<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON , 1997
REGISTRATION NOS. 333-
333-
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
TENNESSEE
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
6712
(PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL
CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)
62-0784645
(I.R.S. EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION NO.)
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
DELAWARE
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
6719
(PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL
CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)
62-6319850
(I.R.S. EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION NO.)
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38150
(901) 523-3242
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF EACH REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
CHARLES NEALE
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38150
(901) 523-3242
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE
NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------
Copies to:
STEVEN KAPLAN, ESQ.
ARNOLD & PORTER
555 TWELFTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================================================================
PROPOSED PROPOSED
MAXIMUM MAXIMUM
AMOUNT OFFERING AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF TO BE PRICE PER OFFERING REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED UNIT PRICE(1) FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Securities of National Commerce Capital Trust I............ $50,000,000 100% $50,000,000 $15,152
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Junior Subordinated Debentures of National Commerce
Bancorporation(2)................................................ -- -- -- --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Commerce Bancorporation Guarantee with respect to Capital
Securities(3).................................................... -- -- -- --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(4)........................................................... $50,000,000(5) 100% $50,000,000(5) $15,152
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 solely for
the purpose of computing the registration fee.
(2) The Junior Subordinated Debentures were originally purchased by National
Commerce Capital Trust I with the proceeds of the sale of the Capital
Securities by National Commerce Capital Trust I. No separate consideration
will be received for the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures
distributed upon any liquidation of National Commerce Capital Trust I.
(3) No separate consideration will be received for the National Commerce
Bancorporation Guarantee.
(4) This Registration Statement is deemed to cover: the Junior Subordinated
Debentures; the rights of holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
under the Indenture; the rights of holders of the Capital Securities under
the Declaration of Trust; the rights of holders of the Capital Securities
under the Guarantee; and certain backup undertakings as described herein.
(5) Such amount represents the initial public offering price of the Capital
Securities to be exchanged hereunder and the principal amount of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed to holders of the Capital
Securities upon any liquidation of National Commerce Capital Trust I.
------------------
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> 2
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY SUCH STATE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION: DATED JUNE 13, 1997
PROSPECTUS
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
OFFER TO EXCHANGE FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES(SM)
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR ANY AND ALL
OUTSTANDING
FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES(SM)
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 PM, NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
National Commerce Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware, together with National Commerce
Bancorporation, a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), as sponsor of the
Trust, hereby offers upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Prospectus (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
the "Prospectus") and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together
constitute the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange up to $50,000,000 aggregate
liquidation amount of its Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities
which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement (as defined herein) of
which this Prospectus constitutes a part, for a like liquidation amount of its
outstanding Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities, of which
$50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount is outstanding. Pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, the Company is also exchanging (i) the Old Guarantee for the
Guarantee and (ii) $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old
Subordinated Debt Securities for $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
New Subordinated Debt Securities. The Guarantee and the Subordinated Debt
Securities have also been registered under the Securities Act. See "Certain
Defined Terms," "Prospectus Summary," "Description of the New Capital
Securities," "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities" and "Description
of the Guarantee."
The terms of the New Capital Securities are identical in all material
respects to the respective terms of the Old Capital Securities, except that (i)
the New Capital Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and
therefore will not be subject to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to
the Old Capital Securities, (ii) the New Capital Securities will not provide for
any increase in the Distribution rate thereon and (iii) the New Subordinated
Debt Securities will not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon.
See "Description of the New Capital Securities" and "Description of the
Subordinated Debt Securities." The New Capital Securities are being offered for
exchange in order to satisfy certain obligations of the Company and the Trust
under the Registration Rights Agreement.
(continued on next page)
SEE "CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS" ON PAGE 4 FOR A GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN CAPITALIZED
TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS WITHOUT DEFINITION.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR CERTAIN
INFORMATION RELEVANT TO HOLDERS WHO TENDER OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES IN THE
EXCHANGE OFFER.
THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The New Capital Securities will be issued, and may be transferred, only in
blocks having a liquidation amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities). Any transfer, sale or other disposition of Capital Securities in a
block having a liquidation amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be
void and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such transferee shall be deemed not
to be the holder of such Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not
limited to the receipt of distributions on such Capital Securities, and such
transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital
Securities.
The date of this Prospectus is , 1997.
LOGO
<PAGE> 3
(cover page continued)
Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties, the Company and the Trust believe that the New Capital Securities
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any holder that is an
"affiliate" of the Company or the Trust as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act), provided that such New Capital Securities are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders are not engaged in,
and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of such New Capital Securities
and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Capital Securities. However, the staff of the
Commission has not considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action
letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would
make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in such other
circumstances. By tendering the Old Capital Securities in exchange for New
Capital Securities, each holder, other than a broker-dealer, will represent to
the Company and the Trust that: (i) it is not an affiliate of the Company or the
Trust (as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act); (ii) any New Capital
Securities to be received by it were acquired in the course of its ordinary
business; and (iii) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of the New Capital Securities and has no arrangement or
understanding to participate in a distribution of the New Capital Securities.
See "Risk Factors--Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities"
and "The Exchange Offer--Resales of New Capital Securities."
Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. The
Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer
in connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in exchange for
Old Capital Securities where such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities. The Company and the Trust have agreed that, starting on the date on
which the Exchange Offer is consummated and ending on the close of business one
year after such date, they will make this Prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of
Distribution."
In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer (as defined herein) who
surrenders Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed
to have agreed, by execution of the Letter of Transmittal, that, upon receipt of
notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the
discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes this
Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of
certain other events specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, such
Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New Capital Securities (or
the Guarantee or the New Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable) pursuant
to this Prospectus until the Company or the Trust has amended or supplemented
this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished
copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such Participating
Broker-Dealer or the Company or the Trust has given notice that the sale of the
New Capital Securities (or the Guarantee or the New Subordinated Debt
Securities, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be.
Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been only a limited secondary market
and no public market for the Old Capital Securities. The New Capital Securities
will be a new issue of securities for which there currently is no market.
Although the Initial Purchasers have informed the Company and the Trust that
they each currently intend to make a market in the New Capital Securities, they
are not obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at
any time without notice. Accordingly there can be no assurance as to the
development or liquidity of any market for the New Capital Securities. Neither
the Company nor the Trust currently intends to apply for listing of the New
Capital Securities on any securities exchange or for quotation through the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.
ii
<PAGE> 4
(cover page continued)
Any Old Capital Securities not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer
will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights and will be
subject to the same limitations applicable thereto under the Declaration (except
for those rights which terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer). Any
Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the
Exchange Offer and the New Capital Securities issued in the Exchange Offer will
vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of
the requisite percentage in outstanding liquidation amount thereof have taken
certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Declaration. Following
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holder of Old Capital Securities will
continue to be subject to all of the existing restrictions upon transfer thereof
and neither the Company nor the Trust will have any further obligation to such
holders (other than under certain limited circumstances) to provide for
registration under the Securities Act of the Old Capital Securities held by
them. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Capital Securities
could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors-- Consequences of a Failure to
Exchange Old Capital Securities."
The New Capital Securities offered hereby represent undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust. The Company has acquired all the Common
Securities. The Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing the Trust
Securities, investing the proceeds thereof in the Subordinated Debt Securities
of the Company, effecting the Exchange Offer, and certain other limited
activities described herein.
THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS
AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO
TENDER THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
Old Capital Securities may be tendered for exchange on or prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on , 1997 (such time on such date being
hereinafter called the "Expiration Date"), unless the Exchange Offer is extended
by the Company and the Trust (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall
mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). Tenders
of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the
Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered for exchange.
However, the Exchange Offer is subject to certain events and conditions which
may be waived by the Company or the Trust and to the terms and provisions of the
Registrations Rights Agreement. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses of
the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--Fees and Expenses." Each New
Capital Security will pay cumulative Distributions from the most recent
Distribution Date of the Old Capital Securities surrendered in exchange for such
New Capital Securities or, if no Distributions have been paid on such Old
Capital Securities, from March 27, 1997. Holders of the Old Capital Securities
whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will not receive
accumulated Distributions on such Old Capital Securities for any period from and
after the last Distribution Payment Date on such Old Capital Securities prior to
the original issue date of the New Capital Securities or, if no such
Distributions have been paid, will not receive any accumulated Distributions on
such Old Capital Securities, and will be deemed to have waived the right to
receive any Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and
after such Distribution Payment Date or, if no such Distributions have been paid
or duly provided for, from and after March 27, 1997. This Prospectus, together
with the Letter of Transmittal, is being sent to all registered holders of Old
Capital Securities as of , 1997.
Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the
issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. No dealer-manager is
being used in connection with this Exchange Offer.
iii
<PAGE> 5
(cover page continued)
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION
WHERE SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO
THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.
iv
<PAGE> 6
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of Sections 13 and
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")
and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
Commission. Any reports and other information filed by the Company with the
Commission may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices in
Chicago, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and in
New York, Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies
of such material may also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants who file electronically with the
Commission. In addition, such reports, proxy statements and other information
can be inspected at NASDAQ, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, on
whose National Market System certain Securities of the Company are traded.
No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included herein.
The Company and the Trust do not consider that such financial statements would
be material to holders of the Capital Securities because the Trust has no
independent operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in
any activity other than holding as trust assets the Subordinated Debt
Securities, issuing the Trust Securities, effecting the Exchange Offer and
engaging in activities necessary or incidental thereto. All of the Common
Securities of the Trust are owned by the Company and the Company's obligations
described herein under the Indenture, the Declaration (including its obligations
to pay costs, expenses, debts and other obligations of the Trust, other than
with respect to the Trust Securities), the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
Guarantee, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee on a
subordinated basis by the Company of amounts due on the Capital Securities. See
"The Trust," "Description of the New Capital Securities," "Description of the
Subordinated Debt Securities" and "Description of the Guarantee." In addition,
the Company does not expect that the Trust will file reports under the Exchange
Act with the Commission.
This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-4
(together with all exhibits thereto, the "Registration Statement") filed by the
Company and the Trust with the Commission under the Securities Act. 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 Commission, and reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement for further information with respect to the Company and the New
Capital Securities. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of
any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is
made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such statement is
qualified in its entirety by such reference.
This Prospectus may contain or incorporate by reference statements which
may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Prospective investors
are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees for
future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results
may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking
statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements
include significant fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, economic
recession, significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory
environment, significant underperformance in the Company's portfolio of
outstanding loans, and competition in the Company's markets. Neither the Company
nor the Trust undertakes any obligation to update or revise forward-looking
statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated
events or changes to future operating results over time.
2
<PAGE> 7
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which have been filed by the Company with the
Commission, are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus: the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of any offering of securities hereunder shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes of the Registration
Statement and this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or
in any subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this
Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "Prospectus" and "herein" mean this
Prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to herein do not purport to
be complete, and where reference is made to the particular provisions of such
contract or other document, such provisions are qualified in all respects by
reference to all of the provisions of such contract or other document.
THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED
HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM
THE COMPANY AT ONE COMMERCE SQUARE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38150 (TELEPHONE NUMBER
(901) 523-3732), ATTENTION: LON MAGNESS. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF
THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY , 1997, FIVE BUSINESS DAYS
PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
3
<PAGE> 8
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Available Information....................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference.............................. 3
Certain Defined Terms....................... 4
Summary..................................... 5
Risk Factors................................ 15
National Commerce Bancorporation............ 20
Selected Consolidated Financial Data........ 22
Accounting Treatment........................ 23
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......... 23
The Trust................................... 24
The Exchange Offer.......................... 25
Description of the New Capital Securities... 33
Description of the Guarantee................ 46
Description of the Subordinated Debt
Securities................................ 48
Effect of Obligations Under the Subordinated
Debt Securities and the Guarantee......... 59
United States Federal Income Taxation....... 60
Plan of Distribution........................ 65
Benefit Plan Considerations................. 65
Legal Matters............................... 67
Experts..................................... 67
</TABLE>
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
As used in this Prospectus, the following terms have the meanings
indicated:
"Capital Securities" means the New Capital Securities and the Old Capital
Securities of the Trust.
"Common Securities" means the common securities of the Trust representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
"Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as
of March 27, 1997, among the Company, the Trust, The Bank of New York, as
institutional trustee, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware trustee, and
the three Administrators named therein, pursuant to which Capital Securities
were, and will be, issued.
"Distribution Payment Date" means the 1st day of January, April, July and
October in each year.
"Guarantee" means the Guarantee Agreement, from the Company in favor of The
Bank of New York, as Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of Capital
Securities, to be issued in exchange for the Old Guarantee.
"Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of March 27, 1997, between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the
holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities and any indenture supplemental
thereto pursuant to which the Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued.
"Interest Payment Date" means the 1st day of January, April, July and
October in each year.
"New Capital Securities" means the $50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount
of Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities to be issued by the Trust
in exchange for Old Capital Securities.
"New Subordinated Debt Securities" means the $50,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2027 to be
issued by the Company to the Trust in exchange for $50,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of Old Subordinated Debt Securities.
"Old Capital Securities" means the $50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount
of Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities issued by the Trust on
March 27, 1997 and having a variable per annum Distribution rate of LIBOR plus
0.98%.
"Old Guarantee" means the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 27, 1997,
from the Company in favor of The Bank of New York, as Guarantee Trustee for the
benefit of the holders of Old Capital Securities.
"Old Subordinated Debt Securities" means the $51,547,000 aggregate
principal amount of Floating Rate Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the
Company to the Trust on March 27, 1997, and having a variable per annum interest
rate of LIBOR plus 0.98%.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of March 27, 1997, among the Trust, the Company, and Salomon Brothers
Inc, as Representative for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Salomon Brothers
Inc as Initial Purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers").
"Subordinated Debt Securities" means the New Subordinated Debt Securities
and the Old Subordinated Debt Securities.
"Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.
4
<PAGE> 9
SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and the financial statements,
including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference
herein. Holders of Old Capital Securities should consider carefully the factors
set forth herein under "Risk Factors." As used in this Prospectus, the "Company"
includes National Commerce Bancorporation and its respective predecessors and
subsidiaries, except as the context otherwise may require.
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) a declaration of trust dated as of March 14, 1997 (the "Initial
Declaration"), and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware
Secretary of State on March 14, 1997. The Trust's business and affairs are
conducted by its trustees: initially, The Bank of New York, as Institutional
Trustee (as defined herein), and The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware
Trustee (as defined herein). The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i)
issuing the Trust Securities, (ii) investing the gross proceeds from the sale of
the Common Securities and the Capital Securities to acquire the Old Subordinated
Debt Securities, (iii) effecting the Exchange Offer, including exchanging up to
$50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old Subordinated Debt Securities
for up to $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the New Subordinated Debt
Securities in the Exchange Offer and (iv) engaging in only those other
activities necessary or incidental thereto. Accordingly, the Subordinated Debt
Securities will be the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under the
Subordinated Debt Securities will be the sole revenues of the Trust. All of the
Common Securities are owned by the Company. The principal place of business of
the Trust is c/o National Commerce Bancorporation, One Commerce Square, Memphis,
Tennessee 38150 (telephone number (901) 523-3242).
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
National Commerce Bancorporation is a registered bank holding company and
owns National Bank of Commerce, Nashville Bank of Commerce, NBC Bank, FSB
(Knoxville) and NBC Bank, FSB (Belzoni). At present, the Company provides its
financial institutions with financial advice and counsel and performs the
record-keeping functions necessary to comply with accounting and regulatory
requirements. The National Bank of Commerce's wholly-owned computer and
broker-dealer subsidiaries, Commerce General Corporation and NBC Capital Markets
Group, Inc., provide data processing and broker-dealer services, respectively.
The Nashville Bank of Commerce's wholly-owned subsidiary, National Commerce Bank
Services, Inc. ("NCBS"), provides in-store banking services. The Company also
owns Commerce Capital Management, Inc. and Brooks, Montague & Associates, Inc.,
which provide investment advisory services, and Commerce Finance Company, a
consumer finance subsidiary. In 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of
TransPlatinum Service Corp., which provides electronic payment systems and data
processing services to the transportation industry.
As of March 31, 1997, the Company had total consolidated assets of
approximately $4.4 billion, total consolidated deposits of approximately $3.0
billion and total consolidated shareholders' equity of approximately $322
million. Consolidated net income for the year ending December 31, 1996 was
approximately $57.5 million and for the quarter ending March 31, 1997 was
approximately $15.1 million.
Largely through its efforts in supermarket banking, the Company has grown
from $1.2 billion in consolidated assets in 1985 to approximately $4.4 billion
in consolidated assets at March 31, 1997. As of March 31, 1997, the Company
operated 109 banking locations throughout Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina,
Georgia and Mississippi. These locations included 17 traditional branches and 92
full service branches inside supermarkets and Wal-Mart Supercenters. The Company
believes that the establishment and operation of bank branches in supermarkets
increases the number of customers to which it has access, and reduces its
occupancy, personnel and other expenses. The Company believes that NCBS enables
it to utilize its knowledge of supermarket banking to generate additional fee
income.
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<PAGE> 10
Through NCBS, the Company has assisted over 200 financial institution
clients establish over 600 in-store branches across the United States. NCBS, the
nation's leading provider of in-store banking programs, provides a full range of
consulting services including design and construction of the in-store branch,
hiring and staffing guidelines, retail sales training, marketing and promotional
support, and goal-setting and performance measurement systems. NCBS has a fee
based structure with fees paid both up front and multi-year consulting and
training services once the branch is in operation.
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from National Bank of
Commerce and the Company's other banking subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Banking Subsidiaries") and affiliates. Because the Company is a bank holding
company, its rights and the rights of its creditors and shareholders, including
the holders of its Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee, to
participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary's
creditors except to the extent that the Company may itself be a creditor having
recognized claims against such subsidiary, in which case it will share in such
subsidiary's assets along with other creditors.
There are various legal and regulatory limitations on the extent to which
the Company's Banking Subsidiaries may extend credit, pay dividends or otherwise
supply funds to the Company. The approval of the Office of The Comptroller of
the Currency is required if total dividends declared by a national bank in any
calendar year should exceed net profits for that year combined with its retained
net profits for the preceding two years. Moreover, banks may not pay dividends
in excess of their undivided profits. In determining whether and to what extent
to pay dividends, each Banking Subsidiary must also consider the effect of
dividend payments on applicable risk-based capital and leverage requirements as
well as policy statements of the federal regulatory agencies to the effect that,
generally, banking organizations should pay dividends out of current operating
earnings. The Company's other Banking Subsidiaries, including its state
chartered bank and its federally chartered savings banks, are subject to similar
restrictions under their respective state and federal laws. While the specific
standards vary, the Company's Banking Subsidiaries are generally permitted to
pay dividends only from net profits, and then, only after first deducting losses
and credit write-offs. All of the applicable statutes prohibit the payment of
dividends if such a payment would impair capital. In addition there are numerous
governmental requirements and regulations which affect the activities of the
Company and its bank and non-bank subsidiaries. See the discussion in Part 1,
Item 1 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 under the
caption "Supervision and Regulation."
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at One Commerce
Square, Memphis, Tennessee 38150 (telephone number (901) 523-3242).
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Exchange Offer......... Up to $50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of
New Capital Securities are being offered in
exchange for a like aggregate liquidation amount
of Old Capital Securities. Old Capital Securities
may be tendered for exchange in whole or in part
in a liquidation amount of $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in
excess thereof. The Company and the Trust are
making the Exchange Offer in order to satisfy
their obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement relating to the Old Capital Securities.
For a description of the procedures for tendering
Old Capital Securities, see "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities."
Expiration Date............ 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ,
1997 (such time on such date being hereinafter
called the "Expiration Date") unless the Exchange
Offer is extended by the Company and the Trust (in
which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean
the latest date and time to which the Exchange
Offer is extended). See "The Exchange Offer--
Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments."
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<PAGE> 11
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer...................... The Exchange Offer is subject to certain
conditions, which may be waived by the Company and
the Trust in their sole discretion. The Exchange
Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities being
tendered. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions to
the Exchange Offer." The Company and the Trust
reserve the right in their sole and absolute
discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time
and from time to time, (i) to delay the acceptance
of the Old Capital Securities for exchange, (ii)
to terminate the Exchange Offer if certain
specified conditions have not been satisfied,
(iii) to extend the Expiration Date of the
Exchange Offer and retain all Old Capital
Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, subject, however, to the right of holders
of Old Capital Securities to withdraw their
tendered Old Capital Securities, or (iv) to waive
any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the
Exchange Offer in any respect. See "The Exchange
Offer--Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments."
Withdrawal Rights.......... Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn
at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date by
delivering a written notice of such withdrawal to
the Exchange Agent (as defined herein) in
conformity with certain procedures set forth below
under "The Exchange Offer-- Withdrawal Rights."
Procedures for Tendering
Old Capital Securities..... Tendering holders of Old Capital Securities must
complete and sign a Letter of Transmittal in
accordance with the instructions contained therein
and forward the same by mail, facsimile or hand
delivery, together with any other required
documents, to the Exchange Agent, either with the
Old Capital Securities to be tendered or in
compliance with the specified procedures for
guaranteed delivery of Old Capital Securities.
Certain brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust
companies and other nominees may also effect
tenders by book-entry transfer. Holders of Old
Capital Securities registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee are urged to contact such person
promptly if they wish to tender Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See
"The Exchange Offer-- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities." Letters of Transmittal and
certificates representing Old Capital Securities
should not be sent to the Company or the Trust.
Such documents should only be sent to the Exchange
Agent. Questions regarding how to tender and
requests for information should be directed to the
Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange Offer--Exchange
Agent."
Resales of New Capital
Securities................. Based on interpretations by the staff of the
Commission as set forth in no-action letters
issued to third parties, the Company and the Trust
believe that holders of Old Capital Securities
(other than any holder that is an "affiliate" of
the Company or the Trust as defined under Rule 405
of the Securities Act) who exchange their Old
Capital Securities for New Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may offer such New
Capital Securities for resale, resell such New
Capital Securities and otherwise transfer such New
Capital Securities
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<PAGE> 12
without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Capital Securities are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders'
business and such holders are not engaged in, and
do not intend to engage in, a distribution of such
New Capital Securities and have no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Capital Securities.
However, the staff of the Commission has not
considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a
no-action letter, and there can be no assurance
that the staff of the Commission would make a
similar determination with respect to the Exchange
Offer. However, any holder of Old Capital
Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Company or
the Trust or who intends to participate in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the
New Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer who
purchased the Old Capital Securities from the
Trust to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
available exemption under the Securities Act, (a)
will not be able to rely on the interpretations of
the Staff set forth in the above-mentioned
interpretive letters, (b) will not be permitted or
entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in
the Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with any sale
or other transfer of such Old Capital Securities
unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption
from such requirements. In addition, as described
below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Capital
Securities acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making or other trading
activities and exchanges such Old Capital
Securities for New Capital Securities, then such
broker-dealer must deliver a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resales of such New Capital
Securities.
Each holder of Old Capital Securities (other than
certain specified holders) who wishes to exchange
Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities
in the Exchange Offer will be required to
represent that (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the
Company or the Trust, (ii) any New Capital
Securities to be received by it are being acquired
in the ordinary course of its business, and (iii)
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to
engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of
the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities
and has no arrangement or understanding to
participate in a distribution of New Capital
Securities. Each broker-dealer that receives New
Capital Securities for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with any resale
of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not
be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based on
the position taken by the Staff in the
interpretive letters referred to above, the
Company and the Trust believe that broker-dealers
who acquired Old Capital Securities for their own
accounts as a result of market-making activities
or other trading activities ("Participating
Broker-Dealers") may fulfill their prospectus
delivery requirements with respect to the New
Capital Securities received upon exchange of such
Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital
Securities which represent an unsold allotment
from the original sale of the Old Capital
Securities) with a prospectus meeting the
8
<PAGE> 13
requirements of the Securities Act, which may be
the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so
long as it contains a description of the plan of
distribution with respect to the resale of such
New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a Participating
Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of New
Capital Securities received in exchange for Old
Capital Securities where such Old Capital
Securities were acquired by such Participating
Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities. Subject
to certain provisions set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement and to the
limitations described below under "The Exchange
Offer--Resales of New Capital Securities," the
Company and the Trust have agreed to allow the
Participating Broker-Dealers to use this
Prospectus in connection with resales of such New
Capital Securities for a period of one year after
the Expiration Date, exclusive of any period when
a stop order is in effect. See "Plan of
Distribution." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who
is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust may
not rely on such interpretive letters and must
comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction. See "The
Exchange Offer--Resales of New Capital
Securities."
Exchange Agent............. The exchange agent with respect to the Exchange
Offer is The Bank of New York (the "Exchange
Agent"). The addresses, and telephone and
facsimile numbers of the Exchange Agent are set
forth in "The Exchange Offer--Exchange Agent" and
in the Letter of Transmittal.
United States Federal
Income Taxation, ERISA
Considerations............. Holders of Old Capital Securities should review
the information set forth under "United States
Federal Income Taxation" and "Benefit Plan
Considerations" prior to tendering Old Capital
Securities in the Exchange Offer.
THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
Securities Offered......... Up to $50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of
the Trust's Floating Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities which have been registered
under the Securities Act (liquidation amount
$1,000 per Capital Security). The New Capital
Securities will be issued, and the Old Capital
Securities were issued, under the Declaration. The
New Capital Securities and any Old Capital
Securities which remain outstanding after
consummation of the Exchange Offer will constitute
a single series of Capital Securities under the
Declaration and, accordingly, will vote together
as a single class for purposes of determining
whether holders of the requisite percentage in
outstanding liquidation amount thereof have taken
certain actions or exercised certain rights under
the Declaration. See "Description of New Capital
Securities--General." The terms of the New Capital
Securities are identical in all material respects
to the terms of the Old Capital Securities, except
that the New Capital Securities have been
registered under the Securities Act and therefore
are not subject to certain restrictions on
transfer applicable to the Old
9
<PAGE> 14
Capital Securities and will not provide for any
increase in the Distribution rate thereon. See
"The Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect of the
Exchange Offer" and "Description of New Capital
Securities."
Distributions.............. Holders of the New Capital Securities are entitled
to receive cumulative cash distributions at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98% on
the liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital
Security, accruing from the original date of
issuance of the Old Capital Securities, and
(subject to the possible extension of distribution
payment periods described below) will be payable
quarterly, in arrears, on the first day of
January, April, July and October of each year,
commencing July 1, 1997. See "Description of the
New Capital Securities--Distributions."
Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period............. The Company has the right, at any time, subject to
certain conditions, to defer payments of interest
on the Subordinated Debt Securities, for Extension
Periods, each not exceeding 20 consecutive
quarterly periods; provided that no Extension
Period may extend beyond the maturity date of the
Subordinated Debt Securities. As a consequence of
the Company's extension of the interest payment
period on the Subordinated Debt Securities,
distributions on the Capital Securities would be
deferred but interest would continue to accrue
during any such Extension Period to the extent
permitted by law. In the event the Company
exercises its right to extend an interest payment
period, then during any Extension Period, subject
to certain exceptions, (i) 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 or
rights to acquire such capital stock or make any
guarantee payments (other than payments on the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee (as
defined herein)) with respect to the foregoing and
(ii) the Company shall not make any payment of
interest on or principal of (or premium, if any,
on), or repay, repurchase or redeem, any debt
securities issued by the Company which rank pari
passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt
Securities. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due,
the Company may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to certain requirements. See "Description
of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Option to
Extend Interest Payment Period." Should an
Extension Period occur with respect to the Capital
Securities, holders of the Capital Securities will
continue to recognize interest income at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98%,
compounded quarterly, for United States federal
income tax purposes notwithstanding the deferred
receipt of payments which accrue during the
Extension Period. As a result, such holders will
be required to include such amounts in gross
income for United States federal income tax
purposes in advance of the receipt of cash, and
such holders will not receive the cash from the
Trust related to such income if such holders
dispose of the Capital Securities prior to the
record date for payment of distributions. See
"United States Federal Income Taxation--US
Holders--Original Issue Discount."
Liquidation................ The Company, as the holder of all of the Common
Securities, has the right at any time to dissolve
the Trust (including, without limitation,
10
<PAGE> 15
upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, a Capital
Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event),
subject to certain conditions (including the
receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve
if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve),
with the result that, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the
extent not satisfied by the Company), the Company
must cause the Subordinated Debt Securities to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities
on a pro rata basis in accordance with the
respective liquidation amounts thereof, in
liquidation of the Trust. In addition, the Trust
will be dissolved and liquidated under certain
other circumstances. See "Description of the New
Capital Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution."
Liquidation Amount......... In the event of the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the Trust, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the
extent not satisfied by the Company) holders of
the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive
$1,000 per Capital Security plus an amount equal
to accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to the
date of payment, unless the Subordinated Debt
Securities are distributed to holders of the Trust
Securities in exchange therefor. If such
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 Capital Securities shall be paid
on a pro rata basis. The holders of the Common
Securities will be entitled to receive
distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata
with the holders of the Capital Securities, except
that if a Declaration Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities
shall have a priority over the Common Securities.
See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution."
Maturity................... Upon the repayment of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, whether at maturity or upon early
redemption as provided in the Indenture, the
proceeds from such repayment will be applied by
the Institutional Trustee to redeem a like amount
of the Trust Securities, upon the terms and
conditions described herein. See "Description of
the New Capital Securities--Redemption."
Optional Redemption........ The Company has the right to redeem the
Subordinated Debt Securities, in whole or in part,
at any time or from time to time, on or after
April 1, 2007, at par, together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the date of redemption, subject
to the Company having received prior approval from
the Federal Reserve if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the
Federal Reserve. See "Description of the
Subordinated Debt Securities--Redemption." Upon
the redemption of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, the proceeds of such redemption will
be applied by the Institutional Trustee to redeem
a like amount of the Trust Securities on a pro
rata basis at the applicable Redemption Price,
upon the terms and conditions described herein.
See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Redemption."
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<PAGE> 16
Tax Event, Capital
Treatment Event and
Investment Company Event
Redemption................. If at any time a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment
Event or an Investment Company Event should occur
and be continuing, the Company may, within 90 days
of the occurrence of such Tax Event, Capital
Treatment Event or Investment Company Event,
redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities in whole
or in part in certain limited circumstances
described herein at a redemption price equal to
par plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
redemption date, subject to the Company having
received prior approval from the Federal Reserve
if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.
Upon the redemption of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, the proceeds of such redemption will
be applied by the Institutional Trustee to redeem
a like amount of the Trust Securities on a pro
rata basis, upon the terms and conditions
described herein. See "Description of the New
Capital Securities--Redemption."
The Guarantee.............. The payment of distributions out of moneys held by
the Trust, payments on liquidation of the Trust
and payment upon the redemption of the Capital
Securities are guaranteed by the Company as
described herein under "Description of the
Guarantee." The Guarantee covers payments of
distributions and other payments on the Capital
Securities only if and to the extent that the
Trust has funds available therefor, which funds
will not be available except to the extent the
Company has made payments of interest or principal
or other payments on the Subordinated Debt
Securities. The Guarantee, when taken together
with the Company's obligations under the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Declaration and
the Indenture (including its obligations to pay
costs, expenses, debts and other liabilities of
the Trust (other than with respect to the Trust
Securities)), provides a full and unconditional
guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company
of amounts due on the Capital Securities. The
Company has also agreed separately to guarantee
the obligations of the Trust with respect to the
Common Securities as described herein under
"Description of the Guarantee--General."
Ranking.................... The Common Securities rank pari passu with, and
payments thereon will be made pro rata with, the
Capital Securities, except that upon the
occurrence and continuation of a Declaration Event
of Default, the rights of the holders of the
Common Securities to receive payment of
distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption or otherwise will be subordinated to
the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities. See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--General." The Subordinated Debt
Securities are unsecured and subordinate and
junior in right of payment to the extent and in
the manner set forth in the Indenture to all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See
"Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities."
The Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Company and will rank
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the
extent and in the manner set forth in the
Guarantee to all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company. The Company's obligations under the
Guarantee and the Subordinated Debt Securities are
also effectively subordinate to claims of
creditors of the Company's subsidiaries. See
"Description of the Guarantee."
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<PAGE> 17
Voting Rights.............. Holders of the Capital Securities have limited
voting rights relating generally to the
modification of the Capital Securities and the
Guarantee and the exercise of the Trust's rights
as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
Holders of the Capital Securities are not entitled
to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee except upon the
occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default (as
defined herein) described herein. See "Description
of the New Capital Securities--Voting Rights" and
"--Removal of the Issuer Trustees; Appointment of
Successors."
Rating..................... The New Capital Securities are expected to be
rated "BBB-" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
("S&P") and "baa1" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's"). A security rating is not a
recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and
may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any
time by the assigning rating organization.
Transfer Restrictions...... The Old Capital Securities were, and the New
Capital Securities will be, issued and may be
transferred only in blocks having a liquidation
amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital
Securities or New Capital Securities, as the case
may be). Any such transfer of the Old Capital
Securities or the New Capital Securities in a
block having a liquidation amount of less than
$100,000 shall be deemed to be void and of no
legal effect whatsoever. See "Description of the
New Capital Securities -- Restrictions on
Transfer."
Subordinated Debt
Securities................. The Trust invested the proceeds from the issuance
of the Old Capital Securities and Common
Securities in an equivalent amount of Old
Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company, up to
$50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of which
will be exchanged for New Subordinated Debt
Securities. The Subordinated Debt Securities
mature on April 1, 2027. The Subordinated Debt
Securities rank subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
In addition, the Company's obligations under the
Subordinated Debt Securities are effectively
subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities and obligations of its subsidiaries.
See "Risk Factors--Ranking of Subordinate
Obligations Under the Guarantee and the
Subordinated Debt Securities", "Risk
Factors--Status of Company as Holding Company" and
"Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--
Subordination."
Benefit Plan
Considerations............. Prospective purchasers must carefully consider the
restrictions on purchase set forth under "Benefit
Plan Considerations."
Form of Capital
Securities................. The Old Capital Securities initially sold to
"qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in
Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in reliance on
Rule 144A under the Securities Act are represented
by a global certificate or certificates registered
in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The
Old Capital Securities initially sold to
institutional "accredited investors" (as defined
in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act) were issued only in fully
registered, certificated form. Beneficial
interests in the New Capital Securities
represented by a global certificate or
certificates will be evidenced by, and transfers
thereof will be effected only through, records
maintained
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<PAGE> 18
by the participants in DTC. Except in the limited
circumstances described herein, the New Capital
Securities in certificated form will not be issued
in exchange for the global certificate or
certificates. See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The
Depository Trust Company."
Trading Price.............. The New Capital Securities are expected to trade
in the secondary market at a price per New Capital
Security plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if
any, to the date of settlement.
For additional information with respect to the New Capital Securities, see
"Description of the New Capital Securities," "Description of the Subordinated
Debt Securities," "Description of the Guarantee" and "United States Federal
Income Taxation."
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should carefully consider the matters set forth under
"Risk Factors."
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<PAGE> 19
RISK FACTORS
Prior to deciding whether to participate in the Exchange Offer, holders of
Old Capital Securities should carefully review the information contained
elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this Prospectus and should
particularly consider the following matters:
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC TRADING MARKET
The Old Capital Securities were issued to, and the Company believes are
currently owned by, a relatively small number of beneficial owners. The Old
Capital Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and will be
subject to restrictions on transferability to the extent that they are not
exchanged for the New Capital Securities. Although the New Capital Securities
will generally be permitted to be resold or otherwise transferred by the holders
(who are not affiliates of the Company or the Trust) without compliance with the
registration requirements under the Securities Act, they will constitute a new
issue of securities with no established trading market. Capital Securities may
be transferred by the holders thereof only in blocks having a liquidation amount
of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital Securities). The Company and the Trust
have been advised by the Initial Purchasers that the Initial Purchasers
presently intend to make a market in the New Capital Securities. However, the
Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do so and any market-making activity
with respect to the New Capital Securities may be discontinued at any time
without notice. In addition, such market-making activity will be subject to the
limits imposed by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and may be limited
during the Exchange Offer. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that an active
public or other market will develop for the New Capital Securities or the Old
Capital Securities or as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the New
Capital Securities or the Old Capital Securities. If an active public market
does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the New Capital Securities
may be adversely affected.
If a public trading market for the New Capital Securities develops, future
trading prices of such securities will depend on many factors, including, among
other things, prevailing interest rates, results of operations and the market
for similar securities. Depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for
similar securities and other factors, including the financial condition of the
Company, the New Capital Securities may trade at a discount.
Notwithstanding the registration of the New Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer, holders who are "affiliates" (as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act) of the Company or the Trust may publicly offer for sale or
resell the New Capital Securities only in compliance with the provisions of Rule
144 under the Securities Act.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own account
in exchange for Old Capital Securities, where such Old Capital Securities were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. See "Plan of
Distribution."
RANKING OF SUBORDINATE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE SUBORDINATED DEBT
SECURITIES
The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee and the Subordinated
Debt Securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present
and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company. No payment of principal of
(including redemption payments, if any) or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities may be made if (i) any Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid
when due and any applicable grace period with respect to such default has ended
with such default not having been cured or waived or ceasing to exist or (ii)
the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated
because of a default. As of March 31, 1997, the Company had $0 of Senior
Indebtedness. There are no terms in the Capital Securities, the Subordinated
Debt Securities or the Guarantee that limit the ability of the Company or its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, liabilities and obligations,
including such indebtedness that ranks senior to the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Guarantee. See "Description of the Guarantee--Status of the
Guarantee" and "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities."
15
<PAGE> 20
Because the Company is a bank holding company, the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Guarantee are effectively subordinated to all existing and
future liabilities, including trade payables, of the Company's subsidiaries,
except to the extent that the Company is a creditor of the subsidiaries
recognized as such. There are also various legal limitations on the extent to
which the Company's Banking Subsidiaries may extend credit, pay dividends or
otherwise supply funds to the Company or various of its affiliates.
GUARANTEE COVERS DISTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER PAYMENTS ONLY TO THE EXTENT THE TRUST
HAS AVAILABLE FUNDS; RELATED REMEDIES
The terms of the Guarantee will be those set forth in the Guarantee and
those made part of the Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
(the "Trust Indenture Act"), under which The Bank of New York will act as
trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"). The Guarantee will be qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The
Guarantee Trustee will hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Capital Securities.
The Guarantee guarantees to the holders of the Capital Securities the
following payments, to the extent not paid by the Trust: (i) any accrued and
unpaid distributions required to be paid on the Capital Securities, to the
extent the Trust has funds available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price,
including all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption, with
respect to the Capital Securities called for redemption by the Trust, to the
extent the Trust has funds available therefor, and (iii) upon a voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust
(other than in connection with the distribution of the Subordinated Debt
Securities to the holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor), the
lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid
distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of the payment, to the
extent the Trust has funds available therefor and (b) the amount of assets of
the Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of the Capital
Securities in liquidation of the Trust. The Guarantee is subordinated as
described under "--Ranking of Subordinate Obligations Under the Guarantee and
the Subordinated Debt Securities." The holders of a majority in liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
Trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the
Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee. A holder of record of the Capital
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to
enforce the Guarantee Trustee's rights without first instituting any legal
proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity. If the Company were to default on its obligation to pay amounts payable
on the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trust would lack available funds for
the payment of distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the Capital
Securities or otherwise, and, in such event, holders of the Capital Securities
would not be able to rely upon the Guarantee for payment of such amounts.
Instead, each holder of the Capital Securities would rely on the enforcement (i)
by the Institutional Trustee of its rights as registered holder of the
Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company pursuant to the terms of the
Subordinated Debt Securities or (ii) by such holder of the Capital Securities of
its right against the Company to enforce payments of principal and interest on
the Subordinated Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to
the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities of such holder. See
"Description of the New Capital Securities," "Description of the Guarantee" and
"Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities." The Declaration provides that
each holder of the Capital Securities, by acceptance thereof, agrees to the
provisions of the Guarantee and the Indenture, including the subordination
provisions thereof.
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
If a Declaration Event of Default with respect to the Trust occurs and is
continuing, then the holders of the Capital Securities would, except as provided
below, rely on the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee of its rights as
holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company. The holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the Capital Securities or
to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional
Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional
Trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as
16
<PAGE> 21
holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. If the Institutional Trustee fails
to enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities after the holders
of a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have so directed
the Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of the Capital Securities may, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, institute a legal proceeding directly
against the Company to enforce the rights of the Institutional Trustee under the
Subordinated Debt Securities, without first instituting any legal proceeding
against such Institutional Trustee or any other person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Declaration 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 Subordinated Debt Securities on the
respective dates such interest or principal is payable, after giving effect to
any Extension Period (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date),
then a holder of record of the Capital Securities may institute directly against
the Company a proceeding for enforcement of payment, on or after the respective
due dates specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities, to such holder directly
of the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action"). In connection with such
Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of
the Capital Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any payment made
by the Company to such holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct Action;
provided, however, that no such subrogation right may be exercised so long as a
Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The holders of the
Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy
available to the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities. See "Description
of the New Capital Securities--Declaration Events of Default."
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS AND CONSEQUENT
DEFERRAL OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
The Company has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
on the Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period, at
any time and from time to time, subject to certain conditions, for Extension
Periods, each not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods, provided that no
Extension Period may extend beyond the stated maturity of the Subordinated Debt
Securities. During each such Extension Period, quarterly distributions on the
Capital Securities would also be deferred (but would continue to accrue at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98%, despite such deferral, with
interest thereon compounded quarterly to the fullest extent permitted by law) by
the Trust. In the event that the Company exercises this right to defer interest
payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities, and such deferral is continuing,
or if there shall have occurred and be continuing any Indenture Event of Default
or if the Company shall be in default with respect to the payment of its
obligations under the Guarantee, (a) the Company shall not declare or pay
dividends on, or make a distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase or
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's
capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of any such
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock in connection with the
satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans,
(ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or rights
to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or
series of capital stock of the Company or rights to acquire such capital stock
for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire
such capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the
Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) dividends
and distributions made on the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock with the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make guarantee payments (other than payments under the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) in respect of the foregoing and
(b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
that rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities. Prior
to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further extend
the interest payment period, provided that each such Extension Period, together
with all such previous and further extensions thereof, may not exceed 20
consecutive quarterly periods or extend beyond the
17
<PAGE> 22
maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Upon the termination of any
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may
commence a new Extension Period, subject to the terms set forth herein. See
"Description of the New Capital Securities" and "Description of the Subordinated
Debt Securities."
During each Extension Period, if any, each holder of the Capital Securities
will continue to accrue income (as original issue discount ("OID")) in respect
of the deferred interest allocable to its Capital Securities for United States
federal income tax purposes, which will be allocated but not distributed. In
such event, each holder of the Capital Securities will recognize income for
United States federal income tax purposes in advance of the receipt of cash, and
will not receive cash related to such income from the Trust if such holder
disposes of its Capital Securities prior to the record date for payment of such
deferred interest. See "United States Federal Income Taxation--US
Holders--Original Issue Discount."
The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. However, should the
Company determine to exercise such right in the future, the market price of the
Capital Securities is likely to be affected. A holder that disposes of its
Capital Securities during an Extension Period, therefore, might not receive the
same return on its investment as a holder that continues to hold its Capital
Securities. In addition, as a result of the existence of the Company's right to
defer interest payments, the market price of the Capital Securities (which
represent undivided beneficial interests in the Subordinated Debt Securities)
may be more volatile than the market price of other similar securities where the
issuer does not have such right to defer interest payments.
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
On February 6, 1997, President Clinton released his budget proposals for
fiscal year 1998. One of the proposals therein (the "President's Proposal")
would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest on certain debt
obligations that have a maximum term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as
indebtedness on the separate balance sheet of the issuer, or, where the
instrument is issued to a related party (other than a corporation), where the
holder or some other related party issues a related instrument that is not shown
as indebtedness on the issuer's consolidated balance sheet. As originally
drafted, the President's Proposal would be effective generally for instruments
issued on or after the date of first Congressional committee action. Although it
is not clear from the President's Proposal what constitutes Congressional
"committee action," it appears that, as drafted, the President's Proposal would
not apply retroactively to the Subordinated Debt Securities. However, if the
President's Proposal (or similar legislation) is enacted with retroactive effect
with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company would not be
entitled to an interest deduction with respect to the Subordinated Debt
Securities.
On June 9, 1997, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer
released his draft proposed Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997 (the "Chairman's
Proposal"). One of the proposals therein would generally deny corporate issuers
a deduction for interest on certain debt obligations that are payable in stock
of the issuer or a related party. The Chairman's Proposal does not contain a
provision substantially similar to the President's Proposal concerning
disallowance of interest deductions on long term debt obligations not treated as
indebtedness on the issuer's balance sheet. Accordingly, the Chairman's Proposal
would not effect the Subordinated Debt Securities.
There can be no assurance that the President's Proposal will not be
enacted, and that, if enacted, it will not apply retroactively to the
Subordinated Debt Securities or that other legislation enacted after the date
hereof will not otherwise adversely affect the ability of the Company to deduct
the interest payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that a Tax Event will not occur. See "Description of the New
Capital Securities--Redemption."
18
<PAGE> 23
REDEMPTION; DISTRIBUTION
The Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities, has
the right at any time (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of a
Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event) to dissolve
the Trust, and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to
the extent not paid by the Company), cause the Subordinated Debt Securities to
be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities on a pro rata basis in
accordance with the respective liquidation amounts thereof, in liquidation of
the Trust. See "Description of the New Capital Securities--Liquidation
Distribution Upon Dissolution." In certain circumstances described herein, the
Company will have the right to redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities, in whole
or in part, in which event the Trust will redeem the Trust Securities having an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities redeemed by the Company on a pro rata basis. The
exercise of such rights is subject to the Company having received prior approval
from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines
or policies of the Federal Reserve. See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Redemption" and "--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."
Under current United States federal income tax law, a distribution of the
Subordinated Debt Securities upon the dissolution of the Trust generally would
not be a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities. However, a
dissolution of the Trust in which holders of the Capital Securities receive cash
would be a taxable event to such holders. See "United States Federal Income
Taxation--US Holders--Receipt of Subordinated Debt Securities or Cash Upon
Liquidation of the Trust."
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Capital
Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities that may be distributed in
exchange for the Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an investor may
purchase, whether pursuant to the offer made hereby or in the secondary market,
or the Subordinated Debt Securities that a holder of the Capital Securities may
receive on dissolution and liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to
the price paid to purchase such Capital Securities. Because the ability of the
Trust to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities is wholly dependent upon the
Company's making payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities as and when
required, and because holders of the Capital Securities may receive the
Subordinated Debt Securities upon dissolution and liquidation of the Trust,
prospective purchasers of the Capital Securities are also making an investment
decision with regard to the Subordinated Debt Securities and should carefully
review all the information regarding the Subordinated Debt Securities contained
herein and evaluate the credit risk of the Company. See "Description of the New
Capital Securities" and "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities."
CONSEQUENCES OF HIGHLY LEVERAGED TRANSACTION
The Indenture does not contain any provisions that afford holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction, including a change of control, or other similar transactions
involving the Company that may adversely affect such holders. See "Description
of the Subordinated Debt Securities."
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of the Capital Securities will have limited voting rights relating
generally to the modification of the Capital Securities and the Guarantee,
mergers and consolidations of the Trust and the exercise of the Trust's rights
as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Holders of the Capital
Securities will not be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee except upon the occurrence of an Indenture Event
of Default described herein. The Institutional Trustee and the holders of a
majority of the Common Securities may amend the Declaration without the consent
of the holders of the Capital Securities to ensure that the Trust will be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and
will not be required to be registered as an investment company under the 1940
Act (as defined herein), even if such action adversely affects the interests of
such holders. See "Description of the
19
<PAGE> 24
New Capital Securities--Voting Rights" and "--Removal of the Issuer Trustees;
Appointment of Successors."
CONSEQUENCES OF A FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the Securities
Act or any state securities laws and therefore may not be offered, sold or
otherwise transferred except in compliance with the registration requirements of
the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws, or pursuant to an
exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto, and in each case in
compliance with certain other conditions and restrictions. Old Capital
Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer
will continue to bear a legend reflecting such restrictions on transfer. In
addition, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital
Securities which remain outstanding will not be entitled to any rights to have
such Old Capital Securities registered under the Securities Act or to any
similar rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (subject to certain
limited exceptions). The Company and the Trust do not intend to register under
the Securities Act any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after
consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to such limited exceptions, if
applicable).
To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Capital Securities
could be adversely affected. In addition, although the Old Capital Securities
have been designated for trading in the Private Offerings, Resale and Trading
through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") market, to the extent that Old Capital
Securities are tendered and accepted in connection with the Exchange Offer, any
trading market for Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after the
Exchange Offer could be adversely affected.
The New Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will constitute a single
series of Capital Securities under the Declaration and, accordingly, will vote
together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the
requisite percentage in outstanding liquidation amount thereof have taken
certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Declaration. See
"Description of the New Capital Securities--General." If, under certain
circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Exchange Offer
is not consummated on or prior to the 210th day following the date of original
issuance of the Old Subordinated Debt Securities and the Old Capital Securities,
interest will accrue (in addition to the stated interest thereon) from and
including the next day following such 210-day period. Such additional interest
(the "Special Payment") will be payable in cash quarterly in arrears on each
Distribution Payment Date, at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal
amount or liquidation amount, as applicable, of the Old Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Old Capital Securities. The aggregate amount of Special
Payment payable pursuant to the above provisions will in no event exceed 0.25%
per annum of the principal amount or the liquidation amount, as applicable, of
the Old Subordinated Debt Securities and the Old Capital Securities. Following
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Old Capital Securities will not be
entitled to any increase in the Distribution rate thereon. The New Capital
Securities will not be entitled to any such increase in the interest rate
thereon. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer."
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
Issuance of the New Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely
receipt by the Exchange Agent of such Old Capital Securities, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents. Therefore, holders of the Old Capital Securities desiring to tender
such Old Capital Securities in exchange for New Capital Securities should allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. The Trust is under no duty to give
notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of Old
Capital Securities for exchange.
20
<PAGE> 25
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
National Commerce Bancorporation is a registered bank holding company and
owns National Bank of Commerce, Nashville Bank of Commerce, NBC Bank, FSB
(Knoxville) and NBC Bank, FSB (Belzoni). At present, the Company provides its
financial institutions with financial advice and counsel and performs the
record-keeping functions necessary to comply with accounting and regulatory
requirements. The National Bank of Commerce's wholly-owned computer and
broker-dealer subsidiaries, Commerce General Corporation and NBC Capital Markets
Group, Inc., provide data processing and broker-dealer services, respectively.
The Nashville Bank of Commerce's wholly-owned subsidiary, NCBS, provides
in-store banking services. The Company also owns Commerce Capital Management,
Inc. and Brooks, Montague & Associates, Inc., which provide investment advisory
services, and Commerce Finance Company, a consumer finance subsidiary. In 1996,
the Company completed the acquisition of TransPlatinum Service Corp., which
provides electronic payment systems and data processing services to the
transportation industry.
As of March 31, 1997, the Company had total consolidated assets of
approximately $4.4 billion, total consolidated deposits of approximately $3.0
billion and total consolidated shareholders' equity of approximately $322
million. Consolidated net income for the year ending December 31, 1996 was
approximately $57.5 million and for the quarter ending March 31, 1997 was
approximately $15.1 million.
Largely through its efforts in supermarket banking, the Company has grown
from $1.2 billion in consolidated assets in 1985 to approximately $4.4 billion
in consolidated assets at March 31, 1997. As of March 31, 1997, the Company
operated 109 banking locations throughout Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina,
Georgia and Mississippi. These locations included 17 traditional branches and 92
full service branches inside supermarkets and Wal-Mart Supercenters. The Company
believes that the establishment and operation of bank branches in supermarkets
increases the number of customers to which it has access, and reduces its
occupancy, personnel and other expenses. The Company believes that NCBS enables
it to utilize its knowledge of supermarket banking to generate additional fee
income.
Through NCBS, the Company has assisted over 200 financial institution
clients establish over 600 in-store branches across the United States. NCBS, the
nation's leading provider of in-store banking programs, provides a full range of
consulting services including design and construction of the in-store branch,
hiring and staffing guidelines, retail sales training, marketing and promotional
support, and goal-setting and performance measurement systems. NCBS has a fee
based structure with fees paid both up front and multi-year consulting and
training services once the branch is in operation.
21
<PAGE> 26
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data contained in the following table
is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the
Company's consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and
other detailed financial information included in the documents incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Total interest income..... $ 79,337 $ 67,250 $ 286,567 $ 246,465 $ 195,120 $ 162,690 $ 160,317
Total interest expense.... 41,480 34,919 151,101 126,440 85,099 62,297 67,698
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest
income:............. 37,857 32,331 135,466 120,025 110,021 100,393 92,619
Provision for loan
losses.................. 3,454 2,842 14,134 9,750 7,077 8,392 12,543
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income after
provision for loan
losses.................. 34,403 29,489 121,332 110,275 102,944 92,001 80,076
Total other income........ 17,595 14,956 70,929 53,868 49,940 52,289 46,519
Total other expenses...... 28,954 24,421 105,169 91,830 87,574 86,082 76,217
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income
taxes................... 23,044 20,024 87,092 72,313 65,310 58,208 50,378
Income taxes.............. 7,929 6,748 29,579 23,278 20,968 18,802 16,385
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income............ $ 15,115 $ 13,276 $ 57,513 $ 49,035 $ 44,342 $ 39,406 $ 33,993
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total cash and cash
equivalents............. $ 206,232 $ 179,579 $ 195,902 $ 387,755 $ 166,433 $ 120,396 $ 325,468
Available-for-sale
securities.............. 724,847 826,984 700,775 516,623 872,379 954,788 (1)
Held-to-maturity
securities.............. 886,277 572,420 817,124 762,023 283,906 17,408 (1)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total securities........ 1,611,124 1,399,404 1,517,899 1,278,646 1,156,285 972,196 676,719
Trading account
securities.............. 45,411 19,763 31,812 20,159 13,507 63,124 36,283
Loans, net of unearned
discounts............... 2,431,322 1,983,881 2,347,973 1,931,213 1,592,806 1,395,830 1,200,603
Less allowance for loan
losses................ 36,739 30,224 35,514 29,010 24,310 21,467 17,356
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net loans............. 2,394,583 1,953,657 2,312,459 1,902,203 1,568,496 1,374,363 1,183,247
Premises and equipment,
net..................... 22,369 18,963 21,799 18,382 17,729 15,388 12,931
Broker/dealer customer
receivables............. 24,808 9,412 11,699 13,444 1,130 23,645 1,142
Other assets.............. 124,635 82,594 108,839 74,453 82,229 51,655 47,752
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets............ $4,429,162 $3,663,372 $4,200,409 $3,695,042 $3,005,809 $2,620,767 $2,283,542
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total deposits.......... $2,966,508 $2,556,362 $2,976,430 $2,574,770 $2,154,390 $1,919,641 $1,771,170
Short-term borrowings and
other liabilities....... 504,769 396,427 358,476 444,413 299,076 289,652 236,241
Federal Home Loan Bank
Advances................ 429,778 405,513 396,109 372,799 321,541 170,025 71,099
Long-term debt............ 205,986 6,381 156,065 6,381 6,383 6,372 6,372
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities....... 4,107,041 3,364,683 3,887,080 3,398,363 2,781,390 2,385,690 2,084,882
Total shareholders'
equity.................. 322,121 298,689 313,329 296,679 224,419 235,077 198,660
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and
shareholders'
equity................ $4,429,162 $3,663,372 $4,200,409 $3,695,042 $3,005,809 $2,620,767 $2,283,542
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
SELECTED PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on assets.......... 1.44% 1.47% 1.51% 1.53% 1.56% 1.65% 1.59%
Return on equity.......... 19.02 18.14 19.44 18.00 18.48 18.68 18.81
Efficiency ratio.......... 49.87 50.25 49.72 51.19 52.69 54.63 54.08
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE> 27
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Net charge-offs to average
loans................... 0.430% 0.333% 0.352% 0.294% 0.281% 0.340% 0.760%
Non-performing assets to
loans and real estate
owned................... 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.004 0.122 0.861
Accruing loans 90 days
delinquent as a
percentage of loans..... 0.182 0.185 0.148 0.168 0.153 0.148 0.155
Loss reserve to loans..... 1.51 1.52 1.51 1.50 1.53 1.54 1.45
CAPITAL RATIOS:
Total capital to
risk-weighted assets.... 13.91% 13.25% 12.30% 13.52% 14.87% 15.02% 14.59%
Tier 1 capital to
risk-weighted assets.... 12.66 12.01 11.05 12.30 13.62 13.77 13.41
Tier 1 capital to total
assets (leverage
ratio).................. 8.33 8.00 7.33 7.91 8.56 8.62 8.70
Average equity to
assets.................. 7.57 8.26 7.76 8.48 8.43 8.84 8.46
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Company was not required to differentiate between securities
available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity prior to January 1, 1993.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
For financial reporting purposes, the Trust will be treated as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the accounts of the
Trust will be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
The Capital Securities will be presented in the consolidated balance sheet of
the Company as a separate line item directly above shareholders' equity under
the caption "Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable Capital Trust Pass-through
Securities of Subsidiary Trust holding solely a Company-Guaranteed Related
Subordinated Debt" and appropriate disclosures about the Capital Securities, the
Guarantee and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be included in the notes to
the consolidated financial statements. For financial reporting purposes, the
Company will record distributions payable on the Capital Securities as an
expense in its consolidated statements of income.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following unaudited table presents the consolidated ratio of earnings
to fixed charges of the Company. The consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed
charges has been computed by dividing income before income taxes, the cumulative
effect of changes in accounting principles and fixed charges by fixed charges.
Fixed charges represent all interest expense (ratios are presented both
excluding and including interest on deposits), amortization of notes and
debentures expense and the portion of net rental expense which is deemed to be
equivalent to interest on debt. Interest expense (other than on deposits)
includes interest on notes and
23
<PAGE> 28
debentures, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
repurchase, mortgages, commercial paper and other funds borrowed:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH
31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------- ------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings to Fixed Charges:
Excluding Interest on Deposits........ 5.18x 5.39x 5.33x 6.37x 6.44x 8.55x 11.28x
Including Interest on Deposits........ 1.55x 1.57x 1.57x 1.56x 1.75x 1.91x 1.73x
</TABLE>
There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding during any of the
periods above indicated.
THE TRUST
The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) the Declaration and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust for the
Trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 14, 1997. The Trust's
business and affairs are conducted by its trustees. Pursuant to the Declaration,
one trustee of the Trust maintains its principal place of business in the State
of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee") and one trustee is a financial institution
that is unaffiliated with the Company and is eligible and act as institutional
trustee, as indenture trustee pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and as
guarantee trustee pursuant to the terms of the Guarantee (the "Institutional
Trustee" and together with the Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees"). The
Bank of New York is acting as the Institutional Trustee and The Bank of New York
(Delaware) is acting as the Delaware Trustee. In addition, three individuals who
are employees or officers of or affiliated with the holder of the majority of
the Common Securities serve as administrators with respect to the Trust (the
"Administrators"). The Administrators were selected by the holders of a majority
of the Common Securities. See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Miscellaneous." The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i)
issuing the Trust Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust, (ii) investing the gross proceeds of such Trust Securities
in the Old Subordinated Debt Securities, (iii) effecting the Exchange Offer,
including exchanging up to $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old
Subordinated Debt Securities for up to $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
the New Subordinated Debt Securities and (iv) engaging in only those other
activities necessary or incidental thereto. All of the Common Securities of the
Trust are directly owned by the Company. The Common Securities of the Trust rank
pari passu, and payments will be made thereon on a pro rata basis, with the
Capital Securities of the Trust, except that upon the occurrence and
continuation of a Declaration Event of Default, the rights of the holders of the
Common Securities to payment from the Trust in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the
rights of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Company acquired the Common
Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to approximately 3% of the
total capital of the Trust. The Trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but
may earlier dissolve as provided in the Declaration. The Company, as the holder
of all of the outstanding Common Securities, has the right at any time to
dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of a Tax
Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event) and, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, cause the Subordinated
Debt Securities to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities on a
pro rata basis in accordance with the respective liquidation amounts thereof, in
liquidation of the Trust.
The Institutional Trustee holds title to the Subordinated Debt Securities
for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities and has the power to
exercise all rights, powers and privileges under the Indenture as the holder of
the Subordinated Debt Securities. In addition, the Institutional Trustee
maintains exclusive control of a separate, segregated, non-interest bearing
trust account (the "Property Account") to hold all payments made in respect of
the Subordinated Debt Securities for the benefit of the holders of the Trust
Securities issued by the Trust. The Institutional Trustee will make payments of
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption and otherwise to the
holders of record of the Trust Securities out of funds from the Property
Account. Holders of the Capital Securities are not entitled to appoint, remove
or replace the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee except upon the
occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default.
24
<PAGE> 29
See "Description of the New Capital Securities--Voting Rights" and "--Removal of
the Issuer Trustees; Appointment of Successors." The Company, as borrower under
the Indenture, has agreed to pay all costs, expenses, debts and other
obligations related to the Trust (other than in respect of the Trust Securities)
and the offering of the New Capital Securities. See "Description of the
Subordinated Debt Securities-- Miscellaneous." The rights of the holders of the
Capital Securities of the Trust, including economic rights, rights to
information and voting rights, are set forth in the Declaration, the Delaware
Business Trust Act, as amended (the "Trust Act"), and the Trust Indenture Act.
See "Description of the New Capital Securities."
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
In connection with the sale of the Old Capital Securities, the Company and
the Trust entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial
Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company and the Trust agreed, among other
things, to file and to use their best efforts to cause to become effective with
the Commission a registration statement with respect to the exchange of the Old
Capital Securities for capital securities which have been registered under the
Securities Act with terms identical in all material respects to the terms of the
Old Capital Securities. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been
filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part.
The Exchange Offer is being made to satisfy the contractual obligations of
the Company and the Trust under the Registration Rights Agreement. The form and
terms of the New Capital Securities are the same as the form and terms of the
Old Capital Securities, except that the New Capital Securities have been
registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject to certain
restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities and will not
provide for any increase in the Distribution rate thereon. In that regard, if,
under certain circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 210th day following the
date of original issuance of the Old Subordinated Debt Securities and the Old
Capital Securities, interest will accrue (in addition to the stated interest
thereon) from and including the next day following such 210-day period. Such
Special Payment will be payable in cash quarterly in arrears on each
Distribution Payment Date, at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal
amount or liquidation amount, as applicable, of the Old Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Old Capital Securities. The aggregate amount of Special
Payment payable pursuant to the above provisions will in no event exceed 0.25%
per annum of the principal amount or the liquidation amount, as applicable, of
the Old Subordinated Debt Securities and the Old Capital Securities. Upon
consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital Securities that
remain outstanding will not be entitled to any increase in the Distribution rate
thereon or any further registration rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement, except under limited circumstances. See "Risk Factors--Consequences
of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities."
The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Company or the Trust
accept tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Capital Securities in any
jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be
in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "holder" with respect to
the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Capital Securities are
registered on the books of the Trust or any other person who has obtained a
properly completed bond power from the registered holder, or any person whose
Old Capital Securities are held of record by The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") who desires to deliver such Old Capital Securities by book-entry
transfer at DTC. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company will exchange as
soon as practicable after the date hereof, the Old Guarantee for the Guarantee
and $50 million aggregate principal amount of the Old Subordinated Debt
Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of the New Subordinated Debt
Securities. The Guarantee and New Subordinated Debt Securities have also been
registered under the Securities Act.
25
<PAGE> 30
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE
The Company and the Trust hereby offer, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal, to exchange up to $50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of New
Capital Securities for a like aggregate liquidation amount of Old Capital
Securities properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined
below) and not properly withdrawn in accordance with the procedures described
below. The Trust will issue, promptly after the Expiration Date, an aggregate
liquidation amount of up to $50,000,000 of New Capital Securities in exchange
for a like principal amount of outstanding Old Capital Securities tendered and
accepted in connection with the Exchange Offer. Holders may tender their Old
Capital Securities in whole or in part in a liquidation amount of not less than
$100,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum liquidation amount
of Old Capital Securities being tendered. As of the date of this Prospectus,
$50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of the Old Capital Securities is
outstanding. Holders of Old Capital Securities do not have any appraisal or
dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Capital Securities
which are not tendered for or are tendered but not accepted in connection with
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of
the Declaration, but will not be entitled to any further registration rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances. See
"Risk Factors--Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities."
If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not accepted for exchange
because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth
herein or otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Capital Securities
will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder thereof promptly
after the Expiration Date.
Holders who tender Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange
Offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to
the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to
the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer.
The Company will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable
taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange Offer. See "--Fees and
Expenses."
NEITHER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY NOR THE ADMINISTRATORS OR TRUSTEES
OF THE TRUST MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AS TO
WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN
AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TO TENDER AFTER
READING THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CONSULTING WITH THEIR
ADVISERS, IF ANY, BASED ON THEIR OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ,
1997 unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company and the Trust (in
which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended). The Company and the Trust expressly
reserve the right in their sole and absolute discretion, subject to applicable
law, at any time and from time to time, (i) to delay the acceptance of the Old
Capital Securities for exchange, (ii) to terminate the Exchange Offer (whether
or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange)
if the Company and the Trust determine, in their sole and absolute discretion,
that any of the events or conditions referred to under "--Conditions to the
Exchange Offer" have occurred or exist or have not been satisfied, (iii) to
extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain all Old Capital
Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the
right of holders of Old Capital Securities to withdraw their tendered Old
Capital Securities as described under "--Withdrawal Rights," and (iv) to waive
26
<PAGE> 31
any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect.
If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by the Company and the
Trust to constitute a material change, or if the Company and the Trust waive a
material condition of the Exchange Offer, the Company or the Trust will promptly
disclose such amendment or waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will
be distributed to the registered holders of the Old Capital Securities, and the
Company and the Trust will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by
Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act.
Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be
followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and by
making a public announcement thereof, and such announcement in the case of an
extension will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting
the manner in which the Company or the Trust may choose to make any public
announcement and subject to applicable law, neither the Company nor the Trust
shall have any obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any
such public announcement other than by issuing a release to an appropriate news
agency.
ACCEPTANCE FOR EXCHANGE AND ISSUANCE OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
Company and the Trust will exchange, and will issue to the Exchange Agent, New
Capital Securities for Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn
(pursuant to the withdrawal rights described under "--Withdrawal Rights")
promptly after the Expiration Date.
In all cases, delivery of New Capital Securities in exchange for Old
Capital Securities tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (i) Old
Capital Securities or a book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old
Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, (ii) the Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees, and (iii) any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal.
The term "book-entry confirmation" means a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Company and
the Trust will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged,
Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if and when the
Company or the Trust gives oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent of the
Company's and the Trust's acceptance of such Old Capital Securities for exchange
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the
Company and the Trust for the purpose of receiving tenders of Old Capital
Securities, Letters of Transmittal and related documents, and as agent for
tendering holders for the purpose of receiving Old Capital Securities, Letters
of Transmittal and related documents and transmitting New Capital Securities to
validly tendering holders. Such exchange will be made promptly after the
Expiration Date. If for any reason whatsoever, acceptance for exchange or the
exchange of any Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer
is delayed (whether before or after the Company's and the Trust's acceptance for
exchange of Old Capital Securities) or the Company or the Trust extends the
Exchange Offer or is unable to accept for exchange or exchange Old Capital
Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then, without prejudice to
the Company's or the Trust's rights set forth herein, the Exchange Agent may,
nevertheless, on behalf of the Company and the Trust and subject to Rule
14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old Capital Securities and such
Old Capital Securities may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering
holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described under "--Withdrawal
Rights."
Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, a holder of Old Capital Securities
will warrant and agree in the Letter of Transmittal that it has full power and
authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer Old Capital Securities,
that the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the
tendered Old Capital Securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions,
charges and encumbrances, and the Old Capital Securities tendered for exchange
are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The holder also will warrant
and agree that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company,
27
<PAGE> 32
the Trust or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the
exchange, sale, assignment, and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
Valid Tender. Except as set forth below, in order for Old Capital
Securities to be validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with
any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must be
received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "--Exchange
Agent," and either (i) tendered Old Capital Securities must be received by the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (ii) such Old Capital
Securities must be tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer
set forth below and a book-entry confirmation must be received by the Exchange
Agent, in each case on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth below must be complied with.
If less than all of a tendering holder's Old Capital Securities are
tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the amount of Old Capital
Securities being tendered in the appropriate box on the Letter of Transmittal.
The entire amount of Old Capital Securities delivered to the Exchange Agent will
be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER, AND
DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY
INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
Book-entry Transfer. The Exchange Agent will establish an account with
respect to the Old Capital Securities at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer
within two business days after the date of this Prospectus. Any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC's book-entry transfer facility system
may make a book-entry delivery of the Old Capital Securities by causing DTC to
transfer such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in
accordance with DTC's procedures for transfers. However, although delivery of
Old Capital Securities may be effected through book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees and any other required documents, must in any case be delivered to
and received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "--Exchange
Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed delivery procedure
set forth below must be complied with.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH DTC'S PROCEDURES DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
Signature Guarantees. Certificates for the Old Capital Securities need not
be endorsed and signature guarantees on the Letter of Transmittal are
unnecessary unless (a) a certificate for the Old Capital Securities is
registered in a name other than that of the person surrendering the certificate
or (b) such registered holder completes the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal.
In the case of (a) or (b) above, such certificates for Old Capital Securities
must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed bond power, with the
endorsement or signature on the bond power and on the Letter of Transmittal
guaranteed by a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Exchange Act as an "eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms
are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities
broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association (an "Eligible Institution"), unless surrendered
on behalf of such Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to the Letter of
Transmittal.
Guaranteed Delivery. If a holder desires to tender Old Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the certificates for such Old Capital
Securities are not immediately available or time will not permit
28
<PAGE> 33
all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or before the Expiration
Date, or the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis, such Old Capital Securities may nevertheless be tendered, provided that
all of the following guaranteed delivery procedures are complied with: (i) such
tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly
completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the
form accompanying the Letter of Transmittal, is received by the Exchange Agent,
as provided below, on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the
certificates (or a book-entry confirmation) representing all tendered Old
Capital Securities, in proper form for transfer, together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with
any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the Letter
of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent within five New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery. The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, or
transmitted by facsimile or mail, to the Exchange Agent and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the delivery of New Capital
Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will in all cases be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of Old Capital Securities, or of a
book-entry confirmation with respect to such Old Capital Securities, and a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), together with any required signature guarantees and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Accordingly, the delivery of
New Capital Securities might not be made to all tendering holders at the same
time, and will depend upon when Old Capital Securities, book-entry confirmations
with respect to Old Capital Securities and other required documents are received
by the Exchange Agent.
The acceptance by the Company and the Trust for exchange of Old Capital
Securities tendered pursuant to any of the procedures described above will
constitute a binding agreement among the tendering holder, the Company and the
Trust upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
Determination of Validity. All questions as to the form of documents,
validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of
any tendered Old Capital Securities will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in their
sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by them
not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in
the view of counsel to the Company and the Trust, be unlawful. The Company and
the Trust also reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive
any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer as set forth under "--Conditions to
the Exchange Offer" or any condition or irregularity in any tender of Old
Capital Securities of any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or
irregularities are waived in the case of other holders.
The Company's and the Trust's interpretation of the terms and conditions of
the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions
thereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Capital Securities will be
deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such
tender have been cured or waived. Neither the Company, the Trust, any affiliates
or assigns of the Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person
shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in
tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.
If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney,
or any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such person should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company or
the Trust, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company or the Trust, in their
sole discretion, of such person's authority to so act must be submitted.
A beneficial owner of Old Capital Securities that are held by or registered
in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
or custodian is urged to contact such entity promptly if such beneficial holder
wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer.
29
<PAGE> 34
RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission as set forth in
no-action letters issued to third parties, the Company and the Trust believe
that holders of Old Capital Securities (other than any holder that is an
"affiliate" of the Company or the Trust as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act) who exchange their Old Capital Securities for New Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may offer such New Capital Securities
for resale, resell such New Capital Securities and otherwise transfer such New
Capital Securities without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Capital
Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and
such holders are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution
of such New Capital Securities and have no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of such New Capital Securities.
However, the staff of the Commission has not considered the Exchange Offer in
the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff
of the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the
Exchange Offer. However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who is an
"affiliate" of the Company or the Trust or who intends to participate in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing New Capital Securities, or any
broker-dealer who purchased Old Capital Securities from the Trust to resell
pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act,
(a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the Staff of the
Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will not
be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange
Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer
of such Old Capital Securities unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption
from such requirements. In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer
holds Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital
Securities for New Capital Securities, then such broker-dealer must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resales of such New Capital Securities.
Each holder of Old Capital Securities (other than certain specified
holders) who wishes to exchange them for New Capital Securities in the Exchange
Offer will be required to represent that: (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the
Company or the Trust; (ii) any New Capital Securities to be received by it are
being acquired in the ordinary course of its business; and (iii) it is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning
of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities and has no arrangement or
understanding to participate in a distribution of New Capital Securities. In
addition, the Company and the Trust may require such holder, as a condition to
such holder's eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to
the Company and the Trust (or an agent thereof) in writing information as to the
number of "beneficial owners" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) on behalf of whom such holder holds the Capital Securities to be
exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital
Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position taken by the Staff in the
interpretive letters referred to above, the Company and the Trust believe that
broker-dealers who acquired Old Capital Securities for their own accounts as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities may fulfill their
prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the New Capital Securities
received upon exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital
Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old
Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities
Act, which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it
contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of
such New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
during the period referred to below in connection with resales of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to
certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
and the Trust have agreed to allow the Participating Broker-Dealers to use
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this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, in
connection with resales of such New Capital Securities for a period of one year
after the Expiration Date. See "Plan of Distribution." Any Participating
Broker-Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust may not rely on
such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction.
In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed, by
execution of the Letter of Transmittal, that, upon receipt of notice from the
Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact
which makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes this Prospectus to
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, such Participating Broker-Dealer
will suspend the sale of New Capital Securities (or the Guarantee or the New
Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable) pursuant to this Prospectus until
the Company or the Trust has amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct
such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or
supplemented Prospectus to such Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company or
the Trust has given notice that the sale of the New Capital Securities (or the
Guarantee or the New Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable) may be
resumed, as the case may be.
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities may
be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile
transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to
the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the
person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the aggregate
liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and (if
certificates for such Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Old Capital
Securities, if different from that of the person who tendered such Old Capital
Securities. If Old Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on
the particular Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the signature on the
notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in
the case of Old Capital Securities tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "--Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities," then the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and
number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old Capital
Securities, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered
to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission.
Withdrawals of tenders of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old
Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be re-tendered at any subsequent time on
or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described
above under "--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. Neither the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any
duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal
or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Old
Capital Securities which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be
returned to the holder thereof promptly after withdrawal.
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted
for exchange will not receive accumulated Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities for any period from and after the last Distribution
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Payment Date with respect to such Old Capital Securities prior to the original
issue date of the New Capital Securities or, if no such Distributions have been
made, will not receive any accumulated Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities, and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any
Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and after such
Distribution Payment Date or, if no such Distributions have been made, from and
after March 27, 1997. However, because Distributions on the New Capital
Securities will accumulate from such date, the amount of the Distributions
received by holders whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will
not be affected by the exchange.
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any
extension of the Exchange Offer, the Trust will not be required to accept for
exchange, or to exchange, any Old Capital Securities for any New Capital
Securities, and, as described below, may terminate the Exchange Offer (whether
or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange)
or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if there shall occur
a change in the current interpretation by the Staff which permits the New
Capital Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old
Capital Securities to be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by
holders thereof (other than broker-dealers and any such holder which is an
"affiliate" of the Company or the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Capital Securities are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have
no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Capital Securities.
If the Company and the Trust determine in their sole and absolute
discretion that the foregoing event has occurred, the Company and the Trust may,
subject to applicable law, terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old
Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange) or may waive any
such condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any
respect. If such waiver or amendment constitutes a material change to the
Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust will promptly disclose such amendment
or waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the
registered holders of the Old Capital Securities, and the Company and the Trust
will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act.
EXCHANGE AGENT
The Bank of New York has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange
Offer. Delivery of the Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents,
questions, requests for assistance, and requests for additional copies of this
Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange
Agent as follows:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 7E
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Reorganization Section
Telephone: (212) 815-6333
Facsimile: (212) 571-3080
Delivery to other than the above address or facsimile number will not
constitute a valid delivery.
FEES AND EXPENSES
The Company has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary
fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses in connection therewith. The Company will also pay brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus and related documents
to the beneficial owners of Old Capital Securities, and in handling or tendering
for their customers.
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Holders who tender their Old Capital Securities for exchange will not be
obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, New
Capital Securities are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of,
any person other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities
tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange
of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any
other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence
of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter
of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering holder.
Neither the Company nor the Trust will make any payment to brokers, dealers
or others soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
The Old Capital Securities have been issued and the New Capital Securities
will be issued pursuant to the terms of the Declaration. The Institutional
Trustee, The Bank of New York, acts as trustee for the Capital Securities under
the Declaration. The terms of the Capital Securities include those stated in the
Declaration and those made part of the Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act
and the Trust Act. The Declaration will be qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act upon effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect
to the Capital Securities. See "The Exchange Offer." The following summary of
the material terms and provisions of the Capital Securities does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the Declaration (a copy of which may be obtained from the Company or the Trust),
the Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act.
GENERAL
The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the Trust. All of the Common Securities are owned by the Company. The Common
Securities have equivalent terms to and rank pari passu, and payments will be
made thereon on a pro rata basis, with the Capital Securities, except that upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of a Declaration Event of Default, the
rights of the holders of the Common Securities to receive payment of periodic
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Capital Securities. The
Declaration does not permit the issuance by the Trust of any securities other
than the Trust Securities or the incurrence of any indebtedness by the Trust.
The Institutional Trustee holds legal title to the Subordinated Debt Securities
for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities. The payment of
distributions out of money held by the Trust, and payments upon redemption of
the Capital Securities upon liquidation of the Trust, are guaranteed by the
Company as described under "Description of the Guarantee." The Guarantee is held
by The Bank of New York, the Guarantee Trustee (as defined herein), for the
benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Guarantee does not cover
payment of distributions in respect of the Capital Securities to the extent the
Trust does not have available funds to pay distributions. In such event, the
remedy of holders of the Capital Securities would be, through the vote of
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, to direct
the Institutional Trustee to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under
the Subordinated Debt Securities except in the circumstances in which a holder
of such Capital Securities may take Direct Action. See "--Voting Rights" and
"--Declaration Events of Default."
DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions on each Capital Security will be payable in U.S. dollars at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98% (which is the same rate payable
on the Subordinated Debt Securities) on the liquidation amount of $1,000 per
Capital Security, compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law. The term
"distribution" as used herein includes cash distributions and any such
compounded distributions payable unless otherwise stated. The amount of
distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed in a year of twelve 30-day months.
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Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the date of original issuance of the Old Capital Securities, and will be
payable (subject to extension of distribution payment periods as described
herein) quarterly in arrears on each Distribution Payment Date, commencing July
1, 1997, when, as and if available for payment. Distributions will be made by
the Institutional Trustee, except as otherwise described below.
The Company has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
on the Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period at
any time and from time to time, subject to the conditions described below,
although such interest will continue to accrue on the Subordinated Debt
Securities at a variable annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly
to the extent permitted by law during any Extension Period. If such right is
exercised, quarterly distributions on the Capital Securities will also be
deferred (though such distributions will continue to accrue at a variable annual
rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by
law) during any such Extension Period. Such right to extend any interest payment
period for the Subordinated Debt Securities is limited to Extension Periods,
each not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods, and no Extension Period may
be initiated while accrued interest from a prior, completed Extension Period is
unpaid or while the Company is in default on the payment of interest that has
become due and payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities, and no Extension
Period may extend beyond the maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. In
the event that the Company exercises this right, then during any Extension
Period (a) the Company shall not declare or pay dividends on, make a
distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock or rights to
acquire such capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares
of any such capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock in connection
with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee
benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital
stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of
one class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or
rights to acquire such capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests
in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,
(iv) dividends and distributions made on the Company's capital stock or rights
to acquire such capital stock with the Company's capital stock or rights to
acquire such capital stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make guarantee payments (other than payments under
the Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing
and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by
the Company that rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt
Securities. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period in respect of
the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company may further extend the interest
payment period; provided that each such Extension Period in respect of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, together with all such previous and further
extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or extend
beyond the maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Upon the termination of
any Extension Period in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
payment of all amounts then due, the Company may commence a new Extension
Period, subject to the above requirements. See "Description of the Subordinated
Debt Securities-- Interest," "--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and
"--Certain Covenants." If distributions are deferred, the distributions due on
such Capital Securities shall be paid on the date that the related Extension
Period terminates, or, if such date is not a Distribution Payment Date, on the
immediately following Distribution Payment Date, to holders of applicable
Capital Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the
record date immediately preceding such date.
Distributions on the Capital Securities must be paid on the dates payable
(after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has
funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account.
The Trust's funds available for distribution to the holders of the Capital
Securities will be limited to payments received from the Company on the
Subordinated Debt Securities. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt
Securities." The payment of distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is
guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth under "Description of the
Guarantee."
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Distributions on the Capital Securities will be payable to the holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant
record dates, which, as long as the Capital Securities are held solely in
book-entry only form, will be one Business Day (as defined below) prior to the
relevant payment dates. Such distributions will be paid through the
Institutional Trustee who will hold amounts received in respect of the
Subordinated Debt Securities in the Property Account for the benefit of the
holders of the Trust Securities. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations
and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment will be made as
described under "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company." At
any time when the Capital Securities are not held solely in book-entry only
form, the Administrators shall select record dates, which shall be the 15th day
of the month next preceding the month containing the relevant payment date. In
the event that any date on which distributions are to be made on the Capital
Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the distributions payable on
such date will 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) with the
same force and effect as if made on such payment date. A "Business Day" shall
mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking
institutions in New York City (in the State of New York) and Memphis (in the
State of Tennessee) are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.
REDEMPTION
The Subordinated Debt Securities will mature on April 1, 2027. The
Subordinated Debt Securities may be redeemed by the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time and from time to time on or after April 1, 2007, at par, plus
accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. In addition, the
Subordinated Debt Securities may be redeemed by the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time in certain circumstances described herein, upon the occurrence
and continuation of a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment
Company Event, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event,
Capital Treatment Event or Investment Company Event, as the case may be, at par,
together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption,
upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice to holders of such
Subordinated Debt Securities. In each case, the right of the Company to redeem
the Subordinated Debt Securities is subject to the Company having received prior
approval from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.
Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in part of
the Subordinated Debt Securities (other than following the distribution of the
Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of the Trust Securities), the
proceeds from such repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem
on a pro rata basis at the applicable Redemption Price, Trust Securities having
an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities so repaid or redeemed; provided, however, that
holders of such Trust Securities shall be given not less than 30 nor more than
60 days' notice of such redemption (other than at the scheduled maturity of the
Subordinated Debt Securities). See "Description of the Subordinated Debt
Securities--Redemption." In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding
Capital Securities are to be redeemed, the Capital Securities held in book-entry
form will be redeemed in accordance with the procedures of DTC as described
under "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company."
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Institutional Trustee of an opinion of
a nationally recognized independent tax counsel to the Company experienced in
such matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to,
clarification of 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, (b) any judicial decision or
official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or
announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such
procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action") or (c) any amendment to,
clarification of or change in the administrative position or interpretation of
any Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the theretofore
generally accepted position, in each case, by any legislative body, court,
governmental agency or regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which such
amendment, clarification or change is made known, which amendment, clarification
or change is effective or such Administrative Action or decision is announced,
in each case, on or after March 20, 1997, there is more than an insubstantial
risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be
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within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States federal income tax
with respect to interest accrued or received on the Subordinated Debt Securities
or subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other
governmental charges, or (ii) any portion of interest payable by the Company to
the Trust on the Subordinated Debt Securities is not, or within 90 days of the
date thereof will not be, deductible by the Company for United States federal
income tax purposes, or (iii) the Company could become liable to pay, on the
next date on which any amount would be payable with respect to the Subordinated
Debt Securities, any Additional Interest (as defined herein).
"Capital Treatment Event" means the Company shall have received an opinion
of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws (or any rules or regulations thereunder) of the
United States or any rules, guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (b)
any official or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or such pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after
March 20, 1997, the Company will not be entitled to treat the Capital Securities
or the Subordinated Debt Securities, if the Subordinated Debt Securities were to
be distributed following the occurrence of a Tax Event as described in the
proviso to this paragraph, as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the equivalent thereof) for
purposes of the risk-based capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve,
as then in effect and applicable to the Company; provided, however, that the
distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities in connection with the
liquidation of the Trust by the Company shall not in and of itself constitute a
Capital Treatment Event.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Institutional Trustee
of an opinion of counsel rendered by a law firm having a nationally recognized
securities 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 ("Change in 1940 Act Law"), the Trust is or will be considered an
"investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), which Change in 1940 Act Law
becomes effective or is announced, enacted or promulgated on or after March 20,
1997.
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
The Trust may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Capital
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid distributions have been paid on all
such Capital Securities for all quarterly distribution periods terminating on or
prior to the date of redemption.
If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the Capital
Securities (which notice will be irrevocable), then by 12:00 noon, New York City
time, on the redemption date, provided that the Institutional Trustee has a
sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity
of the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Institutional Trustee will irrevocably
deposit with the Depositary (as defined herein) or its nominee funds sufficient
to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give the Depositary irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay such Redemption Price to the holders of such
Capital Securities. See "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust
Company." With respect to the Capital Securities that are Certificated
Securities (as defined herein), provided that the Company has paid to the
Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related
redemption or maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Institutional
Trustee will pay the applicable Redemption Price to the holders of such Capital
Securities by check mailed to the address of each such holder appearing on the
books and records of the Trust on the redemption date. If notice of redemption
shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then, immediately prior
to the close of business on the date of such deposit, distributions will cease
to accrue on the Capital Securities and all rights of holders of such Capital
Securities will cease, except the right of the holders of such Capital
Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price but without interest on
such Redemption Price. In the event that any date fixed for redemption of the
Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business
Day (without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with
the same force and effect as if made on such date, except that, if such Business
Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day. In the event that payment of the Redemption
Price in respect of the Capital Securities is improperly withheld or refused and
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not paid either by the Institutional Trustee or by the Company pursuant to the
Guarantee, distributions on such Capital Securities will continue to accrue at
the then applicable rate from the original redemption date to the actual date of
payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed
for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding Capital Securities are
to be redeemed, Capital Securities will be redeemed on a pro rata basis in
accordance with the procedures of DTC as described under "--Book-Entry Only
Issuance--The Depository Trust Company."
In the event of any redemption of the Capital Securities in part, the Trust
shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any
Certificated Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
days before any selection for redemption of the Capital Securities and ending at
the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of
redemption is deemed to have been given to all holders of the Capital Securities
to be so redeemed or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Certificated
Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the
unredeemed portion of any Certificated Securities being redeemed in part.
Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation,
United States federal securities laws), the Company or its subsidiaries may at
any time, and from time to time, purchase outstanding Capital Securities by
tender, in the open market or by private agreement.
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION
In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up or termination of the Trust (each a "Liquidation") other than in
connection with a redemption of the Subordinated Debt Securities as previously
described, the holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive out
of the assets of the Trust, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of
the Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the Company), distributions in an
amount equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital
Security plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to the date of payment
(the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless, in connection with such Liquidation,
the Subordinated Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Trust Securities have been distributed on a
pro rata basis to the holders of the Trust Securities in exchange for the Trust
Securities. Upon any Liquidation in which the Subordinated Debt Securities are
distributed, if at the time of such Liquidation the Capital Securities are rated
by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization, the
Company will use its best efforts to obtain from at least one nationally
recognized statistical rating organization a rating for the Subordinated Debt
Securities.
The Company, as the holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right
at any time to dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the
occurrence of a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company
Event), subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal
Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the
Federal Reserve, and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the
Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the Company), cause the Subordinated Debt
Securities to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities on a pro
rata basis in accordance with the aggregate liquidation amount thereof, in
liquidation of the Trust.
Pursuant to the Declaration, the Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur
of (i) April 1, 2052, the expiration of the term of the Trust, (ii) the
bankruptcy of the Company, (iii) (other than in connection with a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, the
Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) the filing of a certificate of
dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Trust, upon the consent of the
holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Securities
voting together as a single class to file a certificate of cancellation with
respect to the Trust, or upon the revocation of the charter of the Company and
the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement
thereof, (iv) the distribution to the holders of the Trust Securities of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, upon exercise of the right of the holder of all of
the outstanding Common Securities of the Trust to dissolve the Trust as
described above, (v) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
Company or the Trust, or (vi) the redemption of all of the Trust Securities.
Pursuant to the Declaration, as soon as practicable after the
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dissolution of the Trust and upon completion of the winding up of the Trust, the
Trust shall terminate upon the filing of a certificate of cancellation.
If a Liquidation occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of
the preceding paragraph, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Issuer Trustees as
expeditiously as such Issuer Trustees determine to be possible by distributing
to the holders of the Trust Securities, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust to the extent not satisfied by the Company, the
Subordinated Debt Securities, unless such distribution is determined by the
Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in which event such holders will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust to the
extent not satisfied by the Company, an amount equal to the Liquidation
Distribution. An early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) above
shall occur only if the Institutional Trustee determines that such Liquidation
is possible by distributing to the holders of the Trust Securities, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust to the extent not
satisfied by the Company, the Subordinated Debt Securities, and such
distribution occurs.
If, upon any such Liquidation, 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 such Capital Securities shall be paid to the holders of the Trust
Securities on a pro rata basis. The holders of the Common Securities issued by
the Trust will be entitled to receive distributions upon any such Liquidation
pro rata with the holders of such Capital Securities, except that if a
Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in respect of the
Trust, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities
with regard to such distributions.
After the date for any distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities
upon dissolution of the Trust, (i) the Trust Securities will be deemed to be no
longer outstanding, (ii) the Depositary or its nominee, as the record holder of
the Capital Securities issued in book-entry form, will receive a registered
Global Certificate (as defined herein) or Certificates representing the
Subordinated Debt Securities to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii)
any certificates representing the Capital Securities not held by the Depositary
or its nominee will be deemed to represent the Subordinated Debt Securities
having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of such Capital Securities until such certificates are presented to the Company
or its agent for transfer or reissuance.
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for either the Capital
Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities that may be distributed in
exchange for the Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an investor may
purchase, whether pursuant to the offer made hereby or in the secondary market,
or the Subordinated Debt Securities that an investor may receive if a
dissolution and liquidation of the Trust were to occur, may trade at a discount
to the price paid to purchase such Capital Securities.
DECLARATION EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under the Indenture in respect of the Subordinated Debt
Securities (an "Indenture Event of Default") constitutes an event of default
under the Declaration with respect to the Trust Securities (each a "Declaration
Event of Default"); provided that pursuant to the Declaration, the holder of the
Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any Declaration Event of Default
with respect to such Common Securities until all Declaration Events of Default
with respect to the Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until such Declaration Events of Default have been so cured, waived,
or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be acting
solely on behalf of the holders of the Capital Securities and only the holders
of such Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Institutional
Trustee with respect to certain matters under the Declaration, and therefore the
Indenture. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee
or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional
Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional
Trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as holder of the Subordinated
Debt Securities. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under
the Subordinated
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Debt Securities after the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities have so directed the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may
institute a legal proceeding against the Company to enforce the Institutional
Trustee's rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities without first
instituting any legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other
person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Declaration 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 Subordinated Debt
Securities on the respective dates such interest or principal is payable (or in
the case of redemption, the redemption date), then a holder of record of such
Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action against the Company for
payment, on or after the respective due dates specified in the Subordinated Debt
Securities, to such holder directly of the principal of or interest on
Subordinated Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such holder. In
connection with such Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights
of such holder of Capital Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any
payment made by the Company to such holder of the Capital Securities in such
Direct Action; provided, however, that no such subrogation right may be
exercised so long as a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing. The holders of the Capital Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Subordinated Debt
Securities.
Upon the occurrence of a Declaration Event of Default, the Institutional
Trustee, so long as it is the sole holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities,
will have the right under the Indenture to declare the principal of and interest
on the Subordinated Debt Securities to be immediately due and payable. The
Company and the Trust are each required to file annually with the Institutional
Trustee an officer's certificate as to its compliance with all conditions and
covenants under the Declaration.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as described below, under the Trust Act and under "--Removal of the
Issuer Trustees; Appointment of Successors," "--Mergers, Consolidations or
Amalgamations" and "Description of the Guarantee--Modification of the Guarantee;
Assignment," and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the holders
of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights.
Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the holders of a
majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon such Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the
right to direct such Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, to (i) exercise the remedies available to it under the Indenture as
a holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (ii) waive any past default that
is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a
declaration that the principal of all the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be
due and payable or (iv) consent on behalf of all the holders of the Capital
Securities of the Trust to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Indenture or the Subordinated Debt Securities where such consent shall be
required; provided, however, that where a consent or action under the Indenture
would require the consent or act of holders of more than a simple majority in
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities (a "Super-Majority")
affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take
such action at the written direction of the holders of at least the proportion
in aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities outstanding which the
relevant Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities outstanding. If the Institutional Trustee fails to
enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities after the holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of such Capital Securities have so directed the
Institutional Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, a holder of record of the
Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company
to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the Subordinated Debt
Securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the
Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if a Declaration 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 Subordinated Debt Securities on the respective dates such
interest or principal is payable (or in the case of redemption, the
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redemption date) then a holder of record of the Capital Securities may institute
a Direct Action against the Company for payment, on or after the respective due
dates specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities, to such holder directly of
the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities of such holder. The Institutional Trustee shall notify all
holders of the Capital Securities of any default actually known to the
Institutional Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities unless
(x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such notice or (y) the
Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such
notice is in the interest of the holders of such Capital Securities, except
where the default relates to the payment of interest on or principal of any of
the Subordinated Debt Securities. Such notice shall state that such Indenture
Event of Default also constitutes a Declaration Event of Default. Except with
respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a
remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described in
clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained
an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the
Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes.
In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, is required under the Indenture with respect to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, such Institutional
Trustee shall request the direction of the holders of the Trust Securities with
respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with
respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a majority
in liquidation amount of such Trust Securities voting together as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require
the consent of a Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such
consent at the direction of the holders of at least the proportion in
liquidation amount of such Trust Securities outstanding which the relevant
Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debt Securities outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not take any such
action in accordance with the directions of the holders of such Trust Securities
unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the
effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the
corresponding Declaration Event of Default.
Any required approval or direction of holders of the Capital Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of such holders convened for such purpose, at a
meeting of all of the holders of Trust Securities or pursuant to written
consent. The Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which
holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon
which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be mailed to
each holder of record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a
statement setting forth the following information: (i) the date of such meeting
or the date by which such action is to be taken; (ii) a description of any
resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such holders are
entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought; and
(iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent
of the holders of the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to
redeem and cancel the Capital Securities or distribute the Subordinated Debt
Securities in accordance with the Declaration.
Notwithstanding that holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote
or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital
Securities that are owned at such time by the Company or any entity directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, the Company, shall not entitle the holders thereof to vote or
consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such
Capital Securities were not outstanding.
The procedures by which holders of the Capital Securities issued in
book-entry form may exercise their voting rights are described below. See
"--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company."
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REMOVAL OF THE ISSUER TRUSTEES; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSORS
If an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, an Issuer
Trustee may be removed and its successor appointed by the holders of at least a
majority in liquidation amount of Capital Securities. In no event will the
holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or
replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the
Company as the holder of the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of an
Issuer Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective
until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with
the provisions of the Declaration.
MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION
The Declaration may be amended from time to time by the Institutional
Trustee and the holders of a majority of the Common Securities without the
consent of the holders of the Capital Securities to: (i) cure any ambiguity;
(ii) correct or supplement any provision in such Declaration that may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision of such Declaration; (iii)
add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Company; (iv) modify,
eliminate or add to any provision of the Declaration to such an extent as may be
necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal
income tax purposes at all times as a grantor trust and will not be required to
register as an "investment company" under the 1940 Act; and (v) modify,
eliminate and add to any provision of such Declaration, provided that no such
modification, elimination or addition referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii)
and (v) hereof shall adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights
of the holders of such Capital Securities so long as they remain outstanding.
In addition, the Declaration may be modified and amended if approved by the
Institutional Trustee and the holders of a majority of the Common Securities
(and in certain circumstances the Delaware Trustee), provided that, if any
proposed amendment provides for, or the Institutional Trustee otherwise proposes
to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or
special rights of the Trust Securities, whether by way of amendment to the
Declaration or otherwise or (ii) the Liquidation of the Trust other than
pursuant to the terms of the Declaration, then the holders of the Trust
Securities voting together as a single class will 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 Trust Securities affected thereby; provided that if any amendment
or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the
Capital Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the affected class
will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or
proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a majority in
liquidation amount of such class of Trust Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to
the Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the Trust to
be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as other than a
grantor trust or (ii) cause the Trust to be deemed an "investment company" which
is required to be registered under the 1940 Act.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the provisions of Section
316(b) of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference into the Declaration
provide that the right of any holder of the Capital Securities to receive
payments of distributions and other payments upon redemption or otherwise on or
after their respective due dates, or to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or
affected without the consent of such holder.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS OR AMALGAMATIONS
The Trust may not 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 corporation or other body, except as
described below or as otherwise described in "--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution." The Trust may, at the request of the holders of the Common
Securities and with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and the holders of
at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities,
but without the consent of the Delaware Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or be replaced by, a trust organized as such under the laws of any
state of the United States; provided that (i) if the Trust is not the survivor,
such
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successor entity either (x) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Trust under the Trust Securities or (y) substitutes for the Trust Securities
other securities having substantially the same terms as the Trust Securities
(the "Successor Securities"), so that the Successor Securities rank the same as
the Trust Securities rank with respect to distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) a trustee of such successor entity
possessing the same powers and duties as the Institutional Trustee is appointed
as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (iii) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Capital Securities
(including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally
recognized statistical rating organization, (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the holders of such Trust Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of
the holders' interest in such successor entity), (v) such successor entity has a
purpose substantially identical to that of the Trust, (vi) prior to such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of
a nationally recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such
matters to the effect that (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
the holders of the Trust Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the holders'
interest in such successor entity), (B) following such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor such successor entity will be
required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act and (C)
following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the
Trust nor such successor entity will be classified as other than a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes, and (vii) the Company guarantees
the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least
to the extent provided by the Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Trust shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation
amount of the Trust Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
be replaced by, any other entity or permit any other entity 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. In addition, the Debt Trustee will be required pursuant to
the Indenture to exchange for Old Subordinated Debt Securities, as part of the
Exchange Offer, New Subordinated Debt Securities that will have terms identical
in all material respects to the Old Subordinated Debt Securities except for
certain transfer restrictions under the Securities Act and the provision for an
increase in the interest rate thereon under certain circumstances. See
"--Exchange Offer; Registration Rights."
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF THE ISSUER TRUSTEES
Any entity into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee may
be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Issuer
Trustee is a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all the
corporate trust business of such Issuer Trustee, will be the successor of such
Issuer Trustee under the Declaration, provided such entity is otherwise
qualified and eligible.
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY ISSUANCE--THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
The New Capital Securities initially will be represented by one or more
Capital Securities in registered, global form (collectively, the "Global
Certificates"). The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers
of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Such laws
may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global Capital
Securities as represented by a Global Certificate.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the 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 the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("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
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certificates. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations ("Direct
Participants"). DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the
New York Stock Exchange Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is
also available to others, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and
trust companies that clear transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect
custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly
("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC and its Participants are
on file with the Commission.
Purchases of the Capital Securities within the DTC system must be made by
or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Capital
Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of
each Capital Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the
Direct Participants' 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 the
Capital Securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the Capital Securities
are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting on
behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates
representing their ownership interests in the Capital Securities, except in the
event that use of the book-entry system for the Capital Securities is
discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all the Capital Securities deposited by
Participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede &
Co. The deposit of the Capital Securities with DTC and their registration in the
name of Cede & Co. will effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC will have
no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Capital Securities. DTC's
records will reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose
accounts such Capital Securities are credited, which may or may not be the
Beneficial Owners. The Direct Participants and Indirect Participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of a
Global Certificate in respect of the Capital Securities, DTC or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Capital
Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Declaration and such
Capital Securities. No Beneficial Owner of an interest in a Global Certificate
will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC's
applicable procedures.
DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of the Capital Securities (including the presentation of the
Capital Securities for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one
or more Participants to whose accounts the DTC interest in the Global
Certificates is credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate
liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as to which such Participant or
Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is a
Declaration Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities, DTC will,
upon notice, exchange the Global Certificates in respect of such Capital
Securities for Certificated Securities, which it will distribute to its
Participants.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices in respect of the Capital Securities held in book-entry
form will be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the Capital Securities are
being redeemed, the Capital Securities will be redeemed on a pro rata basis.
Although voting with respect to the Capital Securities is limited, in those
cases where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent
or vote with respect to the Capital Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC
would mail an omnibus proxy to the Trust as soon as possible after the record
date. The
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omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
Participants to whose accounts the Capital Securities are credited on the record
date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
Payments in respect of the Capital Securities held in book-entry form will
be made to DTC in immediately available funds. 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 such payment date. Payments by
Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the
responsibility of such Direct Participants and Indirect Participants and not of
DTC, the Trust or the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payments in respect of the
Capital Securities held in book-entry form to DTC are the responsibility of the
Trust, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants is the
responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial
Owners is the responsibility of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants.
Except as provided herein, a Beneficial Owner of an interest in a Global
Certificate will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Capital
Securities. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of
DTC, the Direct Participants and the Indirect Participants to exercise any
rights under the Capital Securities.
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Certificates among Participants of DTC, DTC
is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and
such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of the Company, the Trust
or the Issuer Trustees will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC
or its Direct Participants or Indirect Participants under the rules and
procedures governing DTC. DTC may discontinue providing its services as a
securities depositary with respect to the Capital Securities at any time by
giving notice to the Company and the Trust. Under such circumstances, in the
event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, the Capital
Security certificates will be required to be printed and delivered.
Additionally, the Trust (with the consent of the Company) may decide to
discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a
successor depositary) with respect to the Capital Securities of the Trust. In
that event, certificates for such Capital Securities will be printed and
delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company and the Trust believes to be
reliable, but neither the Company nor the Trust takes responsibility for the
accuracy thereof.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
The Old Capital Securities were, and the New Capital Securities will be,
issued and may be transferred only in blocks having a liquidation amount of not
less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital Securities or New Capital Securities, as the
case may be). Any such transfer of the Old Capital Securities or the New Capital
Securities in a block having a liquidation amount of less than $100,000 shall be
deemed to be void and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such transferee shall
be deemed not to be the holder of such Old Capital Securities or New Capital
Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to, the receipt of
distributions on such Old Capital Securities or New Capital Securities, and such
transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Old Capital
Securities or New Capital Securities.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
Payments in respect of the Capital Securities represented by the Global
Certificates shall be made to DTC, which shall credit the relevant accounts at
DTC on the applicable distribution payment dates or, in the case of Certificated
Securities, such payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the
holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the books and records of
the Trust or by wire transfer. The paying agent for the Trust Securities (the
"Paying Agent") shall initially be The Bank of New York. The Paying Agent shall
be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the
Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Company. In the event that The
Bank of New York shall no longer be the
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Paying Agent, the Institutional Trustee shall appoint a successor to act as
Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company).
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Institutional Trustee is acting as registrar and transfer agent for the
Capital Securities of the Trust.
Registration of transfers or exchanges of the Capital Securities will be
effected without charge by or on behalf of the Trust, but upon payment (with the
giving of such indemnity as the Trust or the Company may require) in respect of
any tax or other government charges which may be imposed in relation to it.
The Trust will not be required to register or cause to be registered the
transfer or exchange of the Capital Securities after such Capital Securities
have been called for redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
The Institutional Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with
respect to the Trust Securities and after the curing of any defaults that may
have occurred, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set
forth in the Declaration and, after default, shall exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it by such Declaration, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent individual would exercise or use in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Institutional
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Declaration at the request of any holder of the Capital Securities, unless
offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The holders of the Capital
Securities will not be required to offer such indemnity in the event such
holders, by exercising their voting rights, direct the Institutional Trustee to
take any action it is empowered to take under the Declaration following a
Declaration Event of Default. The Institutional Trustee also serves as trustee
under the Guarantee and the Indenture.
Whenever in the exercise of its rights or powers or the performance of its
duties under the Declaration the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable
to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking
any other action thereunder, the Institutional Trustee (i) may request
instructions from the holders of the Capital Securities, which instructions may
only be given by the holders of a majority, or such other proportion, in
liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be entitled to direct the
Institutional Trustee under the terms of such Capital 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 conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance
with such instructions.
The Company and certain of its affiliates maintain a banking relationship
with the Institutional Trustee and its affiliates.
GOVERNING LAW
The Declaration and the Capital Securities are governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to
principles of conflict of laws.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Administrators, the holders of a majority of the Common Securities and
the Institutional Trustee are authorized and directed to operate the Trust in
such a way so that the Trust will not be required to register as an "investment
company" under the 1940 Act nor be characterized as other than a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes. The Company has agreed to conduct
its affairs so that the Subordinated Debt Securities will be treated as
indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax purposes. In
this connection, the Institutional Trustee and the holders of a majority of the
Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with
applicable law or the Declaration, that the Institutional Trustee and such
holders of the Common Securities determine in their discretion to be necessary
or desirable to achieve such end, even if such action adversely affects the
interests of the holders of the Capital Securities.
Holders of the Capital Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
The Old Guarantee was executed and delivered by the Company concurrently
with the issuance by the Trust of the Old Capital Securities for the benefit of
the holders from time to time of the Capital Securities. As soon as is
practicable after the date hereof, the Company will exchange the Old Guarantee
for the Guarantee. The Guarantee has been qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act. This summary of the material provisions of the Guarantee does not purport
to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
all of the provisions of the Guarantee, including the definitions therein of
certain terms. The Guarantee Trustee will hold the Guarantee for the benefit of
the holders of the Capital Securities.
GENERAL
Pursuant to the Guarantee, the Company will irrevocably and unconditionally
agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full, to the holders of the
Capital Securities, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) (except to the
extent paid by the Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of
set-off or counterclaim which the Trust may have or assert. The following
payments with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by the
Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Guarantee (without
duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be
paid on the Capital Securities, to the extent the Trust shall have funds
available therefor; (ii) the Redemption Price, to the extent the Trust has funds
available therefor, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption
by the Trust and (iii) upon Liquidation of the Trust (other than in connection
with the distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of the
Capital Securities in exchange therefor), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Capital
Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Trust has funds available
therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of such Capital Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Company to the holders of the Capital
Securities or by causing the Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
The Guarantee will not apply to any payment of distributions except to the
extent the Trust shall have funds available therefor, which funds will not be
available except to the extent the Company has made payments of interest or
principal or other payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the
Trust. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Certain Covenants."
The Guarantee, when taken together with the Company's obligations under the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Declaration and the Indenture, including its
obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and other obligations of the Trust
(other than with respect to the Trust Securities), will provide a full and
unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due
on the Capital Securities.
Because the Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not of collection,
holders of the Capital Securities may proceed directly against the Company,
rather than having to proceed against the Trust before attempting to collect
from 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. Such obligations will not be discharged except
by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full. The Guarantee will be deposited
with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the holders of Capital
Securities. Except as otherwise noted herein, the Guarantee Trustee has the
right to enforce the Guarantee on behalf of the holders of the Capital
Securities.
The Company has also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantee the obligations of the Trust with respect to Common Securities (the
"Common Securities Guarantee") to the same extent as the Guarantee, except that
upon the occurrence and continuance of a Declaration Event of Default, holders
of Capital Securities shall have priority over holders of Common Securities with
respect to any payments made by the Company on or in respect of the Trust
Securities under the Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee.
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CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY UNDER THE GUARANTEE
In the Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so long as any Capital
Securities remain outstanding, if the Company shall be in default under the
Guarantee or there shall have occurred and be continuing any event that would
constitute a Declaration Event of Default, then (a) the Company shall not
declare or pay any dividend on, make a distribution with respect to, or redeem,
purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock (other than (i) purchases
or acquisitions of shares of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire
such capital stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its
obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a
reclassification of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the
Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock for another
class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital
stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) dividends and
distributions made on the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock with the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make any guarantee payments (other than payments under the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing and
(b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
that rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
MODIFICATION OF THE GUARANTEE; ASSIGNMENT
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights
of holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect (in which case no
vote of such holders will be required), the Guarantee may be amended only with
the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation
amount of the outstanding Capital Securities. All guarantees and agreements
contained in the Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers,
trustees and representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of
the holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding.
TERMINATION
The Guarantee will terminate as to the Capital Securities (a) upon full
payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital Securities, (b) upon distribution
of the Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of the Capital Securities or
(c) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration
upon liquidation of the Trust. The Guarantee will continue to be effective or
will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the Capital
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under such Capital Securities
or the Guarantee.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under the Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the
Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder.
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities
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 or
to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee
Trustee under the Guarantee. A holder of record of the Capital Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the
Guarantee Trustee's rights under the Guarantee, without first instituting a
legal proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity. Pursuant to the Guarantee, the Company will waive any right or remedy to
require that any action be brought first against the Trust or any other person
or entity before proceeding directly against the Company.
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STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
The Company's obligations under the Guarantee are subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company
and are also effectively subordinated to claims of creditors of the Company's
subsidiaries. The terms of the Capital Securities provide that each holder of
the Capital Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination
provisions and other terms of the Guarantee relating thereto. Because the
Company is a bank holding company, the right of the Company to participate in
any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon such subsidiary's
liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of
creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Company may itself be
recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company's
obligations under the Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and claimants should look
only to the assets of the Company for payments thereunder. The Guarantee does
not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the
Company, including Senior Indebtedness of the Company, under any indenture that
the Company may enter into in the future or otherwise.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to
the Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set
forth in such Guarantee and, after default, shall exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it by such Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent individual would exercise or use in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee is
under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Guarantee
at the request of any holder of Capital Securities, unless offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred
thereby.
The Company and certain of its affiliates maintain a banking relationship
with the Guarantee Trustee and its affiliates.
GOVERNING LAW
The Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
Set forth below is a description of the principal terms of the Subordinated
Debt Securities. The following description does not purport to be complete and
is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the description
in the Indenture, dated as of March 27, 1997 (the "Base Indenture"), between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Debt Trustee"), as
supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 1997 (the
Base Indenture, as so supplemented, is herein referred to as the "Indenture".)
Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in the Indenture. The terms of
the Indenture are those set forth in the Indenture and those made part thereof
by the Trust Indenture Act. The Indenture, by its terms, requires the Company
and the Debt Trustee to comply with the Trust Indenture Act. The Indenture will
be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act upon the effectiveness of a
registration statement with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities. See
"The Exchange Offer." This summary of the material terms of the Indenture does
not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Indenture.
In certain circumstances, the Subordinated Debt Securities may be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
See "Description of the New Capital Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution."
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GENERAL
Concurrently with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, the Trust
invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Company for the Common Securities, in the Old Subordinated Debt Securities
issued by the Company. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company will exchange
$50 million aggregate principal amount of Old Subordinated Debt Securities for a
like amount of New Subordinated Debt Securities as soon as is practicable after
the date of this Prospectus, and thereafter $1,547,000 aggregate principal
amount of Old Subordinated Debt Securities will remain outstanding. The New
Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued as unsecured debt under the
Indenture. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be limited to an amount equal
to the sum of the aggregate liquidation amounts of the Trust Securities.
The Subordinated Debt Securities are not subject to a sinking fund
provision. The entire principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities will
mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, including Compounded Interest (as defined herein) and Additional
Interest (as defined herein), if any, on April 1, 2027.
If the Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to holders of the
Capital Securities in liquidation of such holders' interests in the Trust, the
Subordinated Debt Securities will, with respect to the Capital Securities held
in book-entry only form, initially be issued as a Global Security (as defined
herein) having an aggregate principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of
such Capital Securities and, with respect to such Capital Securities held in
certificated non-book entry form, will initially be deemed to be represented by
such certificates and to have an aggregate principal amount equal to the
liquidation amount of such Capital Securities. As described herein, under
certain limited circumstances, Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued in
certificated non-book entry form in exchange for a Global Security. See
"--Book-Entry Issuance and Settlement." The Subordinated Debt Securities deemed
to be represented by a Capital Security certificate will be issued in
certificated form upon presentation for transfer or reissuance. Payments on the
Subordinated Debt Securities issued as a Global Security will be made to DTC, a
successor depositary or, in the event that no depositary is used, to a paying
agent for the Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event the Subordinated Debt
Securities are issued in certificated non-book entry form, interest and
principal will be payable, the transfer of the Subordinated Debt Securities will
be registrable and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be exchangeable for
Subordinated Debt Securities of other denominations of a like aggregate
principal amount at the corporate trust office of the Debt Trustee in New York,
New York; provided that payment of interest may be made, at the option of the
Company, by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto or by
wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder entitled
thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of any
Subordinated Debt Securities is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of
interest and principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the
Institutional Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Institutional Trustee.
The Indenture does not contain provisions that afford holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction or other similar transaction involving the Company that may
adversely affect such holders.
SUBORDINATION
The Indenture provides that the Subordinated Debt Securities are
subordinated and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior
Indebtedness of the Company. No payment of principal (including redemption
payments) or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made (in cash,
property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) if (i) any Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, as the case may be, is not paid when due and any applicable grace
period with respect to a payment default under such Senior Indebtedness has
ended and such default has not been cured or waived or ceased to exist or (ii)
the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated
because of a default. Upon any distribution of assets of the Company to
creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
other proceedings, all principal and interest due or to become due on all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company must be paid in full before the
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holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive or retain
any payment. Upon satisfaction of all claims of all Senior Indebtedness then
outstanding, the rights of the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will
be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company
to receive payments or distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness until all
amounts owing on the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full.
The term "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to the Company (except
any other obligations which rank pari passu with the Subordinated Debt
Securities), (i) the principal and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of
the Company for money borrowed, and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities,
debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company,
including, without limitation, any current or future indebtedness under any
indenture (other than the Indenture) to which the Company is party; (ii) all
capital lease obligations of the Company, (iii) all obligations of the Company
issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional
sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any
title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the
ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations of the Company for the
reimbursement on any letter of credit, any banker's acceptance, any security
purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest
rate swap, any other hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any
similar credit or other transaction, (v) all obligations of the type referred to
in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which the
Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise and (vi) all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other
persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or
not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any indebtedness
between or among the Company or any affiliate of the Company and (2) any other
debt securities issued pursuant to the Indenture and guarantees in respect of
those debt securities. Senior Indebtedness does not include the Subordinated
Debt Securities or any junior subordinated debt securities issued in the future
with subordination terms substantially similar to the Subordinated Debt
Securities. Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be
entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any
amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.
Because the Company is a bank holding company, the right of the Company to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior
claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Company may
itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. The Company is a legal
entity separate and distinct from its Banking Subsidiaries and non-banking
subsidiaries. The Company's principal assets are the stock of its Banking
Subsidiaries and non-bank subsidiaries. The Company relies primarily on
dividends from such subsidiaries to meet its obligations for payment of
principal and interest on its outstanding debt obligations and corporate
expenses. The principal sources of the Company's income are dividends, interest
and fees from the Banking Subsidiaries and non-banking subsidiaries. The Banking
Subsidiaries of the Company are subject to certain restrictions imposed by
federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain other transactions with
the Company and certain other affiliates and on investments in stock or other
securities thereof. In addition, payment of dividends to the Company by the
Banking Subsidiaries is subject to ongoing review by banking regulators and is
subject to various statutory limitations and in certain circumstances requires
approval by banking regulatory authorities. Accordingly, the Company's
obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's
subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the Company for
payments thereunder.
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness
that may be issued by the Company. The Company had $0 of Senior Indebtedness as
of March 31, 1997.
REDEMPTION
The Company may redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities, in whole or in
part, at any time and from time to time, on or after April 1, 2007 upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at par plus accrued and unpaid interest
to the redemption date. In addition, the Subordinated Debt Securities may be
redeemed by the Company at any time, in whole or in part, in certain
circumstances described herein, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax
Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event,
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within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Capital Treatment
Event or Investment Company Event, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice, at par, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In
each case, redemption prior to maturity is subject to the receipt by the Company
of prior approval from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable
capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve. See "Description of the
New Capital Securities--Redemption."
INTEREST
The Subordinated Debt Securities shall bear interest at a variable annual
rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98%, from the original date of issuance of the Old
Subordinated Debt Securities, payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of
January, April, July and October of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing July 1, 1997, to the person in whose name such Subordinated Debt
Security is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the close of business
on the Business Day next preceding such Interest Payment Date. The term
"interest" as used herein, as such term relates to the Subordinated Debt
Securities, includes any Compounded Interest or Additional Interest or any
Special Payment payable unless otherwise stated. In the event the Subordinated
Debt Securities are not held solely in book-entry only form, the Company will
select relevant record dates, which shall be the 15th day of the month next
preceding the month containing the relevant Interest Payment Date.
The Bank of New York, as Calculation Agent (the "Calculation Agent"), will
calculate the interest rate for each quarterly interest period based on LIBOR
determined as of two London Business Days (defined as any day, other than a
Saturday or Sunday, on which banks are open for business in London) prior to the
first day of such interest period (each, a "Determination Date"). "LIBOR" means,
with respect to a quarterly interest period relating to an Interest Payment Date
(in the following order of priority):
(i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for Eurodollar
deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750
as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date;
(ii) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, LIBOR will be the
arithmetic mean (if necessary rounded upwards to the nearest whole multiple
of .00001%) of the rates (expressed as percentages per annum) for
Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appear on Reuters
Monitor Money Rates Page LIBO ("Reuters Page LIBO") as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on such Determination Date;
(iii) if such rate does not appear on Reuters Page LIBO as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, the Calculation Agent
will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the
London interbank market to provide such banks' offered quotations
(expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank
market for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations
are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean (if necessary rounded
upwards to the nearest whole multiple of .00001%) of such quotations;
(iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in
clause (iii) above, the Calculation Agent will request four major New York
City banks to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in Eurodollars
as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two
such quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean (if
necessary rounded upwards to the nearest whole multiple of .00001%) of such
quotations; and
(v) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in
clause (iv) above, LIBOR will be LIBOR determined with respect to the
interest period immediately preceding such current interest period.
If the rate for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity that
initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may
be, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is
superseded on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may be, by a
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corrected rate before 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, the
corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable
LIBOR for such Determination Date.
LIBOR for the initial interest period (commencing upon the original
issuance of the Old Subordinated Debt Securities) shall be determined as
provided above, except that the Determination Date for the initial interest
period shall be one London Business Day prior to the first day of such initial
interest period.
The initial Distribution rate for the Capital Securities and the interest
rate for the related Subordinated Debt Securities is 6.74172% per annum.
Absent manifest error, the Calculation Agent's determination of LIBOR and
its calculation of the applicable interest rate for each interest period will be
final and binding. Investors may obtain the interest rates for the current and
preceding interest period by writing or calling Corporate Trust Administration
at the Calculation Agent at The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21
West, New York, New York 10286 (telephone (212) 815-5287).
The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis
of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of twelve 30-day months. In the
event that any date on which interest is payable on the Subordinated Debt
Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest payable on such
date will 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) with the same force
and effect as if made on such date.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
So long as the Company is not in default in the payment of interest that
has become due and payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities and no accrued
interest from a prior completed Extension Period is unpaid, the Company shall
have the right to defer payments of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities
by extending the interest payment period, at any time and from time to time, for
Extension Periods, each not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods and none
extending beyond the maturity date of the Subordinated Debt Securities,
provided, however, that on the date on which each such Extension Period ends or,
if such date is not an Interest Payment Date, on the immediately following
Interest Payment Date, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid, together with interest thereon at a variable annual rate equal to LIBOR
plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by applicable law
("Compounded Interest"). During any Extension Period (a) the Company shall not
declare or pay dividends on, make any distribution with respect to, or redeem,
purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock (other than (i) purchases
or acquisitions of shares of any such capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its
obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a
reclassification of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the
Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock for another
class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital
stock or the security being converted or exchanged (iv) dividends and
distributions made on the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock with the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make any guarantee payments (other than payments under the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing and
(b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
that rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities. Prior
to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period; provided,
however, that each such Extension Period, including all such previous and
further extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or
extend beyond the maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Upon the
termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the
Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the terms set forth
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herein. No interest during an Extension Period, except on the date on which such
Extension Period terminates (or if such date is not an Interest Payment Date, on
the immediately following Interest Payment Date), shall be due and payable. The
Company has no present intention of exercising its right to defer payments of
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities.
If the Institutional Trustee shall be the sole holder of the Subordinated
Debt Securities, the Company shall give the Administrators, the Institutional
Trustee and the Debt Trustee notice of its initiation of any Extension Period
one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date distributions on the
Capital Securities are payable or (ii) the date the Administrators are required
to give notice to holders of the Capital Securities (or any national securities
exchange or other organization on which the Capital Securities are listed, if
any) of the record date or the distribution payment date, in each case with
respect to distributions on the Trust Securities the payment of which is being
deferred. An Administrator shall give notice of the Company's initiation of any
Extension Period to the holders of such Capital Securities. If the Institutional
Trustee shall not be the sole holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities, the
Company shall give the holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities notice of
its initiation of such Extension Period 10 Business Days prior to the earlier of
(i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or (ii) the date upon which the
Company is required to give notice to holders of such Subordinated Debt
Securities (or any national securities exchange or other organization on which
the corresponding Capital Securities are listed, if any) of the record date or
interest payment date, in each case with respect to interest payments the
payment of which is being deferred.
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
If at any time the Trust shall be 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
such case, the Company will pay as additional interest ("Additional Interest")
on the Subordinated Debt Securities such additional amounts as shall be required
so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying any such
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will equal the amounts
the Trust and the Institutional Trustee would have received had no such taxes,
duties, assessments or other governmental charges been imposed.
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
On February 6, 1997, President Clinton released his budget proposals for
fiscal year 1998. The President's Proposal would generally deny corporate
issuers a deduction for interest on certain debt obligations that have a maximum
term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as indebtedness on the separate
balance sheet of the issuer, or, where the instrument is issued to a related
party (other than a corporation), where the holder or some other related party
issues a related instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's
consolidated balance sheet. As originally drafted, the President's Proposal
would be effective generally for instruments issued on or after the date of
first Congressional committee action. Although it is not clear from the
President's Proposal what constitutes Congressional "committee action," it
appears that, as drafted, the President's Proposal would not apply retroactively
to the Subordinated Debt Securities. However, if the President's Proposal (or
similar legislation) is enacted with retroactive effect with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company would not be entitled to an interest
deduction with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
On June 9, 1997, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer
released his draft proposed Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997. The Chairman's
Proposal would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest on
certain debt obligations that are payable in stock of the issuer or a related
party. The Chairman's Proposal does not contain a provision substantially
similar to the President's Proposal concerning disallowance of interest
deductions on long term debt obligations not treated as indebtedness on the
issuer's balance sheet. Accordingly, the Chairman's Proposal would not effect
the Subordinated Debt Securities.
There can be no assurance that the President's Proposal will not be
enacted, and that, if enacted, it will not apply retroactively to the
Subordinated Debt Securities or that other legislation enacted after the date
hereof will not otherwise adversely affect the ability of the Company to deduct
the interest payable on the
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Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Tax
Event will not occur. See "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Redemption."
CERTAIN COVENANTS
If (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing any event that would
constitute an Event of Default (as defined herein) under the Indenture, (ii) the
Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under
the Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall
have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period as
provided in the Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be
continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make
a distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation
payment with respect to, any of its capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of any such
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock in connection with the
satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans,
(ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or rights
to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or
series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock
for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire
such capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the
Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) dividends
and distributions made on the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock with the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital
stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make any guarantee payments (other than payments under the
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing and
(b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
that rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company has
agreed to maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however,
that any permitted successor of the Company under the Indenture may succeed to
the Company's ownership of such Common Securities. The Administrators and the
holder of a majority of the Common Securities each will covenant to use their
respective reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory
business trust, except in connection with the distribution of the Subordinated
Debt Securities to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the
Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, and (b)
to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes and (c) to use its reasonable efforts to cause each
holder of the Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial
interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities.
LIMITATION ON MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS
Nothing contained in the Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities
shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive
consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors
shall be a party, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other
disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an
entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or
not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to
acquire and operate the same; provided, however, that the Company shall, upon
any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition,
cause the obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Debt Securities and
under the
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Indenture to be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in
form to the Debt Trustee and executed and delivered to the Debt Trustee, by the
successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company shall
have been merged, or which shall have acquired such property. Upon execution and
delivery of such supplemental indenture to the Debt Trustee, such successor
entity will be substituted under the Indenture and thereupon the Company will be
relieved of any further liability or obligation thereunder.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVER AND NOTICE
The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events which has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Subordinated
Debt Securities constitutes an "Event of Default" with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities:
(a) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities, including any Compounded Interest or Additional Interest in respect
thereof or any Special Payment, when due; provided, however, that a valid
extension of the interest payment period by the Company shall not constitute a
default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or
(b) default in payment of principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities
when due either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or
(c) default by the Company in the performance of any other of the covenants
or agreements in the Indenture which shall not have been remedied for a period
of 90 days after notice to the Company by the Debt Trustee or to the Company and
the Debt Trustee by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of Subordinated Debt Securities; or
(d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Company; or
(e) the Liquidation of the Trust, except in connection with the
distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of the Trust
Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust
Securities, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as
permitted by the Declaration.
The Indenture provides that the Debt Trustee may, under certain
circumstances, withhold from the holders notice of default with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities (except for any default in payment of principal of
or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities) if the Trustee considers it in
the interest of such holders to do so.
The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default in respect of the
Subordinated Debt Securities shall have occurred and be continuing, either the
Debt Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding may declare the principal
of and accrued interest on all Subordinated Debt Securities to be due and
payable immediately, but upon certain conditions such declarations may be
annulled and past defaults may be waived (except defaults in payment of
principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities, which must be
cured or paid in full) by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding.
No holder of any Subordinated Debt Security shall have any right to
institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy under the Indenture,
unless such holder previously shall have given to the Debt Trustee written
notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt
Securities and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding shall have given the
Debt Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and
shall have offered to the Debt Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may
require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and
the Debt 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;
provided that no holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall have any right
to prejudice the rights of any other holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities,
obtain priority or preference over any other such holder or enforce any right
under the Indenture except as provided in the Indenture and for the equal,
ratable and common benefit of all holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of any holder of any Subordinated Debt
Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such
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Subordinated Debt Security when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
holder.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debt Securities then outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on, the Debt Trustee under the
Indenture; provided, however, that, except under certain circumstances, the Debt
Trustee may decline to follow any such direction if the Debt Trustee determines
that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to holders not taking
part in such direction or would be unlawful or would involve the Debt Trustee in
personal liability. The Indenture requires the annual filing by the Company with
the Debt Trustee of a certificate as to the absence of certain defaults under
the Indenture.
An Event of Default under the Indenture also constitutes a Declaration
Event of Default. The holders of the Capital Securities of the Trust, in certain
circumstances, have the right to direct the Institutional Trustee of the Trust
to exercise its rights as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. See
"Description of the New Capital Securities--Declaration Events of Default" and
"--Voting Rights." Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Indenture Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the
failure of the Company to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities on the respective dates such principal or interest is payable (or in
the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company acknowledges that a
holder of record of the Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action for
payment, on or after the respective due dates specified in such Subordinated
Debt Securities, to such holder directly of the principal of or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such holder.
Notwithstanding any payments made to such holder of the Capital Securities by
the Company in connection with a Direct Action, the Company shall remain
obligated to pay the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities, and the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of such holder of
such Capital Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any payments made
by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action; provided, however, that no
such subrogation right may be exercised so long as a Declaration Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing. Except to the extent described above
under "Description of the New Capital Securities--Declaration Events of Default"
and "--Voting Rights," the holders of the Capital Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Subordinated
Debt Securities.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debt
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities at the time outstanding, to
modify the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or the rights of the holders
of the Subordinated Debt Securities; provided, however, that no such
modification shall without the consent of the holder of each Subordinated Debt
Security so affected (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Subordinated Debt
Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any redemption premium
thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon,
or make the principal of or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities
payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Subordinated
Debt Securities, or impair or affect the right of any holder of the Subordinated
Debt Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Subordinated Debt Securities the consent of the holders
of which is required for any such modification.
The Company and the Debt Trustee may enter into supplemental indentures,
without the consent of any holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities: (i) to
evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption
by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the
Company pursuant to the Indenture; (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company
such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the
holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities and to make the occurrence, or the
occurrence and continuance (including any or no grace periods), of a default in
any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an
Event of Default permitting the enforcement of remedies provided in the
Indenture; (iii) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
contained in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture which may be
defective or inconsistent with any
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other provision contained therein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make
such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the
Indenture, including the qualification or maintenance of the qualification of
the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such action shall
not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Subordinated Debt
Securities; (iv) to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of the Subordinated
Debt Securities to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions
substantially similar to those applicable to the Capital Securities (for
purposes of assuring that no registration of the Subordinated Debt Securities is
required under the Securities Act); (v) to evidence and provide for the
acceptance of appointment under the Indenture by a successor Debt Trustee with
respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities and to add to or change any of the
provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the Trust under the Indenture by more than one Debt
Trustee, pursuant to the Indenture; (vi) to make any change that does not
adversely affect the rights of any holder of any Subordinated Debt Security in
any material respect; or (vii) to provide for the issuance, and establish the
form and terms and conditions, of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to establish
the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of
the Indenture or the Subordinated Debt Securities or to add to the rights of the
holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
DISCHARGE
The Indenture provides that when, among other things, all Subordinated Debt
Securities not previously delivered to the Debt Trustee for cancellation (i)
have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable at the stated
maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year
under arrangements satisfactory to the Debt Trustee, and the Company deposits or
causes to be deposited with the Debt Trustee funds, in trust, for the purpose
and in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the
Subordinated Debt Securities not previously delivered to the Debt Trustee for
cancellation, for the principal and interest to the date of the stated maturity
or redemption date, as the case may be, then the Indenture will cease to be of
further effect (except as to the Company's obligations to pay all other sums due
pursuant to the Indenture and to provide the officers' certificates and opinions
of counsel described therein), and the Company will be deemed to have satisfied
and discharged the Indenture.
THE DEBT TRUSTEE
The Company and certain of its affiliates maintain a banking relationship
with the Debt Trustee and its affiliates.
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE AND SETTLEMENT
If distributed to holders of the Capital Securities of the Trust in
connection with the involuntary or voluntary dissolution, winding-up or
liquidation of the Trust, the Subordinated Debt Securities will, with respect to
such Capital Securities held in book-entry form, initially be issued in the form
of one or more global certificates (each a "Global Security") registered in the
name of the Depositary or its nominee. Except under the limited circumstances
described below, the Subordinated Debt Securities represented by a Global
Security will not be exchangeable for, and will not otherwise be issuable as,
the Subordinated Debt Securities in certificated form. The Global Securities
described above may not be transferred except by the Depositary to a nominee of
the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary or to a successor depositary or its nominee.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. Such
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such a Global
Security.
Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Subordinated Debt
Securities in certificated form and will not be considered the holders (as
defined in the Indenture) thereof for any purpose under the Indenture, and no
Global Security representing the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be
exchangeable, except for another Global Security of like denomination and tenor
to be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or to a successor
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Depositary or its nominee. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the
procedures of the Depositary or if such beneficial owner is not a Participant,
on the procedures of the Participant through which such beneficial owner owns
its interest to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture.
THE DEPOSITARY
If the Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to holders of the
Capital Securities in liquidation of such holders' interests in the Trust, DTC
will act as securities Depositary (the "Depositary") for the Subordinated Debt
Securities issued by the Trust with respect to the Capital Securities held in
book-entry form. For a description of DTC and the specific terms of the
depositary arrangements, see "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company." As of the
date of this Prospectus, the description herein of DTC's book-entry system and
DTC's practices as they relate to purchases, transfers, redemptions, notices and
payments with respect to the Capital Securities would apply in all material
respects to any debt obligations represented by one or more Global Securities
held by DTC. The Company may appoint a successor to DTC or any successor
depositary in the event DTC or such successor depositary is unable or unwilling
to continue as the Depositary for the Global Securities.
None of the Company, the Trust, the Institutional Trustee, the Debt
Trustee, any paying agent and any other agent of the Company, the Trust, the
Institutional Trustee or the Debt Trustee will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security for the Subordinated Debt
Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
DISCONTINUANCE OF THE DEPOSITARY'S SERVICES
A Global Security shall be exchangeable for the Subordinated Debt
Securities registered in the names of persons other than the Depositary or its
nominee only if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as a depositary for such Global Security and no successor
depositary shall have been appointed, (ii) the Depositary, at any time, ceases
to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at which time the
Depositary is required to be so registered to act as such depositary and no
successor depositary shall have been appointed, (iii) the Company, in its sole
discretion, determines that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or
(iv) there shall have occurred an Indenture Event of Default. Any Global
Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be
exchangeable for the Subordinated Debt Securities registered in such names as
the Depositary shall direct. It is expected that such instructions will be based
upon directions received by the Depositary from its Participants with respect to
ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued and may be transferred only
in blocks having an aggregate principal amount of not less that $100,000 (and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof). Any such transfer of the
Subordinated Debt Securities in a block having an aggregate principal amount of
less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal effect whatsoever.
Any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder of such Subordinated
Debt Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the receipt of
payments on such Subordinated Debt Securities, and such transferee shall be
deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Subordinated Debt Securities.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities are governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard
to conflict of laws principles.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Indenture provides that the Company will pay all fees and expenses
related to (i) the offering and sale of the Trust Securities and the
Subordinated Debt Securities, (ii) the organization, maintenance and
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dissolution of the Trust, (iii) the retention of the Issuer Trustees and
Administrators and (iv) the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee of the
rights of the holders of the Capital Securities.
The Company has the right at all times to assign any of its respective
rights or obligations under the Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company; provided that, in the event of any such assignment,
the Company will remain liable for all of its obligations. Subject to the
foregoing, the Indenture will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as otherwise
provided in "--Limitation on Mergers and Sales of Assets," the Indenture
provides that it may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.
EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEE
As set forth in the Declaration, the exclusive purposes of the Trust are to
issue and sell the Trust Securities evidencing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Trust, to invest the proceeds from such issuance and sale in
the Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company in accordance with the
terms of such Trust Securities, to effect the Exchange Offer and to engage in
certain other limited activities described herein.
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, such payments will be sufficient to cover
distributions and payments due on the Trust Securities because of the following
factors: (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities
will be equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Trust Securities; (ii)
the interest rate and the interest and other payment dates on the Subordinated
Debt Securities will match the distribution rate and distribution and other
payment dates for the Trust Securities; (iii) the Company shall pay all, and the
Trust shall not be obligated to pay directly or indirectly any, costs, expenses,
debts and other obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to such Trust
Securities); and (iv) the Declaration further provides that the Issuer Trustees
shall not take any action or cause or permit the Trust to, among other things,
engage in any activity that is not consistent with the purposes of the Trust.
Payments of distributions (to the extent funds therefor are available to
the Trust) and other payments due on the Capital Securities (to the extent funds
therefor are available to the Trust) are guaranteed by the Company as described
under "Description of the Guarantee." If the Company does not make interest
payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities, it is expected that the Trust will
not have sufficient funds to pay distributions on such Capital Securities. The
Guarantee will not apply to any payment except to the extent that the Trust has
funds available for the payment of such distributions. The Guarantee will cover
the payment of distributions and other payments on such Capital Securities only
if and to the extent that the Company has made payments of interest on or
principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Trust as its sole
assets. The Guarantee, when taken together with the Company's obligations under
the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Declaration and the Indenture, including
its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and other obligations of the Trust
(other than with respect to the Trust Securities), provide a full and
unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of amounts when
due on such Capital Securities.
If the Company fails to make interest or other payments on the Subordinated
Debt Securities when due (after giving effect to any Extension Period), the
Declaration provides a mechanism whereby the holders of the Capital Securities,
using the procedures described herein under "Description of the New Capital
Securities--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company" and
"--Voting Rights," may direct the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent
permitted by law to enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities.
If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Subordinated
Debt Securities after a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities
have so directed the Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of the Capital
Securities may to the fullest extent permitted by law institute a legal
proceeding against the Company to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights
under the Subordinated Debt Securities without first instituting any legal
proceedings against the Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Declaration Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company
to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities on the
respective dates such principal or interest is payable (or in the case of
redemption, on
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the redemption date), then a holder of record of the Capital Securities may
institute a Direct Action for payment on or after the respective due dates
specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities. In connection with such Direct
Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of the
Capital Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any payment made by
the Company to such holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct Action;
provided, however, that no such subrogation right may be exercised so long as a
Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
Because the Company is a bank holding company, the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Guarantee are effectively subordinated to all existing and
future liabilities, including trade payables, of the Company's subsidiaries,
except to the extent that the Company is a creditor of the subsidiaries
recognized as such.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
GENERAL
In the opinion of Arnold & Porter, Washington, D.C., in its capacity as
special tax counsel to the Company ("Tax Counsel"), the discussion of United
States federal income taxation which follows summarizes the principal material
United States federal income tax consequences of the Exchange Offer and of the
ownership and disposition of the New Capital Securities.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), Treasury regulations thereunder, and administrative and judicial
interpretations thereof, each as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The authorities on which this summary
is based are subject to various interpretations, and the opinions of Tax Counsel
are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or the courts, either of
which could take a contrary position. Moreover, no rulings have been or will be
sought from the IRS with respect to the transactions described herein.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the
opinions expressed herein or that a court would not sustain such a challenge.
Except as otherwise stated, this summary deals only with the Old Capital
Securities held as a capital asset by a holder who or which (i) purchased the
Old Capital Securities upon original issuance at their original offering price
and (ii) is a US Holder (as defined below). This summary does not address all
the tax consequences that may be relevant to a US Holder, nor does it address
the tax consequences, except as stated below, to holders that are not US Holders
or to holders that may be subject to special tax treatment (such as banks,
thrift institutions, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment
companies, insurance companies, brokers and dealers in securities or currencies,
other financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, persons holding the
Capital Securities as a position in a "straddle," as part of a "hedging,"
"conversion" or other integrated investment, persons having a functional
currency other than the U.S. Dollar and certain United States expatriates).
Further, this summary does not address (a) the income tax consequences to
shareholders in, or partners or beneficiaries of, a holder of the Capital
Securities, (b) the United States federal alternative minimum tax consequences
of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the Capital Securities, or (c) any
state, local or foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Capital Securities.
A "US Holder" is a holder of the Capital Securities who or which is (i) a
citizen or individual resident (or is treated as a citizen or individual
resident) of the United States for income tax purposes, (ii) a corporation or
partnership created or organized (or treated as created or organized for income
tax purposes) in or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in its
gross income for United States federal income tax purposes without regard to its
source, or (iv) a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (b) one or
more United States trustees have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust.
HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION
OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES
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UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF
CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS. FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE
POSSIBLE REDEMPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN TAX
EVENTS SEE "DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES-- REDEMPTION."
US HOLDERS
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRUST
In connection with the Exchange Offer, Tax Counsel has rendered its opinion
that, under then current law and based on the representations, facts and
assumptions set forth in this Prospectus, and assuming full compliance with the
terms of the Declaration (and other documents), and based on certain assumptions
and qualifications referenced in such counsel's written opinion, the Trust will
be characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor
trust and will not be characterized as an association taxable as a corporation
for such purposes. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes,
each holder of the Capital Securities generally will be considered the owner of
an undivided interest in the New Subordinated Debt Securities owned by the
Trust, and each US Holder will be required to include all income or gain
recognized for United States federal income tax purposes with respect to its
allocable share of the New Subordinated Debt Securities on its own income tax
return.
THE EXCHANGE
An exchange of Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities pursuant
to the Exchange Offer will not constitute a taxable event for federal income tax
purposes. As a result, US Holders who exchange their Old Capital Securities for
New Capital Securities should not recognize any income, gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes with respect to such exchange. An exchanging US Holder will
have the same adjusted basis and holding period in the New Capital Securities as
it had in the Old Capital Securities immediately before the exchange.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
In connection with the Exchange Offer, Tax Counsel has rendered its opinion
that, under then current law and based on the representations, facts and
assumptions set forth in this Prospectus, and assuming full compliance with the
terms of the Indenture (and other documents), and based on certain assumptions
and qualifications referenced in such counsel's written opinion, the New
Subordinated Debt Securities will be characterized for United States federal
income tax purposes as debt of the Company. The Company and the Trust have
agreed to treat the New Subordinated Debt Securities as indebtedness for all
United States federal income tax purposes.
INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Under the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company has the
option to defer payments of interest from time to time by extending the interest
payment period for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods, but
not beyond the maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Recently issued
Treasury regulations under Section 1273 of the Code provide that debt
instruments like the Subordinated Debt Securities will not be considered issued
with OID by reason of the Company's option to defer payments of interest if the
likelihood of deferral is "remote."
The Company has concluded, and this discussion assumes, that, as of the
date of original issue of the Old Subordinated Debt Securities, the likelihood
of exercise of that option was "remote" within the meaning of the applicable
regulations, in part because exercising that option would prevent the Company
from declaring dividends on its stock and would prevent the Company from making
any payments with respect to debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior
to the Subordinated Debt Securities. Therefore, the Subordinated Debt Securities
should not be treated as issued with OID by reason of the Company's deferral
option. Moreover, the Company has determined that the Old Subordinated Debt
Securities were not otherwise issued
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with OID. Consequently, stated interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities will
generally be taxable to a US Holder as ordinary income when paid or accrued in
accordance with that holder's method of accounting for income tax purposes. It
should be noted, however, that these regulations may in the future be analyzed
and interpreted by the Service in rulings or other published documents.
Accordingly, it is possible that the Service could take a position contrary to
the interpretation described herein.
In the event the Company exercises its option to defer payments of
interest, the New Subordinated Debt Securities would be treated as reissued for
OID purposes and the sum of the remaining interest payments (and any de minimis
OID) on the New Subordinated Debt Securities would thereafter be treated as OID,
which would accrue, and be includible in a US Holder's taxable income, on an
economic accrual basis (regardless of the US Holder's method of accounting for
income tax purposes) over the remaining term of the New Subordinated Debt
Securities (including any period of interest deferral), without regard to the
timing of payments under the New Subordinated Debt Securities. (Subsequent
distributions of interest on the New Subordinated Debt Securities generally
would not be taxable.) The amount of OID that would accrue in any period would
generally equal the amount of interest that accrued on the New Subordinated Debt
Securities in that period at the stated interest rate. Consequently, during any
period of interest deferral, US Holders will include OID in gross income in
advance of the receipt of cash, and a US Holder which disposes of a Capital
Security prior to the record date for payment of distributions on the New
Subordinated Debt Securities following that period will be subject to income tax
on OID accrued through the date of disposition (and not previously included in
income), but will not receive cash from the Trust with respect to that OID.
If the Company's option to defer payments of interest were not treated as
remote, the New Subordinated Debt Securities would be treated as initially
issued with OID in an amount equal to the aggregate stated interest (plus any de
minimis OID) over the term of the Subordinated Debt Securities. That OID would
generally be includible in a US Holder's taxable income, over the term of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, on an economic accrual basis.
CHARACTERIZATION OF INCOME
Because the income underlying the Capital Securities will not be
characterized as dividends for income tax purposes, corporate holders of the
Capital Securities will not be entitled to a dividends-received deduction for
any income recognized with respect to the Capital Securities.
MARKET DISCOUNT AND BOND PREMIUM
Holders of the Capital Securities may be considered to have acquired their
undivided interests in the Subordinated Debt Securities with market discount,
premium or acquisition premium (as each phrase is defined for United States
federal income tax purposes).
RECEIPT OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST
Under certain circumstances described herein (See "Description of the New
Capital Securities-- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution"), the Company
will have the right to distribute the New Subordinated Debt Securities to
holders in exchange for the Capital Securities and in liquidation of the Trust.
Except as discussed below, such a distribution would not be a taxable event for
United States federal income tax purposes, and each US Holder would have an
aggregate adjusted basis in its New Subordinated Debt Securities for United
States federal income tax purposes equal to such holder's aggregate adjusted
basis in its Capital Securities. For United States federal income tax purposes,
a US Holder's holding period in the New Subordinated Debt Securities received in
such a liquidation of the Trust would include the period during which the
Capital Securities were held by the holder. If, however, the relevant event is a
Tax Event which results in the Trust being treated as an association taxable as
a corporation, the distribution would likely constitute a taxable event to US
Holders of the Capital Securities for United States federal income tax purposes.
Under certain circumstances described herein (see "Description of the New
Capital Securities" and "Description of the Subordinated Debt
Securities--Redemption"), the New Subordinated Debt Securities
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may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption distributed to
holders in redemption of their Capital Securities. Such a redemption would be
taxable for United States federal income tax purposes, and a US Holder would
recognize gain or loss as if it had sold the Capital Securities for cash. See
"--Sales of Capital Securities" below.
SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
A US Holder that sells Capital Securities will recognize gain or loss equal
to the difference between its adjusted basis in the Capital Securities and the
amount realized on the sale of such Capital Securities. A US Holder's adjusted
basis in the Capital Securities generally will be its initial purchase price,
increased by OID previously included (or currently includible) in such holder's
gross income to the date of disposition, and decreased by payments received on
the Capital Securities (other than any interest received with respect to the
period prior to the effective date of the Company's first exercise of its option
to defer payments of interest). Any such gain or loss generally will be capital
gain or loss, and generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the
Capital Securities have been held for more than one year.
A holder who disposes of his Capital Securities between record dates for
payments of distributions thereon will be required to include accrued but unpaid
interest (or OID) on the New Subordinated Debt Securities through the date of
disposition in its taxable income for United States federal income tax purposes
(notwithstanding that the holder may receive a separate payment from the
purchaser with respect to accrued interest), and to deduct that amount from the
sales proceeds received (including the separate payment, if any, with respect to
accrued interest) for the Capital Securities (or as to OID only, to add such
amount to such holder's adjusted tax basis in its Capital Securities). To the
extent the selling price is less than the holder's adjusted tax basis (which
will include accrued but unpaid OID, if any), a holder will recognize a capital
loss. Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to
offset ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes.
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
On February 6, 1997, President Clinton released his budget proposals for
fiscal year 1998. The President's Proposal would generally deny corporate
issuers a deduction for interest on certain debt obligations that have a maximum
term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as indebtedness on the separate
balance sheet of the issuer, or, where the instrument is issued to a related
party (other than a corporation), where the holder or some other related party
issues a related instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's
consolidated balance sheet. As originally drafted, the President's Proposal
would be effective generally for instruments issued on or after the date of
first Congressional committee action. Although it is not clear from the
President's Proposal what constitutes Congressional "committee action," it
appears that, as drafted, the President's Proposal would not apply retroactively
to the Subordinated Debt Securities. However, if the President's Proposal (or
similar legislation) is enacted with retroactive effect with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company would not be entitled to an interest
deduction with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
On June 9, 1997, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer
released his draft proposed Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997. The Chairman's
Proposal would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest on
certain debt obligations that are payable in stock of the issuer or a related
party. The Chairman's Proposal does not contain a provision substantially
similar to the President's Proposal concerning disallowance of interest
deductions on long term debt obligations not treated as indebtedness on the
issuer's balance sheet. Accordingly, the Chairman's Proposal would not effect
the Subordinated Debt Securities.
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There can be no assurance that the President's Proposal will not be
enacted, and that, if enacted, it will not apply retroactively to the
Subordinated Debt Securities or that other legislation enacted after the date
hereof will not otherwise adversely affect the ability of the Company to deduct
the interest payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that a Tax Event will not occur. See "Description of the New
Capital Securities--Redemption."
NON-US HOLDERS
The following discussion applies to an Initial Holder who is not a US
Holder (a "Non-US Holder").
Payments to a holder of a Capital Security which is a Non-US Holder will
generally not be subject to withholding of income tax, provided that (a) the
beneficial owner of the Capital Security does not (directly or indirectly,
actually or constructively) own 10% or more of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (b) the beneficial
owner of the Capital Security is not a controlled foreign corporation that is
related to the Company through stock ownership, and (c) either (i) the
beneficial owner of the Capital Securities certifies to the Trust or its agent,
under penalties of perjury, that it is a Non-US Holder and provides its name and
address, or (ii) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial
institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade
or business (a "Financial Institution"), and holds the Capital Security in such
capacity, certifies to the Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that
such a statement has been received from the beneficial owner by it or by another
Financial Institution between it and the beneficial owner in the chain of
ownership, and furnishes the Trust or its agent with a copy thereof.
As discussed above (see "--Proposed Tax Law Changes"), changes in
legislation affecting the income tax consequences of the New Subordinated Debt
Securities are possible, and could adversely affect the ability of the Company
to deduct the interest payable on the New Subordinated Debt Securities.
Moreover, any such legislation could adversely affect Non-US Holders by
characterizing income derived from the New Subordinated Debt Securities as
dividends, generally subject to a 30% income tax (on a withholding basis) when
paid to a Non-US Holder, rather than as interest which, as discussed above, is
generally exempt from income tax in the hands of a Non-US Holder.
A Non-US Holder of a Capital Security will generally not be subject to
withholding of income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other
disposition of a Capital Security.
A Non-US Holder which holds the Capital Securities in connection with the
active conduct of a United States trade or business will be subject to income
tax on all income and gains recognized with respect to its proportionate share
of the New Subordinated Debt Securities.
INFORMATION REPORTING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments made
on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities held by a noncorporate
US Holder within the United States. In addition, payments made on, and payments
of the proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities to or through the
United States office of a broker are subject to information reporting unless the
holder thereof certifies as to its non-United States status or otherwise
establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. See
"--Backup Withholding." Taxable income on the Capital Securities for a calendar
year should be reported to US Holders on Forms 1099 by the following January
31st.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities may
be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% unless the holder complies with
certain identification or exemption requirements. Any amounts so withheld will
be allowed as a credit against the holder's income tax liability, or refunded,
provided the required information is provided to the Service.
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* * *
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY AND DOES NOT ADDRESS THE
CONSEQUENCES TO A PARTICULAR HOLDER OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION
OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES. HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO
CONTACT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THEIR PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own account
in connection with the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by Participating Broker-Dealers during the period referred to below in
connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in exchange for Old
Capital Securities if such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
Participating Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company and the Trust have agreed
that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such
New Capital Securities for a period of one year after the Expiration Date
(subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described herein). See
"The Exchange Offer--Resales of New Capital Securities." Neither the Company nor
the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the New Capital
Securities offered hereby. New Capital Securities received by broker-dealers for
their own accounts in connection with the Exchange Offer may be sold from time
to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in
negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the New Capital
Securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices
prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to
purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in
the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the
purchasers of any such New Capital Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells
New Capital Securities that were received by it for its own account in
connection with the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in
a distribution of such New Capital Securities may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any
such resale of New Capital Securities and any commissions or concessions
received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under
the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that
it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act.
For a period of one year after the date on which the Exchange Offer is
consummated, the Company and the Trust will promptly send additional copies of
this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this Prospectus to any
broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The
Company and the Trust have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Exchange
Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of the Old Capital
Securities) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and
will indemnify the holders of the Old Capital Securities (including any
broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
BENEFIT PLAN CONSIDERATIONS
Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan
subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA") (a "Plan"), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the
context of the Plan's particular circumstances before authorizing an investment
in the Capital Securities (including Old and New Capital Securities).
Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the
investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA
and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.
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Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans, as well
as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975 of the
Code (also "Plans"), from engaging in certain transactions involving "plan
assets" with persons who are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified
persons" under the Code ("Parties in Interest") with respect to such Plan. A
violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an excise tax or
other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons,
unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or
administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as
defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section
3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) are
not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
Under a regulation (the "Plan Assets Regulation") issued by the U.S.
Department of Labor (the "DOL"), the assets of the Trust would be deemed to be
"plan assets" of a Plan for purposes of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code if
"plan assets" of the Plan were used to acquire an equity interest in such Trust
and no exception were applicable under the Plan Assets Regulation. An "equity
interest" is defined under the Plan Assets Regulation as any interest in an
entity other than an instrument which is treated as indebtedness under
applicable local law and which has no substantial equity features and
specifically includes a beneficial interest in a trust.
Pursuant to an exception contained in the Plan Assets Regulation, the
assets of the Trust would not be deemed to be "plan assets" of investing Plans
if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of any equity interest in the
Trust, less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interests in the Trust
were held by Plans, other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code (such as governmental, church and foreign plans), and entities
holding assets deemed to be "plan assets" of any Plan (collectively, "Benefit
Plan Investors"). No assurance can be given that the value of the Capital
Securities held by Benefit Plan Investors will be less than 25% of the total
value of such Capital Securities, and no monitoring or other measures will be
taken with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions to this exception. All
of the Common Securities will be purchased and held by the Company.
Under another exception contained in the Plan Assets Regulation, if New
Capital Securities received as a result of the Exchange Offer were to qualify as
"publicly offered securities" under the Plan Assets Regulation, the assets of
the Trust would not be deemed to be "plan assets" by reason of a Plan's
acquisition or holding of such securities. The New Capital Securities would
qualify as "publicly offered securities" if, among other things, they are
offered pursuant to an effective registration statement, are owned by 100 or
more investors independent of the issuer and each other at the time of the
offering, and are subsequently registered under the Exchange Act. It is expected
that the 100 investor requirement will not be satisfied and that the New Capital
Securities will not be registered under the Exchange Act.
Certain transactions involving the Trust could be deemed to constitute
direct or indirect prohibited transactions under ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code with respect to a Plan if the Capital Securities were acquired with "plan
assets" of such Plan and assets of the Trust were deemed to be "plan assets" of
Plans investing in the Trust. For example, if the Company is a Party in Interest
with respect to an investing Plan (either directly or by reason of its ownership
of its subsidiaries), extensions of credit between the Company and the Trust (as
represented by the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantees) would likely
be prohibited by Section 406(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and Section 4975(c)(1)(B) of the
Code, unless exemptive relief were available under an applicable exemption (see
below).
The DOL has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions ("PTCEs")
that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions
resulting from the purchase or holding of the Capital Securities, assuming that
assets of the Trust were deemed to be "plan assets" of Plans investing in the
Trust (see above). Those class exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain
transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain
transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for
certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for
certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts), and PTCE
84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified asset
managers).
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Because the Capital Securities may be deemed to be equity interests in the
Trust for purposes of applying ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, the Capital
Securities may not be purchased or held by any Plan, any entity whose underlying
assets include "plan assets" by reason of any Plan's investment in the entity (a
"Plan Asset Entity") or any person investing "plan assets" of any Plan, unless
such purchase or holding is covered by the exemptive relief provided by PTCE
96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 or another applicable exemption. If a
purchaser or holder of the Capital Securities that is a Plan or a Plan Asset
Entity elects to rely on an exemption other than PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1
or 84-14, the Company and the Trust may require a satisfactory opinion of
counsel or other evidence with respect to the availability of such exemption for
such purchase and holding. Any purchaser or holder of the Capital Securities or
any interest therein will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and
holding thereof that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is
not purchasing such securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan or
(b) (i) it is covered by the exemptive relief provided by PTCE 96-23, 95-60,
91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 or another applicable exemption with respect to such
purchase or holding, (ii) the Company and the Administrators are not
"fiduciaries," within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA and the regulations
thereunder, with respect to its interest in the Capital Securities or the
Subordinated Debt Securities, and (iii) in purchasing the Capital Securities it
approves the purchase and holding of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
appointment and retention of the Issuer Trustees.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed
upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly
important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the Capital
Securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan consult with their
counsel regarding the potential consequences if the assets of the Trust were
deemed to be "plan assets" and the availability of exemptive relief under PTCE
96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14.
Governmental plans and certain church plans are not subject to ERISA and
are also not subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 4975 of
the Code. However, state laws or regulations governing the investment and
management of the assets of such plans may contain fiduciary and prohibited
transaction provisions similar to those under ERISA and the Code discussed
above. Accordingly, fiduciaries of governmental plans and church plans, in
consultation with their advisers, should consider the impact of their respective
state laws on investments in the Capital Securities, and the considerations
discussed above, to the extent applicable.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Trust
Securities will be passed upon for the Trust by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.,
special Delaware counsel to the Trust and the Company. Certain matters of New
York and Tennessee law relating to the validity of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, the Guarantee and related matters will be passed upon for the
Company by Arnold &. Porter, Washington, D.C. and Charles Neale, Vice President
and General Counsel of the Company. Certain United States federal income tax
matters will be passed upon for the Company and the Trust by Arnold & Porter,
Washington, D.C. As of June 13, 1997, Mr. Neale beneficially owned 80,000 shares
of common stock of the Company and vested options to purchase an additional
18,000 shares of common stock of the Company.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated therein
by reference and incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report,
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
complete text of the statute, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreements
and Declaration referred to below.
Under Part 5 of Article 18 of the Tennessee Securities Act, a corporation
may indemnify a director or officer of the corporation who is made a party to a
proceeding against liability incurred in the proceeding if (1) he conducted
himself in good faith and (2) he reasonably believed (a) that his conduct was in
the best interest of the corporation in the case of conduct in his official
capacity, (b) that his conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation's
best interest in all other cases, and (c) he had no reasonable cause to believe
his conduct was unlawful in the case of a criminal proceeding. A corporation may
not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of
the corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation or
in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to
him, in which he was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by him.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director of the
Company shall be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) for unlawful distributions
under the laws of Tennessee.
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify any person who
is made a party to a suit by or in the right of the Company by reason of the
fact that he is or was an officer or director of the Company, against amounts
paid in settlement and reasonable expenses incurred as a result of such suit or
proceeding or any appeal therein to the extent permitted by, and in the manner
provided by, Tennessee law. The Company will indemnify any person made, or
threatened to be made, a party to a suit other than by or in the right of any
corporation, by reason of the fact that he was an officer or director of the
Company or served such other corporation in any capacity, against judgments,
fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses incurred as a result
of such suit or proceeding or any appeal therein, if such director or officer
acted in good faith for a purpose he reasonably believed to be in the best
interest of the Company and, in criminal actions or proceedings, in addition,
had no reasonable cause to believe that this conduct was unlawful, and to the
extent permitted by, and in the manner provided by, Tennessee law.
The Company maintains a directors and officers liability insurance policy.
Such policy has a deductible of $150,000 and an annual per occurrence and
aggregate cap on coverage of $20 million. In addition, the Company maintains a
general liability insurance policy with an annual per occurrence and aggregate
cap of $20 million.
Under the Declaration, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, each trustee and administrator of the Trust (and any
affiliated party thereto) who was or is a party to any completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
trustee or administrator against expenses (including attorneys' fees and
expenses), arising out of or in connection with the creation, operation or
dissolution of the Trust or any act or omission performed or omitted by such
person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such person
by the Declaration, except that no such person shall be entitled to be
indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such person by
reason of negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or
omissions.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
An index of exhibits appears at page II-7, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
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ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement:
(a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs 1(a) and 1(b) do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrants pursuant to section 13 or
section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each
filing of a Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
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.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes to respond to
requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus
pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of
receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first-class
mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in
documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement
through the date of responding to the request.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes to supply by means of
a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.
II-2
<PAGE> 74
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrants
have been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrants of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrants in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrants will, unless in the opinion of 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 Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
<PAGE> 75
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, National Commerce
Bancorporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all the requirements for filing this Registration Statement on Form S-4 and has
duly caused this to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Memphis, Tennessee, on June 13, 1997.
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
By: /s/ LEWIS E. HOLLAND
------------------------------------
Lewis E. Holland
Executive Vice President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
below on June 13, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
*THOMAS M. GARROTT Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
- --------------------------------------------- Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Thomas M. Garrott Executive Officer)
/s/ LEWIS E. HOLLAND Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
- --------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Lewis E. Holland Financial Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer)
Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Frank G. Barton, Jr.
*R. GRATTAN BROWN, JR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
R. Grattan Brown, Jr.
*BRUCE E. CAMPBELL, JR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Bruce E. Campbell, Jr.
*JOHN D. CANALE, III Director
- ---------------------------------------------
John D. Canale, III
*EDMOND D. CICALA Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Edmond D. Cicala
*THOMAS C. FARNSWORTH, JR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Thomas C. Farnsworth, Jr.
Director
- ---------------------------------------------
R. Lee Jenkins
*W. NEELY MALLORY, JR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
W. Neely Mallory, Jr.
*JAMES E. MCGEHEE, JR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
James E. McGehee, Jr.
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 76
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
*HARRY J. PHILLIPS, SR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Harry J. Phillips, Sr.
*RUDI E. SCHEIDT Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Rudi E. Scheidt
*SIDNEY A. STEWART, JR. Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Sidney A. Stewart, Jr.
*G. MARK THOMPSON Director
- ---------------------------------------------
G. Mark Thompson
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ LEWIS E. HOLLAND
-----------------------------------
Lewis E. Holland, as
Attorney-in-Fact
II-5
<PAGE> 77
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, National Commerce
Capital Trust I certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all the requirements for filing this Registration Statement on Form S-4
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Memphis, Tennessee on
June 13, 1997.
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
By: /s/ LON M. MAGNESS
------------------------------------
Name: Lon M. Magness
Administrator
II-6
<PAGE> 78
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION PAGE
- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----
<C> <S> <C>
3.1 Restated Charter of the Company, as amended and restated (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996,
File No. 0-6094)..............................................................
3.2 Bylaws of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, File No. 0-6094)..............
3.3 Certificate of Trust of the Trust, dated March 14, 1997, as filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware...................................
4.1 Indenture, dated as of March 27, 1997, between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as Trustee..............................................................
4.2 First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 27, 1997, between the Company and
The Bank of New York, as Trustee..............................................
4.3 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March 27, 1997, among
the Company, the Trust, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, The
Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrators named
therein.......................................................................
4.4 Form of Guarantee Agreement entered into by the Company and The Bank of New
York, as Guarantee Trustee, and registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended....................................................................
4.5 Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 27, 1997 between the Trust, the
Company and the Initial Purchasers named therein..............................
5.1 Opinion of Arnold & Porter, as to the legality of the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Guarantee*.................................................
5.2 Opinion of Charles Neale, Vice President and General Counsel of the Company,
as to the legality of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee*.....
5.3 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, special Delaware counsel, as to the
legality of the Capital Securities*...........................................
8.1 Opinion of Arnold & Porter, special tax counsel, as to certain federal income
tax matters*..................................................................
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP..................................................
23.2 Consent of Arnold & Porter (to be included in Exhibit 5.1)....................
23.3 Consent of Charles Neale (to be included in Exhibit 5.2)......................
23.4 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (to be included in Exhibit 5.3)..........
24.1 Powers of Attorney............................................................
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee
under the Indenture...........................................................
25.2 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust...........................
25.3 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York under the Guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of Capital Securities..........................
99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal.................................................
99.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.........................................
99.3 Form of Exchange Agent Agreement..............................................
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment.
II-7
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 3.3
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
THIS Certificate of Trust of National Commerce
Capital Trust I (the "Trust") dated March 14, 1997, is
being duly executed and filed by The Bank of New York
(Delaware), as trustee, to form a business trust under
the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C 3801 et
seq.).
1. Name. The name of the business trust formed
hereby is National Commerce Capital Trust I.
2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business
address of the trustee of the Trust in the State of
Delaware is The Bank of New York (Delaware), White Clay
Center, Newark, Delaware 19711.
3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust
shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of
State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the
trustee of the Trust, has executed this Certificate of
Trust as of the date first above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
as trustee
By /s/Frederick Clark
Name: Fredrick Clark
Title: Vice President
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.1
================================================================================
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
as Issuer
INDENTURE
Dated as of March 27, 1997
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Trustee
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
TIE-SHEET
of provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with Indenture dated as of March
27, 1997 between National Commerce Bancorporation, as Issuer, and The Bank of
New York, as Trustee:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
310(a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.09
310(a)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.09
310(a)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
310(a)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
310(a)(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.09
310(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.08; 6.10(a)(b) and (d)
310(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
311(a) and (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.13
311(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.01; 4.02(a)
312(b) and (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.02(b) and (c)
313(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.04(a)
313(b)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
313(b)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.04(a)
313(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.04(a)
313(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.04(b)
314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.03
314(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
314(c)(1) and (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.06
314(c)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
314(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
314(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.06
314(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
315(a)(c) and (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.01
315(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.08
315(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.09
316(a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.01; 5.07
316(a)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.A.
316(a) last sentence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.04
316(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.04
317(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.02
317(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.04(a)
318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.08
</TABLE>
THIS TIE-SHEET IS NOT PART OF THE INDENTURE AS EXECUTED.
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Recitals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Authorization of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Compliance with Legal Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purpose of and Consideration for Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
-----------
Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Bankruptcy Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Board Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Capital Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Common Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Common Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Debt Security or Debt Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Debt Security Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Depositary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Exchange Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Global Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interest Payment Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
National Commerce Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Officers' Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Opinion of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Original Issue Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Original Issue Discount Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Predecessor Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Principal Office of the Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Responsible Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Securityholder, holder of Debt Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Trust Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Yield to Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
---------------
SECTION 2.02. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
-----------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
------------------------------------
SECTION 2.04. Authentication and Dating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
-------------------------
SECTION 2.05. Date and Denomination of Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
----------------------------------------
SECTION 2.06. Execution of Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
----------------------------
SECTION 2.07. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . 13
--------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.08. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . 15
----------------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
-------------------------
SECTION 2.10. Cancellation of Debt Securities Paid, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
-----------------------------------------
SECTION 2.11. Global Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
-----------------
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
-------------
ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
-------------------------------------
SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
--------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
----------------------------
SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
----------------------
SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
----------------------------------------
SECTION 3.07. Limitation on Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
-----------------------
SECTION 3.08. Covenants as to National Commerce Trusts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
----------------------------------------
SECTION 3.09. Calculation of Original Issue Discount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
--------------------------------------
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE IV
SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE
TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. Securityholders' Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
----------------------
SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
------------------------------------
SECTION 4.03. [Reserved] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SECTION 4.04. Reports by the Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
----------------------
SECTION 4.05. Reports by the Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
----------------------
SECTION 4.06. Statement as to Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
--------------------------
SECTION 4.07. Statement by Officers as to Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
-----------------------------------
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF
DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
-----------------
SECTION 5.02. Payment of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. . . . . . . . . . . . 27
----------------------------------------------------
SECTION 5.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
------------------------------------------
SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
------------------------------
SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
----------------------
SECTION 5.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
----------------------------------
SECTION 5.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of
--------------------------------------------------------------
Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
---------------
SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
------------------
SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
------------------------
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
--------------------------------------
SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
------------------------------------
SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
-----------------------------------
SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or
----------------------------------------------------------------
Registrar May Own Debt Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
---------------------------------
SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
--------------------------
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
------------------------------------
SECTION 6.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
---------------------------------
SECTION 6.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
-------------------------------
SECTION 6.09. Eligibility of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
----------------------
SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
---------------------------------
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
-------------------------------
SECTION 6.12. Succession by Merger, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
-------------------------
SECTION 6.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
---------------------------------------------
SECTION 6.14. Authenticating Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
---------------------
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. Action by Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
-------------------------
SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
-------------------------------------
SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
------------------------------
SECTION 7.04. Debt Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . 42
-------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
--------------------------------------------
ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 8.01. Purposes of Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
--------------------
SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
---------------------------
SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
----------------------------------------------
SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
-------------------------
SECTION 8.05. Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
-----------
SECTION 8.06. Voting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
------
SECTION 8.07. Quorum; Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
---------------
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. . . . . . . . . 46
----------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . 47
-------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of Supplemental Indentures. . . 48
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 9.04. Notation on Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
---------------------------
SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished
-----------------------------------------------------------------
to Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
----------
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
-----------------------------------------------
SECTION 10.02. Successor Entity to be Substituted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
----------------------------------
SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
-----------------------------------------
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 11.01. Discharge of Indenture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
----------------------
SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
-----------------------------------------------
SECTION 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
---------------------------------
SECTION 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
--------------------------
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Debt Securities Solely Corporate Obligations. . . . . . . . . 52
----------------------------------------------------------
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01. Successors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
----------
SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Entity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
---------------------------------
SECTION 13.03. Surrender of Company Powers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
---------------------------
SECTION 13.04. Addresses for Notices, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
--------------------------
SECTION 13.05. Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
-------------
SECTION 13.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
------------------------------------------------
SECTION 13.07. Non-Business Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
-----------------
SECTION 13.08. Trust Indenture Act to Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
------------------------------
SECTION 13.09. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
--------------------------------
SECTION 13.10. Execution in Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
-------------------------
SECTION 13.11. Separability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
------------
SECTION 13.12. Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
----------
SECTION 13.13. Acknowledgment of Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
------------------------
ARTICLE XIV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES -- MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL SINKING FUND
SECTION 14.01. Applicability of Article. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
------------------------
SECTION 14.02. Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
--------------------------------------------------
SECTION 14.03. Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
------------------------------------------------
SECTION 14.04. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
-----------------------------------
ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
------------------------
SECTION 15.02. Default on Senior Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
------------------------------
SECTION 15.03. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
------------------------------------
SECTION 15.04. Subrogation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
-----------
SECTION 15.05. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
-----------------------------------
SECTION 15.06. Notice by the Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
---------------------
SECTION 15.07. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. . . . . . . 63
--------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 15.08. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . 63
-----------------------------------------------------
SECTION 15.09. Subordination May Not Be Impaired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
---------------------------------
</TABLE>
vi
<PAGE> 8
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of March 27, 1997, between National
Commerce Bancorporation, a Tennessee corporation (hereinafter sometimes called
the "Company"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as
trustee (hereinafter sometimes called the "Trustee"),
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has
duly authorized the issue from time to time of its subordinated unsecured
debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness to be issued in one or more
series (the "Debt Securities") up to such principal amount or amounts as may
from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are to
be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the
execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture
a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:
In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Debt
Securities by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the
Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from
time to time of the Debt Securities or of a series thereof, as follows:
<PAGE> 9
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all
purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have
the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used
in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), or which are by reference therein defined
in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), shall (except
as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise
requires) have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act
and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture as
originally executed. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly
defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and the term "generally accepted
accounting principles" means such accounting principles as are generally
accepted at the time of any computation. The words "herein," "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a
whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The
words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by
the phrase "without limitation."
"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 executive 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 executive officer, director or general partner.
"Authenticating Agent" shall mean any agent or agents of the
Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section
6.14.
"Bankruptcy Law" shall mean Title 11, U.S. Code, or any
similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
"Board of Directors" shall mean the board of directors or the
executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of the
Company.
"Board Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly
adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the
date of such certification and delivered to
2
<PAGE> 10
the Trustee.
"Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Debt
Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which
banking institutions in New York City (in the State of New York) are permitted
or required by any applicable law to close.
"Capital Securities" shall mean undivided preferred beneficial
interests in the assets of a National Commerce Trust which rank pari passu with
Common Securities issued by such National Commerce Trust; provided, however,
that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration
with respect to such National Commerce Trust), the rights of holders of such
Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders
of such Capital Securities.
"Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean, in respect of any
National Commerce Trust, any guarantee that the Company may enter into with The
Bank of New York or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the
benefit of holders of Capital Securities of such National Commerce Trust.
"Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by any one of
the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the
principal accounting officer of the Company.
"Common Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of a National Commerce Trust which rank pari passu with Capital
Securities issued by such National Commerce Trust; provided, however, that upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration with
respect to such National Commerce Trust), the rights of holders of such Common
Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders
of such Capital Securities.
"Common Securities Guarantee" shall mean, in respect of any
National Commerce Trust, any guarantee that the Company may enter into with any
Person or Persons and that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of
holders of Common Securities of such National Commerce Trust.
"Company" shall mean National Commerce Bancorporation, a
Tennessee corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall
include its successors and assigns.
"Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee,
liquidator, or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Debt Security" or "Debt Securities" shall have the meaning
stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any
debt security or debt securities, as
3
<PAGE> 11
the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
"Debt Security Register" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.07.
"Declaration," with respect to a National Commerce Trust,
shall mean the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of such National
Commerce Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that with notice
or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Depositary" shall mean, with respect to Debt Securities of
any series for which the Company shall determine that such Debt Securities will
be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New
York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency
under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in
each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.03
or 2.11.
"Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section
5.01, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the
notice, if any, therein designated.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
"Global Security" shall mean, with respect to any series of
Debt Securities, a Debt Security executed by the Company and delivered by the
Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, all in
accordance with this Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee.
"Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed
or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or
supplemented, or both, and shall include the form and terms of particular
series of Debt Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
"Institutional Trustee" has the meaning set forth in the
Declaration of the applicable National Commerce Trust.
"Interest" shall mean, when used with respect to noninterest
bearing Debt Securities, interest payable after maturity.
"Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any
installment of interest on a Debt Security of a particular series, shall mean
the date specified in such Debt Security or in a Board Resolution or in an
indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on
which an installment of interest with respect to Debt Securities of that series
is due and payable.
"National Commerce Trust" shall mean a Delaware business
trust, or any other
4
<PAGE> 12
similar trust created for the purpose of issuing Capital Securities in
connection with the issuance of Debt Securities under this Indenture, of which
the Company is the sponsor.
"Mortgage" shall mean and include any mortgage, pledge, lien,
security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other
similar encumbrance.
"Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by the
Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Managing Director
or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the
Comptroller, an Assistant Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall
include the statements provided for in Section 13.06 if and to the extent
required by the provisions of such Section.
"Opinion of Counsel" shall mean an opinion in writing signed
by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or may
be other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include
the statements provided for in Section 13.06 if and to the extent required by
the provisions of such Section.
"Original Issue Date" of any Debt Security (or any portion
thereof) shall mean the earlier of (a) the date of such Debt Security or (b)
the date of any Debt Security (or portion thereof) for which such Debt Security
was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or
substitution.
"Original Issue Discount Security" shall mean any Debt
Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to
be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 5.01.
The term "outstanding," when used with reference to Debt
Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, mean, as of any
particular time, all Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except
Debt Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(a)Debt Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or
redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been
deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other
than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust
by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent);
provided that, if such Debt Securities, or portions thereof, are to be
redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall
have been given as provided in Article Fourteen or provision
satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such
notice; and
(b)Debt Securities paid pursuant to Section 2.08 or in lieu of
or in substitution for which other Debt Securities shall have been
authenticated and delivered pursuant to
5
<PAGE> 13
the terms of Section 2.08 unless proof satisfactory to the Company
and the Trustee is presented that any such Debt Securities are held by
bona fide holders in due course.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal
amount of outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be
outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that
would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.01.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Debt Security means
every previous Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as
that evidenced by such particular Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this
definition, any Debt Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in
lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security shall be deemed to evidence
the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security.
"Principal Office of the Trustee," or other similar term,
shall mean the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its
corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time
of the execution of this Indenture shall be The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay
Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286.
"Responsible Officer" shall mean, with respect to the Trustee,
any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any
vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, any
assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Principal Trust
Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect
to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter
is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject.
"Securityholder," "holder of Debt Securities," or other
similar terms, shall mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular
Debt Security is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee
for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to the Company
(except any other obligations which rank pari passu with the Debt Securities of
a series), (i) the principal and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the
Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities,
debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company,
including, without limitation, any current or future indebtedness under any
indenture (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party; (ii) all
capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company
issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional
sale obligations of the
6
<PAGE> 14
Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement
(but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
business); (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any
letter of credit, any banker's acceptance, any security purchase facility, any
repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other
hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or
other transaction; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is
responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other
Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or
not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any indebtedness
between or among the Company or any Affiliate of the Company and (2) any series
of Debt Securities issued pursuant to this Indenture and guarantees in respect
of any such series of Debt Securities. Senior Indebtedness does not include
the Debt Securities of any series or any junior subordinated debt securities
issued in the future with subordination terms substantially similar to the Debt
Securities of any series. Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior
Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions irrespective of
any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.
"Subsidiary" shall mean with respect to any Person, (i) any
corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any
general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of
the outstanding partnership or similar interests of which shall at the time be
owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person
and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which
such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes
of this definition, "voting stock" means shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person
having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors
(or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the
occurrence of a contingency.
"Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 as in force at the date of execution of this Indenture, except as provided
in Section 9.03; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" shall mean, to the
extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so
amended.
"Trust Securities" shall mean Common Securities and Capital
Securities of a National Commerce Trust.
"Trustee" shall mean the Person identified as "Trustee" in the
first paragraph hereof, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof,
shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder. The term
"Trustee" as used with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities shall
mean the trustee with respect to that series.
7
<PAGE> 15
"Yield to Maturity" shall mean the yield to maturity on a
series of Debt Securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series of
Debt Securities, or if applicable, at the most recent predetermination of
interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial
practice.
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally.
The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially
the form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and as
set forth in an Officers' Certificate of the Company or in one or more
indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by
this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of
identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with
any rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution of the Debt Securities.
In the event the Debt Securities are issued in definitive form
pursuant to this Indenture, such Debt Securities shall be typed, printed,
lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any
other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities,
as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.
SECTION 2.02. Form of Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication.
The Trustee's certificate of authentication on all Debt
Securities shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated
therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
The Bank of New York, as Trustee
By
-------------------------
Authorized Signatory
SECTION 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series up to
the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of that series from time to
time authorized by or pursuant
8
<PAGE> 16
to a Board Resolution of the Company or pursuant to one or more indentures
supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Debt Securities of any
series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the
Company and set forth in an Officers' Certificate of the Company or established
in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:
(1)the title of the Debt Securities of the
series (which shall distinguish Debt Securities of the series
from all other Debt Securities);
(2)any limit upon the aggregate principal
amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for
Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration
of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt
Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.09,
9.04 or 14.03);
(3)the date or dates on which the principal
of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series
is payable;
(4)the rate or rates at which the Debt
Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the
method by which such interest may be determined, the date or
dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest
Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable or the
manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates and the
record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest
is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates;
(5)the place or places where the principal
of, and premium, if any, and any interest on Debt Securities
of the series shall be payable;
(6)the right, if any, to extend the interest
payment periods and the duration of such extension;
(7)the price or prices at which, the period
or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole
or in part, at the option of the Company, pursuant to any
sinking fund or otherwise:
(8)the obligation, if any, of the Company to
redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the
option of a Securityholder thereof and the price or prices at
which and the period or periods within which, and the terms
and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall
be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part,
pursuant to such obligation;
(9)if other than denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt
Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(10)if other than the principal amount
thereof, the portion of the
9
<PAGE> 17
principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall
be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof pursuant to Section 5.01 or provable in bankruptcy
pursuant to Section 5.02;
(11)any Events of Default with respect to the
Debt Securities of a particular series, if not set forth
herein;
(12)the form of the Debt Securities of the
series including the form of the certificate of authentication
of such series;
(13)any trustee, authenticating or paying
agents, warrant agents, transfer agents or registrars with
respect to the Debt Securities of such series;
(14)whether the Debt Securities of the series
shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such
Global Security or Securities, and whether beneficial owners
of interests in any such Global Securities may exchange such
interests for other Debt Securities of such series in the
manner provided in Section 2.07, and the manner and the
circumstances under which and the place or places where any
such exchanges may occur if other than in the manner provided
in Section 2.07, and any other terms of the series relating to
the global nature of the Global Securities of such series and
the exchange, registration or transfer thereof and the payment
of any principal thereof, or interest or premium, if any,
thereon;
(15)if the Debt Securities of the series are
issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act;
(16)the CUSIP number of the Debt Securities
of the series (if any); and
(17)any other terms of the series (which
terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this
Indenture).
All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially
identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in
or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such
indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action
taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate
record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the
delivery of the Officers' Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of
the series.
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SECTION 2.04. Authentication and Dating.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and
delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debt Securities of any
series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the
Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Debt
Securities to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman
of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman, the President, one of its Managing
Directors or one of its Vice Presidents and by its Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, without any further action by
the Company hereunder. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting
the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt
Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section
6.01) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon:
(1)a copy of any Board Resolution or Board
Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an
appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such
resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Company as the case may be;
(2)an executed supplemental indenture, if
any;
(3)an Officers' Certificate prepared in
accordance with Section 13.06 setting forth the form and terms
of the Debt Securities if and as required pursuant to Sections
2.01 and 2.03, respectively; and
(4)an Opinion of Counsel prepared in
accordance with Section 13.06 which shall also state:
(a)that the form of such Debt Securities has been
established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or by a
supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in
conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b)that the terms of such Debt Securities have been
established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of
Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by
Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture;
(c)that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each
case in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in
such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally
binding obligations of the Company; and
(d)that all laws and requirements in respect of the
execution and delivery by the Company of the Debt Securities,
have been complied with and that authentication and delivery
of the Debt Securities by the Trustee will not violate the
terms of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to
authenticate and deliver any Debt
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Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel,
determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would
expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.
SECTION 2.05. Date and Denomination of Debt Securities.
The Debt Securities shall be issuable as registered Debt
Securities without coupons and in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with
respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such
series shall be issuable in the denominations of $1,000 and any multiple
thereof. The Debt Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise
distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers
executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced
by the execution and authentication thereof.
Every Debt Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication, shall bear interest, if any, from such date and shall be
payable on such dates, in each case, as contemplated by Section 2.03. The
interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debt Securities of that
series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Debt Security (or one or
more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the
regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Debt
Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and
the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any
Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such
Debt Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Debt
Security as provided in Section 14.03.
Any interest on any Debt Security that is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for a Debt
Security of the same series (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular
record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest
shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or
clause (2) below:
(1)The Company may make payment of any Defaulted
Interest on Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt
Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are
registered at the close of business on a special record date for the
payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the
following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of
the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt
Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time
the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to
the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted
Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money
when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons
entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
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clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record
date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be
more than 15 nor less than ten days prior to the date of the proposed
payment and not less than ten days after the receipt by the Trustee of
the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify
the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the
expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of
such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be
mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or
her address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, not less than
ten days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed
payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date
therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest
shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities (or
their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such
special record date and shall be no longer payable pursuant to the
following clause (2).
(2)The Company may make payment of any Defaulted
Interest on any Debt Securities in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which
such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee
of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of
payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
In respect of any series of Debt Securities in which the right to extend the
interest payment periods has been provided pursuant to Section 2.03(6), any
interest scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring
during a valid extension of an interest payment period shall not be Defaulted
Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the
terms of such Debt Securities.
Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution of the
Company or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of
any series of Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the term
"regular record date" as used in this Section with respect to a series of Debt
Securities with respect to any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean
either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which
an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01
hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month,
or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an
Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01
hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a
month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Debt
Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of
transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of such
series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue,
that were carried by such other Debt Security.
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SECTION 2.06. Execution of Debt Securities.
The Debt Securities shall be signed in the name and on behalf
of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the
Board of Directors, Vice Chairman, President, one of its Managing Directors or
one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents
and by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary, one of its Assistant
Secretaries, its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers, under its
corporate seal which may be affixed thereto or printed, engraved or otherwise
reproduced thereon, by facsimile or otherwise, and which need not be attested.
Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication
substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized officer, shall be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any
purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any
Debt Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the
Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered
hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any
of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Debt
Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debt
Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as
though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such
officer of the Company; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the
Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt
Security, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of
the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
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SECTION 2.07. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debt
Securities.
Subject to Section 2.03(14), Debt Securities of any series may
be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the
same series of other authorized denominations. Debt Securities to be exchanged
may be surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at
any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such purpose as
provided in Section 3.02, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the
Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall
authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debt
Security or Debt Securities which the Securityholder making the exchange shall
be entitled to receive. Subject to Section 2.03(14), upon due presentment for
registration of transfer of any Debt Security of any series at the principal
corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company
maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.02, the Company shall
execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the
name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of
the same series for a like aggregate principal amount. Registration or
registration of transfer of any Debt Security by the Trustee or by any agent of
the Company appointed pursuant to Section 3.02, and delivery of such Debt
Security, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of
transfer of such Debt Security.
The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency
maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as
provided in Section 3.02, a register (the "Debt Security Register") for each
series of Debt Securities issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable
regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration
and transfer of all Debt Securities as in this Article Two provided. Such
register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being
converted into written form within a reasonable time.
All Debt Securities presented for registration of transfer or
for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or
the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and
the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by, the holder or his
attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any exchange or
registration of transfer of Debt Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
The Company or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange
or register a transfer of (a) any Debt Security for a period of 15 days next
preceding the date of selection of Debt Securities of such series for
redemption, or (b) any Debt Securities of any series selected, called or being
called for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Debt
Securities of any series to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to
be redeemed.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if pursuant to Section 2.03, a
series of Debt Securities are issued pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, such Debt Securities may not be transferred except in
compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth below (the
"Restrictive Securities Legend"), unless otherwise determined by the Company
pursuant to Section 2.03 and in accordance with applicable law:
THE DEBT SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS DEBT SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION
HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS DEBT SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH DEBT SECURITY PRIOR TO THE
DATE WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND
THE LAST DATE ON WHICH NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION (THE "COMPANY") OR ANY
AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS DEBT SECURITY OR ANY PREDECESSOR
OF THIS DEBT SECURITY (THE "RESALE RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION DATE") ONLY (A) TO
THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE DEBT SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE
PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE
144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN
RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE
MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE DEBT SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR
THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR," FOR INVESTMENT
PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT,
SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER
PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF
COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE
COMPANY. THE HOLDER OF THIS DEBT SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE
FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. DEBT SECURITIES OWNED BY A PURCHASER THAT IS NOT A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER MAY NOT BE HELD IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM. THIS LEGEND
WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE
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RESALE RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION DATE.
Prior to any distribution of the Debt Securities to the
holders of Capital Securities in accordance with the related Declaration, the
Company and the Trustee shall enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to
Article IX to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions with respect to
the Debt Securities substantially similar to those contained in the Declaration
with respect to Capital Securities of the corresponding series to the extent
applicable in the circumstances existing at the time of such distribution for
purposes of assuring, if applicable, that no registration of such Debt
Securities is required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
SECTION 2.08. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt
Securities.
In case any temporary or definitive Debt Security shall become
mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute, and upon
its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debt
Security of the same series bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding,
in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debt Security, or in lieu of and
in substitution for the Debt Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every
case the applicant for a substituted Debt Security shall furnish to the Company
and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the
applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the
ownership thereof.
The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debt
Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any
officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security,
the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or
is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become
mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing
a substitute Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without
surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the
applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such
security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless
and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the
Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security
and of the ownership thereof.
Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant
to the provisions of this Section 2.08 by virtue of the fact that any such Debt
Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all
the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Debt Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Debt
Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, the
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foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities and shall preclude any
and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or
hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of
negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Debt Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any
series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery temporary Debt Securities that are typed, printed or
lithographed. Temporary Debt Securities shall be issuable in any authorized
denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities
but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for
temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such
temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated
by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner,
and with the same effect, as the definitive Debt Securities. Without
unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent definitive Debt Securities and thereupon any or all
temporary Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange
therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any
office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in
Section 3.02, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate
and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debt Securities
a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive Debt Securities. Such
exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge
therefor except that in case of any such exchange involving a registration of
transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax,
fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all
respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive
Debt Securities of the same series authenticated and delivered hereunder.
SECTION 2.10. Cancellation of Debt Securities Paid, etc.
All Debt Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment,
redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the
Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly
canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent,
shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in
lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this
Indenture. All Debt Securities canceled by any Authenticating Agent shall be
delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall return all canceled Debt
Securities to the Company for destruction unless the Company otherwise directs
the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debt
Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or
satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debt Securities unless and
until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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SECTION 2.11. Global Securities.
(a)If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.03
that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global
Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance
with Section 2.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall
represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of, all or a specified portion of the outstanding Debt
Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the
Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction and (iv) shall bear a
legend substantially to the following effect: "Except as otherwise provided in
Section 2.11 of the Indenture, this Debt Security may be transferred, in whole
but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor
Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary."
(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.07, the Global
Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and only in
the manner provided in Section 2.07, only to another nominee of the Depositary
for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or
approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(c)If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Debt
Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series
shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or
other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such
series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company
receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be,
this Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Debt Securities of such
series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.07, the Trustee,
upon written request of the Company, will authenticate and make available for
delivery the Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form
without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in
exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time
determine that the Debt Securities of any series shall no longer be represented
by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no
longer apply to the Debt Securities of such series. In such event the Company
will execute and subject to Section 2.07, the Trustee, upon receipt of an
Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will
authenticate and make available for delivery the Debt Securities of such series
in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and
in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global
Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the
exchange of the Global Security for such Debt Securities in definitive
registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global
Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Debt Securities in definitive
registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this
Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or
indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee
shall deliver such Debt
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Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such
Debt Securities are so registered.
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Debt Securities may use "CUSIP"
numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP"
numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided
that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as
contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and any such
redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the
CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each
series of Debt Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be
paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Debt
Securities of that series at the place, at the respective times and in the
manner provided in such Debt Securities. At the option of the Company, each
installment of interest on the Debt Securities of any series may be paid (i) by
mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debt
Securities entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company
or (ii) if so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of such series as
contemplated by Section 2.03, by wire transfer to any account with a banking
institution located in the United States designated by such Person to the
paying agent no later than the related record date.
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SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.
So long as any of the Debt Securities remain outstanding, the
Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an
office or agency where the Debt Securities of each series may be presented for
payment, an office or agency where the Debt Securities of that series may be
presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture
provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the
Company in respect of the Debt Securities of that series or of this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the
location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof.
Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the
Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.03, such office or agency
for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In
case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or shall fail to give such notice
of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and
demands may be made and notices may be served at the principal corporate trust
office of the Trustee.
In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from
time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, where the Debt Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this
Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as
the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain any such office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give
to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission
thereof.
SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's
Office.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in
the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a
Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent.
(a)If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the
Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, it will cause such
paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such
agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section
3.04,
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for
the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
the Debt Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by
the Company or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities of such series;
(2) that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of
any failure by the
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Company (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make
any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and
(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of
any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to
the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.
(b)If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on
or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest,
if any, on the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities of such series a
sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or interest so becoming due and
will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of
any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debt Securities
of such series) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall
become due and payable.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series
of Debt Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of
and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt Securities of such
series, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal,
premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such paying agent is the
Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action
or failure to act.
(c)Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a
satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Debt
Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent
to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Company
or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts
herein contained.
(d)Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this
Section 3.04 is subject to Sections 11.03 and 11.04.
SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days
after the end of each fiscal year in each year, so long as Debt Securities of
any series are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course
of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company
they would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company in the
performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have
knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which
the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.
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SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.
The Company will not, while any of the Debt Securities remain
outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or
convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the
provisions of Article X hereof are complied with.
SECTION 3.07. Limitation on Dividends.
If Debt Securities of a series are initially issued to a
National Commerce Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the
issuance of Trust Securities by such National Commerce Trust (regardless of
whether Debt Securities continue to be held by such trust) and (i) there shall
have occurred and be continuing any event that would constitute an Event of
Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of
any obligations under a Capital Securities Guarantee or a Common Securities
Guarantee with respect to securities issued by such trust, or (iii) the Company
shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the
Debt Securities of such series by extending the interest payment period as
provided herein and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing,
then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make a
distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock or rights to
acquire such capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares
of any such capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock in connection
with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee
benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital
stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of
one class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or
rights to acquire such capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion
or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged, (iv) dividends and distributions made on the Company's capital stock
or rights to acquire such capital stock with the Company's capital stock or
rights to acquire such capital stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make any guarantee payments
(other than payments under a Capital Securities Guarantee or a Common
Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Company shall
not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company that rank pari
passu with or junior to the Debt Securities of such series.
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SECTION 3.08. Covenants as to National Commerce Trusts.
In the event Debt Securities of a series are initially issued to
a National Commerce Trust or the Institutional Trustee of such National
Commerce Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such
National Commerce Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities remain
outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities
of such National Commerce Trust; provided, however, that any permitted
successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company's
ownership of such Common Securities. The Company, as owner of a majority of
the Common Securities of such National Commerce Trust, shall use its reasonable
efforts to cause such National Commerce Trust (a) to remain a statutory
business trust, except in connection with a distribution of Debt Securities of
such series to the holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of such
National Commerce Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of such
National Commerce Trust or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations,
each as permitted by the Declaration of such National Commerce Trust, and (b)
to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes and (c) to use its reasonable efforts to cause each
holder of Trust Securities issued by such National Commerce Trust to be treated
as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debt Securities of such
series issued to such National Commerce Trust.
SECTION 3.09. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.
The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of
each calendar year a written notice specifying the amount of original issue
discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on
outstanding Debt Securities as of the end of such year.
ARTICLE IV
SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. Securityholders' Lists.
The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or
caused to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a)on each regular record date for each series of Debt
Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the
names and addresses of the Securityholders of such series of Debt Securities as
of such record date (and on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.03 for
non-interest bearing securities in each year); 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;
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except that no such lists need be furnished under this Section 4.01 so long as
the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debt Security
registrar for such series.
SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.
(a)The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of each series of Debt Securities (1) contained in the most recent list
furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 or (2) received by it in the
capacity of Debt Securities registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee
may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 upon receipt
of a new list so furnished.
(b)In case three or more holders of Debt Securities of any
series (hereinafter referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the
Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant
has owned a Debt Security of such series for a period of at least six months
preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the
applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debt Securities of such
series or with holders of all Debt Securities with respect to their rights
under this Indenture or under such Debt Securities and is accompanied by a copy
of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to
transmit, then the Trustee shall within five Business Days after the receipt of
such application, at its election, either:
(1)afford such applicants access to the information
preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions
of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, or
(2)inform such applicants as to the approximate
number of holders of such series or all Debt Securities, as the case
may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved
at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, and as to the approximate cost of
mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other
communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to
such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such
applicants, mail to each Securityholder of such series or all Debt Securities,
as the case may be, whose name and address appear in the information preserved
at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a)
of this Section 4.02 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which
is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the
Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the
payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after
such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law,
together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the
effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to
the best interests of the holders of Debt Securities of such series or all Debt
Securities, as the case may be, or
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would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify
the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by
applicable law, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified
in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any
of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of
such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for
hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an
order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such
Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and
the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any
obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
(c) Each and every holder of Debt Securities, by
receiving and holding the same, agrees with Company and the Trustee that
neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
and addresses of the holders of Debt Securities in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.02, regardless of the source
from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held
accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under
said subsection (b).
SECTION 4.03. [Reserved]
SECTION 4.04. Reports by the Trustee.
(a)The Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders such reports
concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided
pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act,
the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this
Indenture deliver to Securityholders a brief report, dated as of such May 15,
which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
(b)A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such
transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock
exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission, if
required by applicable law, and with the Company. The Company will promptly
notify the Trustee when the Debt Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
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SECTION 4.05. Reports by the Company.
Whether or not the Company is required by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, so long as any Debt Securities are outstanding,
the Company shall furnish to the holders of Debt Securities and the Trustee (i)
all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be
contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company
were required to file such Forms, and, with respect to the annual information
only, a report thereon by the Company's independent public accountants (who
shall be firm(s) of established national reputation) and (ii) all current
reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if
the Company were required to file such reports. All such information and
reports shall be filed with the Commission on or prior to the date on which
such filings would have been required to be made had the Company been subject
to the rules and regulations of the Commission. In addition, whether or not
required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company shall file
a copy of all such information and reports with the Commission for public
availability within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and
regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such
information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon
request. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is
for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such reports,
information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of
its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely
exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
SECTION 4.06. Statement as to Compliance.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee annually, commencing
March 27, 1998, a Certificate stating whether or not to the best knowledge of
the signer thereof the Company is in compliance (without regard to periods of
grace or notice requirements) with all conditions and covenants under this
Indenture, and if the Company shall not be in compliance, specifying such
non-compliance and the nature and status thereof of which such signer may have
knowledge.
SECTION 4.07. Statement by Officers as to Default.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible
and in any event within five days after the Company becomes aware of the
occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse
of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action
which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
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ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default.
The following Events of Default with respect to Debt
Securities of any series or such other events as may be established with
respect to the Debt Securities of that series as contemplated by Section 2.03
hereof shall be "Events of Default" with respect to Debt Securities of that
series:
(a)the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon
any Debt Securities of that series when it becomes 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 such Debt Securities shall not constitute a default in the payment
of interest for this purpose; or
(b)the Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of
the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Securities of that series as
and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon
redemption (including redemption for any sinking fund), by declaration of
acceleration or otherwise; or
(c)the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches,
any of its covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of that
series of Debt Securities established as contemplated in this Indenture (other
than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is
elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such
default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company
and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding Debt Securities of that series, a written notice specifying
such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(d)a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any
substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of
its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a
period of 90 consecutive days; or
(e)the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary
case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking
possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial
part of its
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property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or
(f)as to Debt Securities of any series issued to a National
Commerce Trust, such National Commerce Trust shall have voluntarily or
involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise
terminated its existence except in connection with (i) the distribution of the
Debt Securities of such series to holders of such Trust Securities in
liquidation of their interests in such National Commerce Trust, (ii) the
redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities of such National Commerce
Trust or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as
permitted by the Declaration of such National Commerce Trust.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect
to any series of Debt Securities, then, and in each and every such case, unless
the principal of all of the Debt Securities of that series shall have already
become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25%
in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then
outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee
if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Debt
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
Debt Securities of that series and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be
due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall
become immediately due and payable.
The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the
condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Debt Securities
are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of the Debt Securities of any series (or of all
the Debt Securities, as the case may be) 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 Company shall
pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest upon all the Debt Securities of such series (or of all
the Debt Securities, as the case may be) and the principal of and premium, if
any, on any and all Debt Securities of such series (or of all the Debt
Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by
acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law,
on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest
or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities)
specified in the Debt Securities of such series (or at the respective rates of
interest or Yields to Maturity of all the Debt Securities, as the case may be)
to the date of such payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient
to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee,
their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to
the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06, and if any and all Events of Default
under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, on Debt Securities which shall have become due by
acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided
herein -- then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series (or of all the
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Debt Securities, as the case may be) then outstanding, by written notice to the
Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to that series
(or with respect to all Debt Securities, as the case may be, in such case,
treated as a single class) and rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or
shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent
thereon.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right
under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or
abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or
shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such
case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debt Securities shall be
restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all
rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the
Debt Securities shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
SECTION 5.02. Payment of Debt Securities on Default; Suit
Therefor.
The Company covenants that (a) in case default shall be made
in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Debt Securities
of any series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such
default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default
shall be made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of
the Debt Securities of any series as and when the same shall have become due
and payable, whether at maturity of the Debt Securities of that series or upon
redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise -- then, upon demand
of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the
holders of the Debt Securities of that series the whole amount that then shall
have become due and payable on all such Debt Securities of that series for
principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with
interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the
overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case
of Original Issue Discount Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of that
series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to
cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation
to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to
the Trustee under Section 6.06. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to
pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee
of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions
or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final
decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company
or any other obligor on such Debt Securities and collect in the manner provided
by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on such Debt
Securities wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy
or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debt
Securities of any series under Title 11, United States Code, or any other
applicable law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for
the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of
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any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor
upon the Debt Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the
Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the
principal of the Debt Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as
therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 5.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by
intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or
claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Debt
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) owing
and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and, in case of any
judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or
documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and
each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel,
and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section
6.06 and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative
to the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of any series, or to
the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless
prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders
of the Debt Securities or any series in any election of a trustee or a standby
trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable
proceedings, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction
of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in
bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the
Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that
the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to
cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and
their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to
the Trustee under Section 6.06.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Debt Securities of any series or the rights of any
holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of
any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this
Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee
without the possession of any of the Debt Securities, or the production thereof
at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or
proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the
ratable benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any
proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to
which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all
the holders of the Debt Securities, and it shall not be
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necessary to make any holders of the Debt Securities parties to any such
proceedings.
SECTION 5.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee shall be applied in the
following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution
of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities in respect of
which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only
partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection
applicable to such series and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its
agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts due to the Trustee
under Section 6.06;
Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;
Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon
Debt Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any), and
interest on the Debt Securities of such series, in respect of which or for the
benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Debt Securities for
principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and
Fourth: The balance, if any, to the Company.
SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders.
No holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any
right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy hereunder,
unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of
an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and
unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities of that series then outstanding shall have given the Trustee a
written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have
offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee for 60
days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall
have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that no
holder of Debt Securities of any series shall have any right to prejudice the
rights of any other holder of Debt Securities of such series, obtain priority
or preference over any other such holder or enforce any right under this
Indenture except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and
common benefit of all holders of Debt Securities of the applicable series.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture,
however, the right of any holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Debt Security when due, or
to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such holder. For the protection
and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every
Securityholder
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and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law
or in equity.
SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee.
In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in
its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this
Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem
most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in
equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether
for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this
Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or
to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this
Indenture or by law.
SECTION 5.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.08, all powers and
remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive
of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the
Debt Securities, 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 series, and no delay or
omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debt Securities 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 an acquiescence therein; and,
subject to the provisions of Section 5.04, every power and remedy given by this
Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised
from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or
by the Securityholders.
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SECTION 5.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults
by Majority of Securityholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities of any or all series affected (voting as one class) at the time
outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such
series; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.01) the
Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the
Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly
prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee
being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed
may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall
determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee
in personal liability. Prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of
any series of the Debt Securities, or of all the Debt Securities, as the case
may be, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities of that series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders
of all of the Debt Securities of such series waive (or modify any previously
granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, including any default
or Event of Default the conditions for the occurrence of which are established
pursuant to Section 2.03, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt
Securities, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security
affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.08;
provided, however, that if the Debt Securities of such series are held by a
National Commerce Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification
to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in
liquidation preference of Trust Securities of the applicable National Commerce
Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver;
provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt
Security is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of
the Trust Securities of the applicable National Commerce 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 Debt Securities of such series shall be
restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default
or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of
Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.07,
said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities
of that series (or of all Securities, as the case may be) and this Indenture be
deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
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SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults.
The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a
default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, mail to all
Securityholders of that series, as the names and addresses of such holders
appear upon the Debt Security Register, notice of all defaults with respect to
that series known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured
before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purpose of this
Section 5.08 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a),
(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.01, not including periods of grace, if
any, provided for therein, and irrespective of the giving of written notice
specified in clause (c) of Section 5.01); and provided that, except in the case
of default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
any of the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee
in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the
interests of the Securityholders of such series; and provided further, that in
the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(c) no such
notice to Securityholders of such series shall be given until at least 60 days
after the occurrence thereof but shall be given within 90 days after such
occurrence.
SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any
Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that
any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for
any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant
in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such
court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having
due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such
party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall not apply to any
suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder,
or group of Securityholders of any series, holding in the aggregate more than
10% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series outstanding, or
to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment
of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security
against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.
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ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
With respect to the holders of any series of Debt Securities
issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default
with respect to Debt Securities of that series and after the curing or waiving
of all Events of Default which may have occurred, with respect to Debt
Securities of that series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of
Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series has occurred (which has
not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and
powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve
the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a)prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect
to Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of
Default with respect to that series which may have occurred
(1)the duties and obligations of the Trustee with
respect to Debt Securities of such series shall be determined solely
by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not
be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations
with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this
Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
this Indenture against the Trustee, and
(2)in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the
statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon
any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming
to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such
certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are
specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee
shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not
they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the
direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.07, relating to the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
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for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall
require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise
of any of its rights or powers, if there is ground for believing that the
repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of
this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk is
not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:
(a)the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond,
note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b)any request, direction, order or demand of the Company
mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed);
and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c)the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and
any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d)the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which may be incurred therein or thereby;
(e)the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing
contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Debt
Securities (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Debt
Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs;
(f)the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or
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matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or
other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of
not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities
of the series affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a
reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to
be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the
Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it
by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity
against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;
(g)the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall
not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such
agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and
(h)the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any
Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities unless either
(1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event
of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have
been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debt
Securities or by any holder of the Debt Securities.
SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.
The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities
(except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the
Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the
correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the
Debt Securities. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debt Securities or
the proceeds of any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture.
SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents,
Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debt Securities.
The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or
any transfer agent or any Debt Security registrar, in its individual or any
other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities with the
same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying
agent, transfer agent or Debt Security registrar.
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SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys
received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as
herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received,
but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest
on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing
with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to
time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board
of Directors, the President, a Managing Director, a Vice President, the
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.
The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from
time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable
compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the
Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company will 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 each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers,
agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and
all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes
based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or 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. The obligations of the
Company under this Section 6.06 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 Debt Securities 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 Debt Securities.
Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee
under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d), Section
5.01(e) or Section 5.01(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and
expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to
constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation
or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this
Indenture.
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SECTION 6.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01 and 6.02,
whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee
shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established
prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other
evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the
absence of negligence or 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 or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith
thereof.
SECTION 6.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee.
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, subject to the penultimate paragraph of such
section.
SECTION 6.09. Eligibility of Trustee.
The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation
or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Securities and Exchange
Commission authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers,
having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars
($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 6.09 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be
deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
records of condition so published.
The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as
Trustee; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified
under this Article.
In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Trustee shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.
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SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.
(a)The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter
appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of
Debt Securities by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and
by mailing notice thereof, at the Company's expense, to the holders of the
applicable series of Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on
the Debt Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the
Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to
the applicable series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of
its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the
resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor
Trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series of Debt
Securities and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of
such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning
Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of
a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
Debt Security or Debt Securities of the applicable series for at least six
months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a
successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it
may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
(b)In case at any time any of the following shall occur --
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of
Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security or
Debt Securities for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign after
written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder,
or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall
be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or
of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take
charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the
purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any
such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor
Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the
Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to
the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or,
subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, any Securityholder who has
been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security or Debt Securities of the
applicable series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself
and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if
any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and
appoint successor Trustee.
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(c)Upon prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee,
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities
of any series at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with
respect to such series and nominate a successor Trustee with respect to the
applicable series of Debt Securities, which shall be deemed appointed as
successor Trustee with respect to the applicable series unless within ten
Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case
the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder of the applicable series, upon the
terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.10
provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment
of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(d)Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment
of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10
shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee
as provided in Section 6.11.
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee.
Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10
shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor
Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee with respect to all or any
applicable series shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without
any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but,
nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor
Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due
it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06, execute and deliver an
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of
the Trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to
such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee
thereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall
execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting
in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any
Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or
funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it
pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06.
If a successor Trustee is appointed with respect to the Debt
Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring
Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any
applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable
to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring
Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which the
predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the
predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this
Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration
of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that
nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a
trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
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any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.
No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in
this Section 6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee
shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.08 and eligible under the
provisions of Section 6.09.
In no event shall a retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or
omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as
provided in this Section 6.11, the Company shall mail notice of the succession
of such Trustee hereunder to the holders of Debt Securities of any applicable
series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debt Security Register.
If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten Business Days after the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall
cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 6.12. Succession by Merger, etc.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a
party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the
corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee
hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on
the part of any of the parties hereto; provided such corporation shall be
otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall
succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities of
any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor
to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor
Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that
time any of the Debt Securities of any series shall not have been
authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of
the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the
full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities of such series or in
this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have;
provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of
any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debt Securities of any series in the
name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors
by merger, conversion or consolidation.
SECTION 6.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor.
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.
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SECTION 6.14. Authenticating Agents.
There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by
the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and
subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities
of any series issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully
to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been
expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debt Securities of such
series; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company for
any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the
authentication and delivery of Debt Securities of any series. Any such
Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory
thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as
Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$5,000,000 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of
such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.14 the combined capital
and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If
at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner
and with the effect herein specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any
Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or
substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent,
shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such
successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.14 without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties
hereto or such Authenticating Agent.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign with respect
to one or more or all series of Debt Securities by giving written notice of
resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to one or more or
all series of Debt Securities by giving written notice of termination to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.14, the
Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a
successor Authenticating Agent with respect to the applicable series eligible
under this Section 6.14, shall give written notice of such appointment to the
Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of the
applicable series of Debt Securities as the names and addresses of such holders
appear on the Debt Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent with
respect to all or any series upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall
become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect
to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as
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if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.
The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from
time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating
Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as
such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. Action by Securityholders.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of
a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of
any or all series may take any action (including the making of any demand or
request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other
action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such
specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument
or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders
in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of
such holders of Debt Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such
Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of
Article Eight, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and
any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d) by any other
method the Trustee deems satisfactory.
If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any
series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its option, as
evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such
series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or
revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If
such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given
before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the
close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for
the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion
of outstanding Debt Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or
consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the
outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record
date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by
such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it
shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later
than six months after the record date.
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SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, 6.02 and 8.05,
proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or
proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and
regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities shall be proved
by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Debt Security
registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter
referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
The record of any Securityholders' meeting shall be proved in
the manner provided in Section 8.06.
SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any
Debt Security, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying
agent, any transfer agent and any Debt Security registrar may deem the Person
in whose name such Debt Security shall be registered upon the Debt Security
Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debt Security
(whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and
(subject to Section 2.05) interest on such Debt Security and for all other
purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent
nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debt Security registrar
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to
any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the
extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the
liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.
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SECTION 7.04. Debt Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not
Outstanding.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate
principal amount of Debt Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or
waiver under this Indenture, Debt Securities which are owned by the Company or
any other obligor on the Debt Securities or by any Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities shall be
disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such
determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver,
only Debt Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been
pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this
Section 7.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee
the pledgee's right to vote such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not
the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such
right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be
full protection to the Trustee.
SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the
Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the
holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities
specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in
cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.01) or any holder
as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set
pursuant to Section 7.01) of a Debt Security (or any Debt Security issued in
whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of
which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the
holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice
with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of
holding as provided in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such
Debt Security (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any
exchanged or substituted Debt Security). Except as aforesaid any such action
taken by the holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon
such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Debt Security, and
of any Debt Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on
registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation
in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or any Debt Security issued
in exchange or substitution
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therefor.
ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 8.01. Purposes of Meetings.
A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be
called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this
Article Eight for any of the following purposes:
(a)to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to
give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default
hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be
taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;
(b)to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee
pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;
(c)to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02; or
(d)to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on
behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Debt
Securities under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee.
The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders
of any or all series to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held
at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the
Securityholders of any or all series, setting forth the time and the place of
such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such
meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debt Securities of each series affected
at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debt Securities Register for
each series affected. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more
than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
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SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders.
In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board
Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, then outstanding,
shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of any or
all series, as the case may be, by written request setting forth in reasonable
detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall
not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such
request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and
the place in said Borough of Manhattan for such meeting and may call such
meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice
thereof as provided in Section 8.02.
SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a
Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Debt Securities with respect to
which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in
writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debt Securities. The only
Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of
Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their
counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any
representatives of the Company and its counsel.
SECTION 8.05. Regulations.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the
Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any
meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debt
Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment
and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies,
certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters
concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by
the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case
the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be,
shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a
permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the
meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, at any meeting each
holder of Debt Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held or
proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount
(in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such principal amount to be
determined as provided in the definition "outstanding") of Debt Securities held
or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted
at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not outstanding
and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman
of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debt
Securities held by him or instruments
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in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of
other Securityholders. Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to
the provisions of Section 8.02 or 8.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a
majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the
meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
SECTION 8.06. Voting.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of
holders of Debt Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held
shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such
holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers
of the Debt Securities held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of
the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes
cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file
with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate
of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of
each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the
meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the
inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one
or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the
notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in
Section 8.02. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debt Securities
voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and
verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the
meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the
other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have
attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence
of the matters therein stated.
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SECTION 8.07. Quorum; Actions.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of
the Debt Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of
Securityholders of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be
taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand,
notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the
holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debt
Securities of a series, the Persons holding or representing such specified
percentage in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series will
constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time
appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request
of Securityholders of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting
may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the
permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In
the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting
may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by
the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such
adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be
given as provided in Section 8.02, except that such notice need be given only
once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is
scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting
shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal
amount of the Debt Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as limited by the proviso in the first paragraph of
Section 9.02, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly
reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the
affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt
Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the
proviso in the first paragraph of Section 9.02, any resolution with respect to
any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other
action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of
not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debt Securities
of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened
and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of
the Debt Securities of that series.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of
holders of Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this
Section shall be binding on all the Securityholders of such series, whether or
not present or represented at the meeting.
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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of
Securityholders.
The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the
Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the
Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a)to evidence the succession of another corporation to the
Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor
corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company,
pursuant to Article X hereof;
(b)to add to the covenants of the Company such further
covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of all
or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the
benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities stating that such covenants
are expressly being included for the benefit of such series) as the Board of
Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debt
Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a
default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a
default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the
several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided,
however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or
condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of
grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in
the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon
such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such
default;
(c)to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any
supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters
or questions arising under this Indenture, including the qualification or
maintenance of the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of
the holders of the Debt Securities of any series;
(d)to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debt
Securities of any series, including, without limitation, any terms relating to
the issuance, exchange, registration or transfer of Debt Securities, including
to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to
those applicable to the Capital Securities relating to such series as required
by Section 2.07 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debt
Securities of a series subject to transfer restrictions is required under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended); provided that any such action shall not
adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debt Securities of any
series then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso,
that transfer restrictions on Debt Securities of a series substantially similar
to those
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that were applicable to Capital Securities of the related series shall not be
deemed to adversely affect the holders of the Debt Securities);
(e)to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or
more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as
shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the
trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of
Section 6.11;
(f)to make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in
this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder
in any material respect; or
(g)to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and
terms and conditions of the Debt Securities of any series, to establish the
form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of
this Indenture or any series of Debt Securities, or to add to the rights of the
holders of any series of Debt Securities.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in
the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further
appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to
accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but
the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into
any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties
or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of
this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the
consent of the holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding,
notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
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SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of
Securityholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of
the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities at the time outstanding of all series affected by such
supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a
Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter
into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, then in effect, applicable to indentures
qualified thereunder) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing
in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders
of the Debt Securities of each series so affected; provided, however, that no
such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each
Debt Security then outstanding and affected thereby (i) extend the fixed
maturity of any Debt Security of any series, or reduce the principal amount
thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof
or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any
coin or currency other than that provided in the Debt Securities, or reduce the
amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be
due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to
Section 5.01 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section
5.02, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for
payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the
holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities the holders
of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided,
further, that if the Debt Securities of such series are held by a National
Commerce Trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall
not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of
Trust Securities of the applicable Trust shall have consented to such
supplemental indenture; provided further, that if the consent of the
Securityholder of each outstanding Debt Security is required, such supplemental
indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of
the applicable National Commerce Trust shall have consented to such
supplemental indenture.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any
covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included
solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities, or
which modifies the rights of Securityholders of such series with respect to
such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture or the Securityholders of any other series.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board
Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and
upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders
as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such
supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which
case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter
into such supplemental indenture.
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Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared
by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such
supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby
as their names and addresses appear upon the Debt Security Register. Any
failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental
indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the
Securityholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any
proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent
shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of
Supplemental Indentures.
Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions
of this Article IX shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect
to the extent applicable to indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of
this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and
amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of
rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee,
the Company and the holders of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby
shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all
respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions
of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the
terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 9.04. Notation on Debt Securities.
Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered
after the execution of any supplemental indenture affecting such series
pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any
matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the
Trustee shall so determine, new Debt Securities of any series so modified as to
conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any
modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of any
series then outstanding.
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SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental
Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and
6.02, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.06, receive an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any
supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements
of this Article IX. The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as
conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this
Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this
Article IX to join in the execution thereof.
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain
Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities
of any series shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or
into any other corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the
Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its
successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale,
conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its
successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any
other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor
or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however,
that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation,
merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt Securities of all series
in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the
due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions
of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to
such series to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed
by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, as then in effect, applicable to indentures qualified
thereunder) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the
Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company
shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such
property.
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SECTION 10.02. Successor Entity to be Substituted.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity,
by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and
satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debt Securities
and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such
successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the
same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the
predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation
hereunder or upon the Debt Securities. Such successor entity thereupon may
cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of
National Commerce Bancorporation, any or all of the Debt Securities issuable
hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and
delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of
such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms,
conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities which
previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company,
to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Debt
Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and
delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the
Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and
benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter
issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such
Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and
6.02, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section
9.05, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption,
permitted or required by the terms of this Article X complies with the
provisions of this Article X.
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ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 11.01. Discharge of Indenture.
When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for
cancellation all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Debt
Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have
been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) and not theretofore
canceled, or (b) all the Debt Securities not theretofore canceled or delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by
their terms to become due and payable within 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 with the
Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable,
sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debt Securities
(other than any Debt Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) not
theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including
principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date
of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the
amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or
interest on the Debt Securities (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in
accordance with the provisions of Section 11.04, or (2) paid to any state or to
the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws,
and if in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) the Company shall also
pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then
this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of
Sections 2.05, 2.07, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02, 3.04, 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 hereof shall
survive until such Debt Securities shall mature and be paid. Thereafter,
Sections 6.10 and 11.04 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the
Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each
stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at
the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture, the Company,
however, hereby agreeing to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses
thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with
this Indenture or the Debt Securities.
SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by
Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and
applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent
(including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of
the particular Debt Securities for the payment of which such moneys have been
deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for
principal, and premium, if any, and interest.
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SECTION 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held.
Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all
moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debt Securities (other than the
Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the
Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys.
SECTION 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys.
Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying
agent for payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debt
Securities and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debt
Securities for two years after the date upon which the principal of, and
premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities, as the case may be, shall
have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or
such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debt
Securities shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such
holder may be entitled to collect and all liability of the Trustee or such
paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Debt Securities Solely Corporate
Obligations.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on any Debt Security, or for any claim based thereon or
otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation,
covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental
indenture, or in any such Debt Security, or because of the creation of any
indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator,
stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the
Company or of any successor corporation of the Company, either directly or
through the Company or any successor corporation of the Company, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of
any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all
such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and
as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the
Debt Securities.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01. Successors.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in
this Indenture contained by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns
whether so expressed or not.
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SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Entity.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture
authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or
officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and
effect by the like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any
entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
SECTION 13.03. Surrender of Company Powers.
The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of
2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may
surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so
surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted
successor.
SECTION 13.04. Addresses for Notices, etc.
Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture
is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders
of Debt Securities on the Company may be given or served in writing by being
deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office
letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the
Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, One Commerce Square, Memphis,
Tennessee 38150, Attention: Lon M. Magness. Any notice, direction, request or
demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be
deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or
made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, 101
Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate
Trust Administration.
SECTION 13.05. Governing Law.
This Indenture and each Debt Security shall be deemed to be a
contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of said State,
without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
SECTION 13.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent.
Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee
to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company
shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that in the
opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an
Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
conditions precedent have been complied with.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and
delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture
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shall include (1) a statement by the person making such certificate or opinion
that such person has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as
to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the
statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3)
a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination
or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion
as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4)
a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition
or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 13.07. Non-Business Days.
Subject to Section 2.03, in any case where the date of payment
of interest on or principal of the Debt Securities will be a Saturday, Sunday
or a day on which banking institutions in New York City (in the State of New
York) are permitted or required by any applicable law to close, the payment of
such interest on or principal of the Debt Securities need not be made on such
date but may be made on the next succeeding day not a Saturday, Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in such cities are permitted or required by any
applicable law to close, with the same force and effect as if made on the date
of payment and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such
date.
SECTION 13.08. Trust Indenture Act to Control.
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 13.09. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The table of contents and the titles and headings of the
articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 13.10. Execution in Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 13.11. Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Indenture or in the Debt Securities of any series shall for any reason be held
to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this
Indenture or of such Debt Securities, but this Indenture and such Debt
Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein or therein.
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SECTION 13.12. Assignment.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of
its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly
owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such
assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to
the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may
not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.
SECTION 13.13. Acknowledgment of Rights.
The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Debt
Securities held by any National Commerce Trust or the Institutional Trustee of
such National Commerce Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of such National
Commerce Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder
of the series of Debt Securities held as the assets of such National Commerce
Trust after the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities of such National Commerce Trust have so directed such Institutional
Trustee, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may to the fullest
extent permitted by law institute legal proceedings directly against the
Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee's rights under this Indenture
without first instituting any legal proceedings against such Institutional
Trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the
failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium, if any) or principal on the
applicable series of Debt Securities on the date such interest (or premium, if
any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the
redemption date), the Company acknowledges that a holder of record of Capital
Securities of the National Commerce Trust that purchased the applicable series
of Debt Securities may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for
enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest on the applicable series of Debt Securities having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified
in the applicable series of Debt Securities.
ARTICLE XIV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES -- MANDATORY AND
OPTIONAL SINKING FUND
SECTION 14.01. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any
sinking fund for the retirement of Debt Securities of a series except as
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such
series.
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SECTION 14.02. Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt
Securities.
In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to
redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any
series in accordance with their terms, it shall fix a date for redemption and
shall mail a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of Debt Securities of
such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as
the same appear on the Debt Security Register. Such mailing shall be by first
class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder
receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any
defect in the notice to the holder of any Debt Security of a series designated
for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.
Each such notice of redemption shall specify the CUSIP number
of the Debt Securities to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the
redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed,
the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and
surrender of such Debt Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for
redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said
date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to
accrue. If less than all the Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed
the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Debt Securities of
that series to be redeemed. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be
redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the
date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt
Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
On or prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of
redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the
Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to
redeem on the redemption date all the Debt Securities so called for redemption
at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date
fixed for redemption.
If all, or less than all, the Debt Securities of a series are
to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor
more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the redemption date as to the
aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed and
the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall
deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions
thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000, except as otherwise set forth in the
applicable form of Debt Security) to be redeemed.
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SECTION 14.03. Payment of Debt Securities Called for
Redemption.
If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section
14.02 or Section 14.04, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of
the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due
and payable on the date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the
applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed
for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in
the payment of such Debt Securities at the redemption price, together with
interest accrued to said date) interest on the Debt Securities or portions of
Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue.
On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at a place of payment
specified in said notice, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions
thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption
price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.
Upon presentation of any Debt Security of any series redeemed
in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the
Company, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of such series of authorized
denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debt
Security so presented.
SECTION 14.04. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by
the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as a
"mandatory sinking fund payment," and any payment in excess of such minimum
amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein
referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment." The last date on which any
such payment may be made is herein referred to as a "sinking fund payment
date."
In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking
fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the
Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that
series theretofore purchased by the Company and (b) may apply as a credit Debt
Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of
the Company pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the
application of optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the next succeeding
paragraph, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory
sinking fund payment, provided that such Debt Securities have not been
previously so credited. Each such Debt Security so delivered or applied as a
credit shall be credited at the sinking fund redemption price for such Debt
Securities and the amount of any mandatory sinking fund shall be reduced
accordingly. If the Company intends so to deliver or credit such Debt
Securities with respect to any mandatory sinking fund payment it shall deliver
to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the next succeeding sinking fund
payment date for such series (a) a certificate signed by the Secretary, an
Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company
specifying the portion of such sinking fund payment, if any, to be satisfied by
payment of cash and the portion of such sinking fund payment, if any, which is
to be satisfied by
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delivering and crediting such Debt Securities and the basis for such credit and
stating that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited and (b)
any Debt Securities to be so delivered. All Debt Securities so delivered to
the Trustee shall be canceled by the Trustee and no Debt Securities shall be
authenticated in lieu thereof. If the Company fails to deliver such
certificate and Debt Securities at or before the time provided above, the
Company shall not be permitted to satisfy any portion of such mandatory sinking
fund payment by delivery or credit of Debt Securities.
At its option the Company may pay into the sinking fund for
the retirement of Debt Securities of any particular series, on or before each
sinking fund payment date for such series, any additional sum in cash as
specified by the terms of such series of Debt Securities. If the Company
intends to exercise its right to make any such optional sinking fund payment,
it shall deliver to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the next succeeding
sinking fund payment date for such series a certificate signed by the
Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of
the Company stating that the Company intends to exercise such optional right
and specifying the amount which the Company intends to pay on such sinking fund
payment date. If the Company fails to deliver such certificate at or before
the time provided above, the Company shall not be permitted to make any
optional sinking fund payment with respect to such sinking fund payment date.
To the extent that such right is not exercised in any year it shall not be
cumulative or carried forward to any subsequent year.
If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or
optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund
payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company
shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series,
it shall be applied by the Trustee or one or more paying agents on the next
succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Debt Securities of
such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest
to the date fixed for redemption. The Trustee shall select, in the manner
provided in Section 14.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a
sufficient principal amount of Debt Securities of such series to absorb said
cash, as nearly as may be, and the Trustee shall, at the expense and in the
name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of redemption of Debt Securities of
such series to be given in substantially the manner and with the effect
provided in Sections 14.02 and 14.03 for the redemption of Debt Securities of
that series in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of
redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities of such series are being
redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or
allocated by the Trustee or any paying agent to the redemption of Debt
Securities of that series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment
received by the Trustee or such paying agent and, together with such payment,
shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14.04. Any
and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee or any paying agent on the
maturity date of the Debt Securities of any particular series, and not held for
the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities of such series, shall
be applied by the Trustee or such paying agent, together with other moneys, if
necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the
principal of the Debt Securities of that series at maturity.
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On or before 10:00 a.m. on each sinking fund payment date, the
Company shall pay to the Trustee or to one or more paying agents in cash a sum
equal to all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Debt
Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date
pursuant to this Section.
Neither the Trustee nor any paying agent shall redeem any Debt
Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys, and the Trustee shall not mail
any notice of redemption of Debt Securities for such series by operation of the
sinking fund, during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on
such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default
occurring as a consequence of this paragraph), except that if the notice of
redemption of any Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in
accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee or any paying agent shall
redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be
deposited with the Trustee or such paying agent for that purpose in accordance
with the terms of this Article XIV. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the
sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of
Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall,
during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be held as security
for the payment of all such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case
such Event of Default or default, shall have been cured or waived as provided
herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking
fund payment date on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 14.04.
ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debt
Securities issued hereunder and under any supplemental indenture or by any
Board Resolution ("Additional Provisions") by such Securityholder's acceptance
thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debt Securities shall be issued
subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Debt
Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof,
accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium,
if any, and interest on all Debt Securities issued hereunder and under any
Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set
forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in
full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date
of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence
of any default or Event of Default hereunder.
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SECTION 15.02. Default on Senior Indebtedness.
In the event and during the continuation of any default by the
Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due
on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the
event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been
accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be
made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and
sinking fund payments) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt
Securities.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment
shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the
preceding paragraph of this Section 15.02, such payment shall, subject to
Section 15.06, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or
delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify
the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due
and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such
notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 15.03. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.
Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of
the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities,
to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or
reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon
all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment
thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment
is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or
interest on the Debt Securities; 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 Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to
receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall
be paid by the Company, or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating
trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the
Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or
it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness 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 Securityholders
or to the Trustee.
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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, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated
by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior
Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect
to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness.
For purposes of this Article XV, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other
corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the
payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this
Article XV with respect to the Debt Securities to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, 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 X of this
Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.03 if such other corporation
shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply
with the conditions stated in Article X of this Indenture. Nothing in Section
15.02 or in this Section 15.03 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06 of this Indenture.
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SECTION 15.04. Subrogation.
Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of
cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to such Senior
Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Debt Securities 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 Securityholders
or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV,
and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the
benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the
Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debt Securities be
deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such
Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV
are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of
the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this
Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Debt Securities 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 Debt Securities,
the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to
the holders of the Debt Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Debt Securities 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 Debt Securities and creditors of the
Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, nor
shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debt
Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law
upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this
Article XV of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash,
property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such
remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company
referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to
conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver,
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such
payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders,
for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the
Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or
distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
XV.
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SECTION 15.05. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each Securityholder by such Securityholder's acceptance
thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder's behalf to
take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such
Securityholder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 15.06. Notice by the Company.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known
to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by
the Trustee in respect of the Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of
this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any
other provision of this Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee
shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would
prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of
the Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and
until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the
Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder
or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the
receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that
no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have
received the notice provided for in this Section 15.06 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 premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security), then,
anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to
the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any
notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days
prior to such date.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this
Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a
written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such
holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such
Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder
or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that
further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a
holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person
to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the
amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which
such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any
other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, and,
if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such
Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive
such payment.
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SECTION 15.07. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of
Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company
referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to rely
upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in
which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization,
dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a
certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian,
receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making
such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the
Securityholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
and other indebtednesss of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon,
the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent
thereto or to this Article XV.
SECTION 15.08. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior
Indebtedness.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to
all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior
Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of
Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions
shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
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 XV, and
no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions
against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty
to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of
Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of
such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders,
the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such
Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or
otherwise.
Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or
payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06.
SECTION 15.09. Subordination May Not Be Impaired.
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.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing
paragraph, the
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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 Securityholders,
without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing
or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations
hereunder of the holders of the Debt Securities 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.
The Bank of New York hereby accepts the trusts in this
Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set
forth.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
By
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
75563
73
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
between
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION, as Issuer,
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
Dated as of March 27, 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS2
ARTICLE II
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBENTURES4
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF THE DEBENTURES9
ARTICLE IV
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD10
ARTICLE V
EXPENSES AND GUARANTEE11
ARTICLE VI
FORM OF DEBENTURE12
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS21
i
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FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of March 27, 1997 (the
"First Supplemental Indenture"), between National Commerce Bancorporation, a
Tennessee corporation (the "Company") and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the
"Trustee"), under the Indenture dated as of March 27, 1997 between the Company
and the Trustee (the "Indenture").
WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Indenture to
the Trustee to provide for the issuance of the Company's unsecured junior
subordinated debt securities to be issued from time to time in one or more
series as might be determined by the Company under the Indenture, in an
unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered
as provided in the Indenture;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company
desires to provide for the establishment of a series of its Debt Securities to
be known as Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
due 2027 (the "Initial Debentures"), and to provide for, if and when issued in
exchange for the Initial Debentures pursuant to the Indenture and the
Registration Agreement, a series of its Debt Securities to be known as Floating
Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 (the "Exchange
Debentures" and together with the Initial Debentures, the "Debentures"), the
form and substance of each such series of Debentures and the terms, provisions
and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Indenture and this
First Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, National Commerce Capital Trust I, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Trust"), has offered for sale pursuant to an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
$50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of Floating Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities (the "Initial Capital Securities"), representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust 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 its common securities, in
$51,547,000 aggregate principal amount of the Debentures;
WHEREAS, the Trust may offer and issue Floating Rate Capital
Trust Pass-through Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities") in exchange
for the Initial Capital Securities; and
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute
and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture; all requirements necessary to
make this First Supplemental 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 First
Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase and acceptance
of the Initial Debentures by the holders thereof, and for the purpose of
setting forth, as provided in the Indenture, the form and substance of each
series of Debentures and the terms, provisions
<PAGE> 4
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and conditions thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning
when used in this First Supplemental Indenture;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this First Supplemental
Indenture has the same meaning throughout;
(c) the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
(d) a reference to a Section or Article is to a Section
or Article of this First Supplemental Indenture;
(e) headings are for convenience of reference only and do
not affect interpretation;
(f) the following terms have the meanings given to them
in the Declaration: (i) Administrators; (ii) Business Day; (iii) Capital
Security Certificate; (iv) Capital Treatment Event; (v) Clearing Agency; (vi)
Delaware Trustee; (vii) Depositary; (viii) Distribution; (ix) Institutional
Trustee; (x) Investment Company Event; (xi) Purchase Agreement; and (xii) Tax
Event;
(g) the following terms have the meanings given to them
in this Section 1.1(g):
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.5(d).
"Calculation Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company
to determine the interest rate of the Debentures, which shall be The Bank of
New York, until a successor is appointed.
"Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1.
"Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust of the Trust, dated as of March 27, 1997, as amended or supplemented from
time to time.
"Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1.
"Determination Date" means, with respect to any interest
period, the date that is
2
<PAGE> 5
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two London Business Days prior to the first day of such interest period;
provided, that the Determination Date for the initial interest period is the
date that is one London Business Day prior to the first day of such initial
interest period.
"Dissolution Event" means that, subject to the receipt by the
Company of prior approval from the Federal Reserve if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, the Trust is
to be dissolved in accordance with the Declaration, and the Debentures held by
the Institutional Trustee are to be distributed to the holders of the Trust
Securities issued by the Trust pro rata in accordance with the Declaration.
"Extension Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.1.
"Federal Reserve" means the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
"Global Debenture" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(a)(i).
"interest" shall include all interest payable on a series of
Debentures including any Additional Interest, Compounded Interest and Special
Interest, if applicable.
"LIBOR" means, with respect to a quarterly interest period
relating to an Interest Payment Date (in the following order of priority):
(i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for
Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity
that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on the related Determination Date;
(ii) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 as
of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related
Determination Date, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean
(if necessary rounded upwards to the nearest whole
multiple of .00001%) of the rates (expressed as
percentages per annum) for Eurodollar deposits having
a three-month maturity that appear on Reuters Monitor
Money Rates Page LIBO ("Reuters Page LIBO") as of
11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date;
(iii) if such rate does not appear on Reuters Page LIBO as
of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related
Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will
request the principal London offices of four leading
banks in the London interbank market to provide such
banks' offered quotations (expressed as percentages
per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank
market for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month
maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
Determination Date. If at least two quotations are
provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean (if
necessary rounded upwards to the nearest whole
multiple of .00001%) of such quotations;
3
<PAGE> 6
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(iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as
requested in clause (iii) above, the Calculation
Agent will request four major New York City banks to
provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to leading European banks for
loans in Eurodollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such Determination Date. If at least two such
quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic
mean (if necessary rounded upwards to the nearest
whole multiple of .00001%) of such quotations; and
(v) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as
requested in clause (iv) above, LIBOR will be LIBOR
determined with respect to the interest period
immediately preceding such current interest period.
If the rate for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month
maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as
the case may be, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination
Date is superseded on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may
be, by a corrected rate before 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination
Date, the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the
applicable LIBOR for such Determination Date.
"London Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, on which banks are open for business in London.
"Maturity Date" means April 1, 2027.
"Non-Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.4(a)(ii).
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Debentures.
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1.
"Registration Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated April 1, 1997, relating to the Debentures and the other
securities described therein among the Company, the Trust and the initial
purchasers named therein.
"Registered Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Agreement.
"Special Interest" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.5(f)(iii).
4
<PAGE> 7
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ARTICLE II
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBENTURES
SECTION 2.1
The Initial Debentures and the Exchange Debentures are hereby
authorized as two series of Debt Securities. The aggregate principal amount of
Debentures outstanding at any time shall not exceed $51,547,000 (except as set
forth in Section 2.03(2) of the Indenture). Upon receipt of a written order of
the Company for the authentication and delivery of a series of Debentures and
satisfaction of the requirements of Section 2.04 of the Indenture, the Trustee
shall authenticate (a) Initial Debentures for original issuance in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $51,547,000 (except as set forth in Section
2.03(2) of the Indenture) or (b) Exchange Debentures for issuance pursuant to a
Registered Exchange Offer for Initial Debentures in a principal amount equal to
the principal amount of Initial Debentures exchanged in such Registered
Exchange Offer.
The Initial Debentures shall be issued pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act and the Restricted
Securities Legend shall appear thereon, unless otherwise determined by the
Company in accordance with applicable law. The Initial Debentures may not be
transferred except in compliance with the Restricted Securities Legend set
forth in Section 2.07 of the Indenture, unless otherwise determined by the
Company in accordance with applicable law. The Debentures shall be issued in
minimum denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof.
SECTION 2.2
At the Maturity Date, the Debentures shall mature and the
principal thereof shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon including Compounded Interest, Additional Interest and Special
Interest thereon, if any.
5
<PAGE> 8
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SECTION 2.3
Except as provided in Section 2.4, Debentures of a series
shall be issued in fully registered certificated form without interest coupons.
Principal and interest on Debentures of a series issued in certificated form
will be payable, the transfer of such Debentures will be registrable and such
Debentures will be exchangeable for Debentures of such series bearing identical
terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, which office or agency shall initially be the
corporate trust office of the Trustee; provided, however, that payment of
interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the holder
of any Debenture at such address as shall appear in the Debt Security Register
for such series of Debentures or by wire transfer to an account appropriately
designated by such holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the
holder of any Debentures of a series is the Institutional Trustee, the payment
of the principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest, Additional
Interest and Special Interest, if any) on the Debentures held by the
Institutional Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Institutional Trustee.
SECTION 2.4
(a) In connection with a Dissolution Event,
(i) except as provided in clause (ii) of this
sentence, Debentures of a series in certificated form may be presented
to the Trustee by the Institutional Trustee in exchange for a Global
Security for such series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debentures of such
series (a "Global Debenture"), to be registered in the name of The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or its nominee (hereby
designated to be the Depositary for Debentures of such series), and
delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or its custodian for
crediting to the accounts of the Depositary's participants pursuant to
the instructions of the Administrators of the Trust, which
instructions shall be provided in accordance with the terms of the
Declaration; the Company upon any such presentation shall execute a
Global Debenture for such series in such aggregate principal amount
and deliver the same to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in
accordance with the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture;
payments on the Debentures of a series issued as a Global Debenture
will be made to the Depositary;
(ii) if any Capital Securities of a series are not
held by the Clearing Agency or its nominee ("Non-Book-Entry Capital
Securities"), the Debentures in certificated form of the series held
by the Trust corresponding to such Capital Securities of such series
may be presented to the Trustee by the Institutional Trustee and any
Capital Security Certificate which represents such Non-Book-Entry
Capital Securities will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in
Debentures so presented to the Trustee by the Institutional Trustee
having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of such Non-Book-Entry Capital Securities until
such Capital Security Certificates are presented to the Debt Security
registrar for
6
<PAGE> 9
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registration of transfer or reissuance at which time such Capital
Security Certificates will be canceled and a Debenture of the series
previously held by the Trust registered in the name of the holder of
the Capital Security Certificate or the transferee of the holder of
such Capital Security Certificate, as the case may be, with an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of the Capital Security Certificate canceled, will be executed by the
Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication and delivery
in accordance with the Indenture and this First Supplemental
Indenture; upon issue of such Debentures of such series, Debentures of
such series with an equivalent aggregate principal amount that were
presented by the Institutional Trustee to the Trustee will be deemed
to have been canceled; and
(iii) prior to the distribution of Debentures of a
series held by the Institutional Trustee to the holders of Trust
Securities, the Company and the Trustee shall enter into a
supplemental indenture pursuant to Article IX of the Indenture to
provide for transfer procedures and restrictions with respect to such
Debentures of such series substantially similar to those contained in
the Declaration with respect to Capital Securities of the
corresponding series to the extent applicable in the circumstances
existing at the time of distribution of Debentures of such series in
connection with a Dissolution Event for purposes of assuring that no
registration of Debentures of such series is required under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) A Global Debenture may be transferred, in whole but
not in part, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a
nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the
Depositary, or to a successor Depositary selected or approved by the Company or
to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(c) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the
Depositary shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or
regulation, and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within
90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such
condition, as the case may be, the Company will execute, and, subject to
Article II of the Indenture, the Trustee, upon written request of the Company,
will authenticate and make available for delivery, Debentures of each series in
definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in
an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global
Debenture of such series in exchange for such Global Debenture. In addition,
the Company may at any time determine that the Debentures of a series shall no
longer be represented by a Global Debenture. In such event the Company will
execute, and subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture, the Trustee, upon
receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the
Company, will authenticate and deliver Debentures of such series in definitive
registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global
Debenture of such series in exchange for such Global Debenture. A Global
Debenture shall also be exchangeable for Debentures in definitive form upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default. Upon the exchange of a Global Debenture for
Debentures in definitive registered form
7
<PAGE> 10
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without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Global Debenture shall be
canceled by the Trustee. Such Debentures in definitive registered form issued
in exchange for such Global Debenture shall be registered in such names and in
such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from
its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.
The Trustee shall deliver such Debentures to the Depositary for delivery to the
Persons in whose names such Debentures are so registered.
SECTION 2.5
(a) The Company shall appoint a Calculation Agent, which
may be the Trustee, to determine LIBOR as of the Determination Date for each
quarterly interest period and to calculate the interest rate and the amount of
interest due for each such interest period. Absent manifest error, the
Calculation Agent's determination of LIBOR and its calculation of the interest
rate for each interest period shall be final and binding on the holders of the
Debentures.
(b) The amount of interest payable for any period will be
computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of twelve
30-day months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on the
Debentures of a series is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable
on such date will 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, in each case
with the same force and effect as if made on such date.
(c) The indebtedness evidenced by all Debentures of a
series is subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in
full of all present and future Senior Indebtedness and pari passu in right of
payment with all Debentures of each other series.
(d) If, at any time while the holder of any Debentures of
a series is the Institutional Trustee, the Trust 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 such case, the Company shall pay as additional interest
("Additional Interest") on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee,
such additional amounts as shall be required so that the net amounts received
and retained by the Trust after paying any such taxes, duties, assessments or
other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts the Trust and the
Institutional Trustee would have received had no such taxes, duties,
assessments or other governmental charges been imposed.
(e) If an Initial Debenture is exchanged in a Registered
Exchange Offer prior to the Record Date for the first Interest Payment Date
following such exchange, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Initial
Debenture, up to but not including the date of issuance of the Exchange
Debenture or Exchange Debentures issued in exchange for such Initial Debenture,
shall be paid on the first Interest Payment Date for such Exchange Debenture or
Exchange Debentures to the Securityholder or Securityholders of such Exchange
8
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Debenture or Exchange Debentures on the first Record Date with respect to such
Exchange Debenture or Exchange Debentures. If an Initial Debenture is
exchanged in a Registered Exchange Offer subsequent to the Record Date for the
first Interest Payment Date following such exchange but on or prior to such
Interest Payment Date, then any such accrued and unpaid interest with respect
to such Initial Debenture and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Exchange
Debenture or Exchange Debentures issued in exchange for such Initial Debenture,
through the day before such Interest Payment Date, shall be paid on such
Interest Payment Date to the Securityholder of such Initial Debenture on such
Record Date.
(f) The following terms relate to Special Interest:
(i) In the event that either (A) the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement (as such term is defined in the
Registration Agreement) is not filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on or prior to the 150th day following
the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Registration
Agreement), (B) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 180th day
following the Closing Date or (C) the Registered Exchange Offer (as
such term is defined in the Registration Agreement) is not consummated
or a Shelf Registration Statement (as such term is defined in the
Registration Agreement) with respect to the Initial Debentures is not
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 210th day
following the Closing Date, interest shall accrue (in addition to the
stated interest on Initial Debentures) from and including the next day
following each of (1) such 150-day period in the case of clause (A)
above, (2) such 180-day period in the case of clause (B) above and (3)
such 210-day period in the case of clause (C) above. In each case,
such additional interest shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to
0.25% of the principal amount of the Initial Debentures (determined
daily). The aggregate amount of additional interest payable pursuant
to the above provisions will in no event exceed 0.25% per annum of the
principal amount of the Initial Debentures (determined daily). Upon
(X) the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement after the
150-day period described in clause (A) above, (Y) the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement after the 180-day period
described in clause (B) above or (Z) the consummation of the
Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be, after the 210-day period described in
clause (C) above, the additional interest payable on the Initial
Debentures, with respect to such clause (A), (B) or (C), as the case
may be, from the date of such filing, effectiveness or consummation,
as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(ii) In the event that a Shelf Registration
Statement filed with respect to the Initial Debentures is declared
effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Agreement, if the
Company or the Trust fails to keep such Shelf Registration Statement
continuously effective for the period required by the Registration
Agreement, then from the next day following such time as the Shelf
Registration Statement is no longer effective until the earlier of (A)
the date that the Shelf Registration Statement is again deemed
effective, (B) the date that is the third
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anniversary of the effective date or (C) the date as of which all of
the Initial Debentures are sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement or may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, interest shall accrue on
the Initial Debentures (in addition to the stated interest on the
Initial Debentures) at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the
principal amount of the Initial Debentures (determined daily).
(iii) Any additional interest that accrues with
respect to the Initial Debentures as provided in this paragraph is
referred to as "Special Interest." For all purposes of the Indenture,
this Supplemental Indenture and the Initial Debentures, Special
Interest shall be treated as interest and shall be payable on the same
Interest Payment Dates and to the Securityholders of record on the
same record dates as would be the case for stated interest.
SECTION 2.6
If at any time the holder of all Debentures of a series ceases
to be the Institutional Trustee and, at such time, the Capital Securities
issued by the Trust are rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical
rating agency, then the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain from at
least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency a rating for the
Debentures of such series.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF THE DEBENTURES
SECTION 3.1
If a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment
Company Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right,
subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal
Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the
Federal Reserve, to redeem, upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days'
notice, the Debentures in whole or in part, at any time, within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Capital Treatment Event or
Investment Company Event, as the case may be, at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest to
the date of such redemption (the "Redemption Price"). If Debentures are only
partially redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.1, Debentures shall be redeemed
pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee. The
Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City 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 City time, on the date the
Redemption Price is to be paid.
10
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SECTION 3.2
At any time on or after April 1, 2007, the Company shall have
the right, subject to the provisions of Article XIV of the Indenture and to the
receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal Reserve if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve, to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, from time to time, at
the Redemption Price. Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.2 will be made
upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' notice to the holders of the
relevant Debentures. If Debentures are only partially redeemed pursuant to
this Section 3.2, Debentures shall be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any
other method utilized by the Trustee. The Redemption Price shall be paid prior
to 11:00 a.m., New York City 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 City time, on the date the Redemption Price is to be paid.
The Debentures are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking
fund.
11
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ARTICLE IV
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
SECTION 4.1
The Company shall have the right, subject to the conditions
set forth herein, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures of a series
by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures of a series at any
time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20
consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an
"Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and
payable; provided that (i) no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity
Date and (ii) no Extension Period may commence or be extended so long as the
Company is in default in the payment of any interest upon any Debentures of
such series or has not paid all Deferred Interest from a prior completed
Extension Period. At the termination of an Extension Period for the Debentures
of a series or, if not an Interest Payment Date, on the Interest Payment Date
immediately following termination of such Extension Period for the Debentures
of such series, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on
the Debentures, together with interest thereon at a variable annual rate equal
to LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by
applicable law) ("Compounded Interest") and any Additional Interest (together
with Compounded Interest, "Deferred Interest"), which Deferred Interest shall
be payable to the holders of the Debentures of such series in whose names the
Debentures are registered in the Debt Security Register on the record date for
the payment of interest on such Interest Payment Date. Before the termination
of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided
that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive
extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend
beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and
upon the payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the Company may commence a
new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.
SECTION 4.2
(a) If the Institutional Trustee is the only registered
holder of the Debentures of a series at the time the Company initiates an
Extension Period, the Company shall give written notice to the Administrators,
the Institutional Trustee and the Trustee of its initiation of such Extension
Period one Business Day before the earlier of (i) the date on which
distributions on the Capital Securities of the corresponding series are
payable, or (ii) the date the Administrators are required to give notice to
holders of the Capital Securities of the corresponding series (or any national
securities exchange or other organization on which such Capital Securities are
listed, if any) of the record date or the distribution payment date, in each
case with respect to distributions on the Trust Securities the payment of which
is being deferred.
(b) If the Institutional Trustee is not the only
registered holder of the Debentures of a series at the time the Company
initiates an Extension Period, the Company
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shall give the holders of the Debentures of such series and the Trustee
written notice of its initiation of such Extension Period at least ten Business
Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or
(ii) the date the Company is required to give notice to holders of the
Debentures of such series (or any national securities exchange or other
organization on which the Capital Securities of the corresponding series are
listed, if any) of the record or payment date of such interest, in each case
with respect to interest payments the payment of which is being deferred.
ARTICLE V
EXPENSES AND GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1
In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the
Debentures of a series and in connection with the sale of any Trust Securities
by the Trust, the Company, in its capacity as borrower with respect to the
Debentures of such series, shall:
(a) pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering,
sale and issuance of Debentures of such series, including commissions to the
underwriters payable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and compensation of the
Trustee under the Indenture in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.06
of the Indenture;
(b) pay all debts and other obligations (other than with
respect to the Trust Securities) and costs and expenses of the Trust
(including, but not limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization
of the Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities
(including commissions to the underwriters in connection therewith), the fees
and expenses, if any, of the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and
each Administrator, the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the
Trust, including, without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants,
attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and
engraving and computing or accounting equipment, paying agent(s), registrar(s),
transfer agent(s), duplicating, travel and telephone and other
telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the acquisition, financing, and disposition of Trust assets of the Trust);
(c) be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification
obligations arising with respect to the Declaration or the Purchase Agreement
or the Registration Agreement; and
(d) pay any and all taxes, duties, assessments or
governmental charges of whatever nature and all liabilities, costs and expenses
with respect thereto (other than United States withholding taxes attributable
to the Trust or assets of the Trust) to which the Trust may become subject.
13
<PAGE> 16
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SECTION 5.2
Upon termination of the Declaration or the removal or
resignation of the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, as the case
may be, pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Declaration, the Company shall pay to
the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, as the case may be, all
amounts owing to the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee, as the case
may be, under Sections 10.4 and 10.6 of the Declaration accrued to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.
ARTICLE VI
FORM OF DEBENTURE
The Debentures and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the following forms and are
expressly made a part of this First Supplemental Indenture:
(FACE OF DEBENTURE)
[IF THE DEBENTURE IS TO BE A GLOBAL DEBENTURE, INSERT: This
Debenture is a Global Debenture within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter
referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a
Depositary. This Debenture is exchangeable for Debentures of this series
registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee
only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer
of this Debenture may be registered except in limited circumstances. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture, this Debenture may be
transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the
Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor
Depositary.
Unless this Debenture is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New
York) to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment, and any Debenture of this series issued is registered in the name of
Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest
herein.]
[IF THIS DEBENTURE IS ONE OF A SERIES ORIGINALLY ISSUED
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AS
SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.03 OF THE INDENTURE, INSERT THE FOLLOWING
UNLESS OTHERWISE DETERMINED BY THE COMPANY -- THIS DEBENTURE HAS NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES
ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS DEBENTURE NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
14
<PAGE> 17
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ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION UNLESS
SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS DEBENTURE BY ITS
ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH DEBENTURE
PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE
DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION INC.
(THE "COMPANY") OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS DEBENTURE
OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS DEBENTURE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION
DATE") ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE DEBENTURES ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE
501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE DEBENTURE FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR," FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO
ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE
COMPANY. THE HOLDER OF THIS DEBENTURE AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE
FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. DEBENTURES OWNED BY A PURCHASER THAT IS NOT A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER MAY NOT BE HELD IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM. THIS LEGEND
WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS
TERMINATION DATE.]
No.
-----------------
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURE DUE 2027
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION, a Tennessee corporation (the
"Company," which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
____________ or
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<PAGE> 18
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registered assigns, the principal sum of ________________ Dollars ($_________ )
on April 1, 2027, and to pay interest on said principal sum from March 27,
1997, 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 first day
of January, April, July and October of each year commencing July 1, 1997, at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98% 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 a variable
annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98% compounded quarterly. The amount of
interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of
the actual number of days elapsed in a 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 will 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, 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 will, as provided in
the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or
more Predecessor Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the
close of business on the Record Date for such interest installment, [which
shall be the close of business on the Business Day next preceding such Interest
Payment Date]. [IF PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE THE DEBENTURES
OF THIS SERIES ARE NO LONGER REPRESENTED SOLELY BY A GLOBAL DEBENTURE,
SUBSTITUTE THE FOLLOWING FOR THE FOREGOING BRACKETED TEXT -- which shall be the
close of business on the 15th day of the month next preceding the month
containing such Interest Payment Date.] Any such interest installment not
punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the
registered holders on such Record Date and may be paid to the Person in whose
name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at
the close of business on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for
the payment of such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the
registered holders of this series of Debentures not less than 10 days prior to
such special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner
not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Debentures of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. In the
event the Debentures of this series are issued in non-book entry form, the
principal of and interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or
agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company)
maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of
America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the
option of the Company by check mailed to the registered holder at such address
as shall appear in the Debt Security Register or by wire transfer to an account
appropriately designated by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the
payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in
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immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Institutional Trustee.
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.
If this Debenture is exchanged in a Registered Exchange Offer
prior to the Record Date for the first Interest Payment Date following such
exchange, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on this Debenture, up to but not
including the date of issuance of the Exchange Debenture or Exchange Debentures
issued in exchange for this Debenture, shall be paid on the first Interest
Payment Date for such Exchange Debenture or Exchange Debentures to the
Securityholder or Securityholders of such Exchange Debenture or Exchange
Debentures on the first Record Date with respect to such Exchange Debenture or
Exchange Debentures. If this Debenture is exchanged in a Registered Exchange
Offer subsequent to the Record Date for the first Interest Payment Date
following such exchange but on or prior to such Interest Payment Date, then any
such accrued and unpaid interest with respect to this Debenture and any accrued
and unpaid interest on the Exchange Debenture or Exchange Debentures issued in
exchange for this Debenture, through the day before such Interest Payment Date,
shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the Securityholder of this
Debenture on such Record Date.
If any time the Trust shall be 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 such case, the Company shall pay as additional interest on the
Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee such additional amounts as shall
be required so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after
paying any such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will
equal the amounts the Trust and the Institutional Trustee would have received
had no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges been
imposed. [IF THIS DEBENTURE IS AN INITIAL DEBENTURE INSERT -- In addition, the
interest rate payable on the Debentures of this series is subject to increase
as provided in the Indenture if, pursuant to the Registration Agreement either
(A) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (as such term is defined in the
Registration Agreement) is not filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on or prior to the 150th day following the
Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Registration Agreement), (B) the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the 180th day following the Closing Date or (C) the
Registered Exchange Offer (as such term is defined in the Registration
Agreement)
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<PAGE> 20
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is not consummated or a Shelf Registration Statement (as such term is defined
in the Registration Agreement) with respect to the Initial Debentures is not
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 210th day following the
Closing Date.
The interest rate payable on the Debentures of this series is
also subject to adjustment in certain circumstances if a Shelf Registration
Statement filed pursuant to the Registration Agreement is not kept continuously
effective for a specified period, as provided in the Indenture.]
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.
18
<PAGE> 21
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to
be executed.
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
[Seal]
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
- ----------------------------------------------Title:
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
-----------------------------
This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated
therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
---------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By
------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
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<PAGE> 22
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(REVERSE OF DEBENTURE)
This Debenture is one of a duly authorized series of Debt
Securities of the Company, all issued or to be issued in one or more series
under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March 27, 1997, duly executed
and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the
"Trustee"), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
March 27, 1997, between the Company and the Trustee (the Indenture as so
supplemented, the "Indenture"), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental thereto 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 series of Debt Securities (referred
to herein as the "Debentures") of which this Debenture is a part. The summary
of the terms of this Debenture contained herein does not purport to be complete
and is qualified by reference to the Indenture. By the terms of the Indenture,
the Debt Securities are issuable in series that may vary as to amount, date of
maturity, rate of interest and in other respects as provided in the Indenture.
This series of Debentures is limited in aggregate principal amount as specified
in said First Supplemental Indenture.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, a Capital
Treatment or an Investment Company Event, this Debenture may become due and
payable, in whole or in part, at any time, within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Tax Event, Capital Treatment Event or Investment Company
Event as the case may be, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount being redeemed together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
The Company shall also have the right to redeem this Debenture at the option of
the Company, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time on or after
April 1, 2007, at par plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
Any redemption pursuant to the preceding paragraph will be
made, subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve") if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve, upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' notice. If the
Debentures are only partially redeemed by the Company, the Debentures will be
redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee;
provided that if, at the time of redemption, the Debentures are registered as a
Global Debenture, the Depositary shall determine the principal amount of such
Debentures held by each of its direct participants to be redeemed pro rata in
accordance with its procedures.
In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a
new Debenture or Debentures of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof
will 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 due and payable, and upon such declaration of acceleration
shall become due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the
conditions provided in the Indenture.
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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 Debt Securities of any series at the time
outstanding affected thereby, as specified 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 Debt Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture
shall, among other things, without the consent of the holders of each Debt
Security then outstanding and affected thereby (i) extend the fixed maturity of
any Debt Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof or
any redemption premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon, or make the principal of, or interest or premium
on, the Debt Securities payable in any coin or currency other than that
provided in the Debt Securities, or impair or affect the right of any holder of
Debt Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities, the holders of which are required to
consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Debt Securities of a series at the time outstanding affected thereby as
provided in the Indenture, on behalf of all of the holders of the Debt
Securities of such series, to waive any past default in the performance of any
of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture with respect to such series, and its consequences, except a default
in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of
the Debt Securities of such series. 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 of and
premium, if any, and interest on this Debenture at the time and place and at
the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
The Company shall have the right at any time during the term
of the Debentures and from time to time, subject to certain conditions, to
defer payment of interest on the Debentures of a series by extending the
interest payment period for Extension Periods, each not exceeding 20
consecutive quarterly periods as provided in the Indenture. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no Extension Period may extend beyond the maturity date of the
Debentures. In the event that the Company exercises its right to extend an
interest payment period, then during any Extension Period (a) the Company shall
not declare or pay any dividends on, make any distribution with respect to, or
redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any
of its capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock (other than (i)
purchases or acquisitions of shares of any such capital stock or rights to
acquire such capital stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company
of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a
reclassification of the
21
<PAGE> 24
- ----------
Company's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or the exchange
or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock or rights
to acquire such capital stock for another class or series of the Company's
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock, (iii) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being
converted or exchanged, (iv) dividends and distributions made on the Company's
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock with the Company's
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock, or (v) any declaration
of a 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), or make
guarantee payments (other than payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee
or the Common Securities Guarantee for the Trust) with respect to the foregoing
and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued
by the Company that rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures. Prior to
the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period; provided,
however, that each such Extension Period, including all such previous and
further extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or
extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Upon the termination of any
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may
commence a new Extension Period, subject to the terms set forth in the
Indenture. No interest during an Extension Period, except on the date on which
such Extension Period terminates (or if such date is not an Interest Payment
Date, on the immediately following Interest Payment Date), shall be due and
payable.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations herein and therein set forth, this Debenture is transferable by the
registered holder hereof on the Debt Security Register of the Company, upon
surrender of this Debenture for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Trustee in the City and State of New York 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 and
series will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service
charge will be made for any such registration of 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 Authenticating Agent, any paying
agent, any transfer agent and the Debt Security registrar may deem and treat
the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this
Debenture shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or
writing hereon) 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 Authenticating Agent nor any paying
agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debt Security registrar shall be affected
by any notice to the contrary.
22
<PAGE> 25
- ----------
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 of this series are issuable only in registered
form without coupons. A Global Debenture is exchangeable for Debentures in
definitive form only under certain limited circumstances set forth in the
Indenture. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
herein and therein set forth, Debentures of this series are exchangeable for a
like aggregate principal amount of Debentures of this series of a different
authorized denomination, as requested by the holder surrendering the same.
The Debentures of this series are issuable only in minimum
denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof. The Debentures of this series may be transferred only in blocks
having an aggregate principal amount of not less than $100,000. Any transfer
of Debentures of this series in a block having an aggregate principal amount of
less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal effect
whatsoever. Any transferee of Debentures of this series having an aggregate
principal amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed not to be the holder of
such Debentures for any purpose, including, but not limited to, the receipt of
payments on such Debentures, and such transferee shall be deemed to have no
interest whatsoever in such Debentures.
All terms used in this Debenture that are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE
INDENTURE AND THE DEBENTURES, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES
THEREOF.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1
The Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental
Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this First
Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and
to the extent herein and therein provided.
23
<PAGE> 26
- ----------
SECTION 7.2
The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and not
by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness
thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency
of this First Supplemental Indenture.
SECTION 7.3
This First Supplemental Indenture and each Debenture shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York,
and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said
State without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
SECTION 7.4
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this
First Supplemental Indenture or in a series of 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 First Supplemental Indenture or of such series of the
Debentures, but this First Supplemental Indenture and such series of the
Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein or therein.
This First Supplemental 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.
24
<PAGE> 27
- ----------
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above
written.
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
75607
25
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.3
===========================================
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
Dated as of March 27, 1997
===========================================
<PAGE> 2
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*(1)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Section of Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended
Section of Declaration
310(a)5.3(a) 310(c)
Inapplicable 311(c) Inapplicable 312(a)2.2(a)
312(b) 2.2(b) 3132.3 314(a) 2.4
314(b) Inapplicable 314(c) 2.5
314(d) Inapplicable 314(f)
Inapplicable 315(a) 3.9(b) 315(c)3.9(a) 315(d)
3.9(a) 316(a) Annex I 316(b)Annex I
316(c) 3.6(d)
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------------
(1) * This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the
Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
- i -
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
-----------
Administrative Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- ---------------------
Administrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- --------------
Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- ---------
Authorized Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- ------------------
Bankruptcy Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- ----------------
Book Entry Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- -------------------
Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ------------
Business Trust Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ------------------
Capital Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ----------------------------
Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ------------------
Capital Security Beneficial Owner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ---------------------------------
Capital Security Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ----------------------------
Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- -----------
Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
- ---------------
Clearing Agency Participant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ---------------------------
Closing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ------------
Closing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ------------
Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ----
</TABLE>
- ii -
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ----------
Common Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- -----------------
Common Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ---------------------------
Common Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ---------------
Common Security Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ---------------------------
Company Indemnified Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- --------------------------
Corporate Trust Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ----------------------
Debenture Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ----------------
Debenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- -----------------
Debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- ----------
Definitive Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- -----------------------------
Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ----------------
Depositary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ----------
Direct Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- -------------
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ------------
Distribution Payment Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- -------------------------
DTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ---
Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ----------------
Exchange Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ------------
Exchange Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ---------------------------
Exchange Capital Security Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- -------------------------------------
Exchange Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- --------------------
</TABLE>
- iii -
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exchange Debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- -------------------
Exchange Definitive Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- --------------------------------------
Exchange Global Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ----------------------------------
Extension Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ----------------
Federal Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
- ---------------
Fiduciary Indemnified Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ----------------------------
Global Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- -------------------------
Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ------
IAI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ---
Indemnified Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ------------------
Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ---------
Indenture Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- --------------------------
Initial Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- --------------------------
Initial Capital Security Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ------------------------------------
Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- -----------
Initial Debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ------------------
Initial Definitive Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- -------------------------------------
Initial Global Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ---------------------------------
Initial Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ------------------
Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- ---------------------
interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- --------
Investment Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ------------------
</TABLE>
- iv -
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Investment Company Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ----------------------
Legal Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ------------
Liquidation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- -----------
Liquidation Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ------------------------
Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ------------------------------------------------
Offering Memorandum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- -------------------
Officers Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ---------------------
Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ------------
Payment Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- --------------
Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
- ------
PORTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ------
Property Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ----------------
Pro Rata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- --------
Purchase Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ------------------
QIBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ----
Quorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ------
Redemption/Distribution Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ------------------------------
Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ----------------
Registered Exchange Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- -------------------------
Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ---------
Relevant Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- ----------------
Responsible Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- -------------------
</TABLE>
- v -
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Restricted Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
- -----------------------------
Restricted Definitive Capital Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ----------------------------------------
Restricted Securities Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ----------------------------
Rule 144A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ---------
Rule 144A Global Capital Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ---------------------------------
Rule 3a-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ---------
Rule 3a-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ---------
Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ----------
Securities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- --------------
Securities Guarantees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ---------------------
Shelf Registration Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ----------------------------
Sponsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- -------
Successor Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- --------------------------
Successor Entity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ----------------
Successor Institutional Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- -------------------------------
Successor Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- --------------------
Super Majority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- --------------
Tax Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- ---------
10% in liquidation amount of the Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- -------------------------------------------
Transfer Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
- --------------
Treasury Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
- --------------------
Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
- -------
</TABLE>
- vi -
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
- --------
Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
- -------------------
Trust Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
- --------------
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT: APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
--------------------------------
SECTION 2.2 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
------------------------------
SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
------------------------------------
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
-----------------------------------------
SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
------------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
-------------------------
SECTION 2.7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
-------------------------
ARTICLE III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
ORGANIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 3.1 NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
----
SECTION 3.2 OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
------
</TABLE>
- vii -
<PAGE> 9
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SECTION 3.3 PURPOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
-------
SECTION 3.4 AUTHORITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
---------
SECTION 3.5 TITLE TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
------------------------------
SECTION 3.6 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE ADMINISTRATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
--------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.7 PROHIBITION OF ACTIONS BY THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
----------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
----------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.9 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
-----------------------------------
SECTION 3.10 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
---------------------------------------
SECTION 3.11 DELAWARE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
----------------
SECTION 3.12 EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
----------------------
SECTION 3.13 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.14 DURATION OF TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
-----------------
SECTION 3.15 MERGERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
-------
ARTICLE IV
SPONSOR
</TABLE>
- viii -
<PAGE> 10
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SECTION 4.1 SPONSORS PURCHASE OF COMMON SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
--------------------------------------
SECTION 4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SPONSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
-------------------------------
ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES
SECTION 5.1 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
------------------
SECTION 5.2 DELAWARE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
----------------
SECTION 5.3 INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
----------------------------------
SECTION 5.4 CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE GENERALLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
--------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 5.5 ADMINISTRATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
--------------
SECTION 5.6 DELAWARE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
----------------
SECTION 5.7 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEES AND
----------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
--------------
SECTION 5.8 VACANCIES AMONG TRUSTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
------------------------
SECTION 5.9 EFFECT OF VACANCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
-------------------
SECTION 5.10 MEETINGS OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE ADMINISTRATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
-----------------------------------------------
SECTION 5.11 DELEGATION OF POWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
-------------------
</TABLE>
- ix -
<PAGE> 11
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SECTION 5.12 CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
---------------------------------------------------
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 6.1 DISTRIBUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
-------------
ARTICLE VII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
---------------------------------------
SECTION 7.2 PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
------------------------------------------
SECTION 7.3 FORM AND DATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
---------------
SECTION 7.4 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
-------------------------------------------------
SECTION 7.5 TEMPORARY SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
--------------------
SECTION 7.6 CANCELLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
------------
SECTION 7.7 CUSIP NUMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
-------------
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- x -
<PAGE> 12
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
SECTION 9.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
-------
SECTION 9.2 TRANSFER PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
------------------------------------
SECTION 9.3 DEEMED SECURITY HOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
-----------------------
SECTION 9.4 NOTICES TO CLEARING AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
--------------------------
SECTION 9.5 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CLEARING AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
----------------------------------------
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
SECTION 10.1 LIABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
---------
SECTION 10.2 EXCULPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
-----------
SECTION 10.3 FIDUCIARY DUTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
--------------
SECTION 10.4 INDEMNIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
---------------
SECTION 10.5 OUTSIDE BUSINESSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
------------------
SECTION 10.6 COMPENSATION; FEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
-----------------
ARTICLE XI
</TABLE>
- xi -
<PAGE> 13
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ACCOUNTING
SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
-----------
SECTION 11.2 CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
--------------------------
SECTION 11.3 BANKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
-------
SECTION 11.4 WITHHOLDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
-----------
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 12.1 AMENDMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
----------
SECTION 12.2 MEETINGS OF THE HOLDERS OF SECURITIES; ACTION BY WRITTEN
--------------------------------------------------------
CONSENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
-------
ARTICLE XIII
REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
SECTION 13.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
-------------------------------------------------------
AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
------------------------
SECTION 13.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
--------------------------------------------------
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
</TABLE>
- xii -
<PAGE> 14
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SECTION 14.1 NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
-------
SECTION 14.2 GOVERNING LAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
-------------
SECTION 14.3 INTENTION OF THE PARTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
------------------------
SECTION 14.4 HEADINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
--------
SECTION 14.5 AGREEMENT NOT TO PETITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
-------------------------
SECTION 14.6 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
----------------------
SECTION 14.7 PARTIAL ENFORCEABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
----------------------
SECTION 14.8 COUNTERPARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
------------
ANNEX I
TERMS OF
1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
----------------------
2. DISTRIBUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
-------------
3. LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
-----------------------------------------
4. REDEMPTION AND DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
---------------------------
5. VOTING RIGHTS - CAPITAL SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
----------------------------------
</TABLE>
- xiii -
<PAGE> 15
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
6. VOTING RIGHTS - COMMON SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
---------------------------------
7. AMENDMENTS TO DECLARATION AND INDENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
---------------------------------------
8. PRO RATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
--------
9. RANKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
-------
10. ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITIES GUARANTEE AND INDENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
------------------------------------------------
11. NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
--------------------
12. MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
-------------
</TABLE>
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT A-3
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT D
SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE
- xiv -
<PAGE> 16
EXHIBIT E
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT F
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
- xv -
<PAGE> 17
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
March 27, 1997
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST (Declaration) dated and
effective as of March 27, 1997, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the
Administrators (as defined herein) and the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by
the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust
to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor established
National Commerce Capital Trust I (the Trust), a statutory business trust under
the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of
March 14, 1997 (the Original Declaration), and a Certificate of Trust filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 14, 1997, for the
sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds
thereof in certain debentures of the Debenture Issuer (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been
issued;
WHEREAS, all of the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by
this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the
Original Declaration to provide for, among other things, (i) the issuance and
sale of the Common Securities (as defined herein) by the Trust to the Sponsor,
(ii) the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) by the
Trust pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Placement Agreement, (iii) the
acquisition by the Trust from the Sponsor of all of the right, title and
interest in the Debentures (as defined herein), and (iv) the appointment of the
Administrators; and
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to
continue the Trust as a statutory business trust under the Business Trust Act
(as defined herein) and that this Declaration constitutes the governing
instrument of such statutory business trust, the Trustees declare that all
assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the
holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the
provisions of this Declaration.
ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
- 1 -
<PAGE> 18
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided for or unless the context
otherwise requires:
(a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in
the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this
Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to the Declaration or this Declaration are to
this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and
Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits
to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein)
has the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in
this Declaration or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
(g) the words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase without limitation;
(h) all accounting terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles as in effect at the time of computation; and
(i) the words herein, hereof and hereunder and other words of
similar import refer to this Declaration as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
Administrative Action has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(b) of
Annex I.
Administrators means each of Lon M. Magness, Susan F. Warner and
Walter H. Bynum, solely in such Persons capacity as Administrator of the Trust
created and continued hereunder and not in such Persons individual capacity, or
such Administrators successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor
appointed as herein provided.
Affiliate has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
- 2 -
<PAGE> 19
Authorized Officer of a Person means any Person that is authorized to
bind such Person.
Bankruptcy Event means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having
jurisdiction in the premises in respect of such Person in an involuntary case
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for
any substantial part of its property, or the ordering of the winding-up or
liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and
in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(b) the commencement by such Person of a voluntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, the consent by such Person to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case under any such law, the consent by such Person to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of such Person of
any substantial part of its property, the making by such Person of any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by such Person
generally to pay its debts as they become due.
Bankruptcy Laws has the meaning set forth in Section 14.5.
Book Entry Interest means a beneficial interest in one or more Global
Capital Securities, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and
made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.2.
Business Day means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other
day on which banking institutions in New York City (in the State of New York)
or Memphis (in the State of Tennessee) are permitted or required by any
applicable any applicable law to close.
Business Trust Act means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code,
12 Del. Code 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any
successor legislation.
Capital Securities Guarantee means the guarantee agreement to be
dated as of March 27, 1997, of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital
Securities.
Capital Securities means the Initial Capital Securities and the
Exchange Capital Securities.
Capital Security Beneficial Owner means, with respect to a Book Entry
Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as
reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person
maintaining an account with such Clearing
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Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect
participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing
Agency).
Capital Security Certificate means a Certificate representing a
Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.
Certificate means any certificate evidencing Securities.
Clearing Agency means an organization registered as a Clearing Agency
pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for
the Capital Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that
organization shall be registered a Global Capital Security and which shall
undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Capital Securities.
Clearing Agency Participant means a broker, dealer, bank, other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing
Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with
the Clearing Agency.
Closing Date means the Closing Date under the Purchase Agreement.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).
Common Securities Guarantee means the guarantee agreement to be dated
as of March 27, 1997 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities.
Common Security has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).
Common Security Certificate means a definitive Certificate in fully
registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-3.
Company Indemnified Person means (a) any Administrator; (b) any
Affiliate of any Administrator; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders,
members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrator;
or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.
Corporate Trust Office means the office of the Institutional Trustee
at which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at
any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Declaration is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West,
New York, New York 10286.
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Covered Person means: (a) any Administrator, officer, director,
shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the
Trust or (ii) the Trusts Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.
Debenture Issuer means National Commerce Bancorporation, a Tennessee
corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.
Debenture Trustee means The Bank of New York, a New York banking
corporation, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed
thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.
Debentures means the Initial Debentures and the Exchange Debentures.
Definitive Capital Securities means Initial Definitive Capital
Securities and Exchange Definitive Capital Securities.
Delaware Trustee has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
Depositary means, with respect to the Capital Securities, DTC, or
another Clearing Agency.
Direct Action has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(e).
Distribution means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in
accordance with Section 6.1.
Distribution Payment Date has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b)
of Annex I.
DTC means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, the
initial Clearing Agency.
Event of Default in respect of the Securities means an Indenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
Exchange Capital Securities has the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a).
Exchange Capital Security Certificate means a Certificate
representing an Exchange Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit
A-2.
Exchange Certificate means a Common Security Certificate or an
Exchange Capital Security Certificate.
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Exchange Debentures means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer
under the Indenture in exchange for the Initial Debentures pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement.
Exchange Definitive Capital Securities means any Exchange Securities
in definitive form issued by the Trust.
Exchange Global Capital Securities means any Exchange Capital
Securities in global form issued by the Trust.
Exchange Securities means Common Securities and Exchange Capital
Securities.
Extension Period has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex
I.
Federal Reserve has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.
Fiduciary Indemnified Person shall mean the Institutional Trustee,
the Delaware Trustee, any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, and any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional
Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.
Global Capital Securities means any Initial Global Capital Securities
and Exchange Global Capital Securities.
Holder means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning
of the Business Trust Act.
IAI has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(c).
Indemnified Person means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary
Indemnified Person.
Indenture means the Indenture dated as of March 27, 1997, among the
Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental
thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued.
Indenture Event of Default means an Event of Default as defined in
the Indenture.
Initial Capital Securities has the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a).
Initial Capital Security Certificate means a certificate representing
an Initial Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.
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Initial Certificate means a Common Security Certificate or an Initial
Capital Security Certificate.
Initial Debentures means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer
under the Indenture on the Closing Date to be held by the Institutional Trustee
or, upon a dissolution of the Trust, the Depositary or the Holder, as the case
may be, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit D.
Initial Definitive Capital Securities means any Restricted Definitive
Capital Security and any other Initial Capital Securities in definitive form
issued by the Trust.
Initial Global Capital Securities means any Rule 144A Global Security
and any other Initial Capital Securities in global form issued by the Trust.
Initial Securities means the Common Securities and the Initial
Capital Securities.
Institutional Trustee means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
requirements set forth in Section 5.3
interest means any interest due on the Debentures including any
Compounded Interest, Special Interest and Additional Interest (as each such
term is defined in the Indenture).
Investment Company means an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
Legal Action has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(e).
Liquidation has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.
Liquidation Distribution has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of
Annex I.
Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities means Holder(s) of
outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may
require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding
Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of
more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount
that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and
unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are
determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.
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Offering Memorandum has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
Officers Certificates means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for it in this Declaration shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the 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 Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officers 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.
Paying Agent has the meaning specified in Section 7.2.
Payment Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
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.
Placement Agreement means the Placement Agreement entered into among
the Sponsor, the Trust and NBC Capital Markets, Inc., dated as of March 20,
1997, for the placement of up to $3 million aggregate stated liquidation amount
of Capital Securities.
PORTAL has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(a)(i).
Property Account has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c).
Pro Rata has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8 of Annex I.
Purchase Agreement means the Purchase Agreement for the offering and
sale of Capital Securities in the form of Exhibit E.
QIBs has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
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Quorum means a majority of the Administrators or, if there are only
two Administrators, both of them.
Redemption/Distribution Notice has the meaning set forth in paragraph
4(g) of Annex I.
Redemption Price has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex
I.
Registered Exchange Offer has the meaning as set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
Registrar has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
Registration Rights Agreement means the Registration Rights Agreement
relating to the Securities in the form of Exhibit F.
Relevant Trustee has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(a).
Responsible Officer means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee,
any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee,
including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant
secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other
officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional 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 officers
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
Restricted Capital Securities means Rule 144A Global Capital
Securities and Restricted Definitive Capital Securities.
Restricted Definitive Capital Securities has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(c).
Restricted Securities Legend has the meaning set forth in Section
9.2(g).
Rule 144A means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A Global Capital Security has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(a).
Rule 3a-5 means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.
Rule 3a-7 means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.
Securities means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.
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Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time or any successor legislation.
Securities Guarantees means the Common Securities Guarantee and the
Capital Securities Guarantee.
Shelf Registration Statement has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
Sponsor means National Commerce Bancorporation, a Tennessee
corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or
amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.
Successor Delaware Trustee has the meaning set forth in Section
5.7(b).
Successor Entity has the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(b).
Successor Institutional Trustee has the meaning set forth in Section
5.7(b).
Successor Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(b).
Super Majority has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii).
Tax Event has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(b) of Annex I.
10% in liquidation amount of the Securities means Holder(s) of
outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may
require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding
Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of
10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount
that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and
unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are
determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.
Transfer Agent has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
Treasury Regulations means the income tax regulations, including
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time
(including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
Trustee or Trustees means each Person who has signed this Declaration
as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in accordance
with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly
appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees
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in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or
the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as
trustees hereunder.
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
Trust Property means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in,
or owing to, the Property Account and (c) 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 Institutional Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this
Declaration.
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application.
(a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a
trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities.
(a) Each of the Sponsor and the Administrators on behalf of the
Trust shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each
record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the
Institutional Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Holders of the Securities (List of Holders) as of such record date, provided
that neither the Sponsor nor the Administrators on behalf of the Trust shall 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 given to the Institutional
Trustee by the Sponsor and the Administrators on behalf of the Trust, and (ii)
at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request
therefor, a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List
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of Holders is given to the Institutional Trustee. The Institutional Trustee
shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all
information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in
its capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity), provided that the
Institutional Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on
receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations
under 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee. Within 60 days
after April 15 of each year, the Institutional Trustee shall provide to the
Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as are required by 313 of the
Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by 313 of
the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional Trustee shall also comply with the
requirements of 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Sponsor shall promptly
notify the Institutional Trustee in writing when the Capital Securities are
listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee. Each of the
Sponsor and the Administrators on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the
Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by
314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by 314(a) of the Trust
Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by 314 of
the Trust Indenture Act and an Officers Certificate as to its compliance with
all conditions and covenants under this Declaration, on an annual basis on or
before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Sponsor.
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each
of the Sponsor and the Administrators on behalf of the Trust shall provide to
the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the
matters set forth in 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or
opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to 314(c)(1) may be given
in the form of an Officers Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, by vote or
consent, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any
past Event of Default in respect of the Capital Securities and its
consequences, provided that, if the underlying Indenture Event of Default:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default
under this Declaration shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority
in principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a Super
Majority) to be waived under the Indenture, such Event of Default
under this Declaration may only be waived by the vote or consent of
the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the
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Capital Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any
such Indenture Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
with respect to the Capital Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to
have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with
respect to the Capital Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any
waiver by the Holders of the Capital Securities of an Event of Default with
respect to the Capital Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver
by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with
respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without
any other act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities.
The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding of any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee
or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the
Institutional Trustee, including the right to direct the Institutional Trustee
to exercise the remedies available to it as holder of the Debentures.
(b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote or consent, on behalf of the Holders of all of the
Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that if the underlying Indenture
Event of Default:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default
under this Declaration shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be
waived under the Indenture, such Event of Default under this
Declaration may only be waived by the vote or consent of the Holders
of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided,
further, that, notwithstanding (i) or (ii) above, each Holder of the
Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Indenture
Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and their consequences until all Events of Default with
respect to the Capital Securities have been cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will
be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Capital
Securities and only the Holders of the Capital Securities will have
the right to direct the Institutional Trustee in accordance with the
terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section
2.6(b) shall be in
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lieu of 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and
316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby
expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as
permitted in the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing
provisions in this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such
Indenture Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall
be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration,
but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or
Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any
right consequent thereon.
(c) A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default by the Institutional
Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Capital Securities constitutes a
waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of 316(a)(1)(B)
of the Trust Indenture Act and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is
hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.7 Events of Default; Notice. (a) The Institutional
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
Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually
known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless such
defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term defaults
for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Indenture
Event of Default, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and
irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided, however,
that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any)
or interest on any of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of
the Institutional Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any default except:
(i) a default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the
Indenture; or
(ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall
have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the
Institutional Trustee charged with the administration of the
Declaration shall have actual knowledge.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
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SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust is named National Commerce Capital
Trust I, as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators
following written notice to the Holders of the Securities, in which name the
Administrators and 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. The Trusts activities may be conducted under the name of
the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrators.
SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the
Trust is c/o National Commerce Bancorporation, One Commerce Square, Memphis,
Tennessee 38150. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of the
Securities, the Administrators may designate another principal office. The
address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is The Bank of New
York (Delaware), White Clay Center, Route 273, Newark, DE 19711, Attention:
Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address in the State of Delaware
as the Delaware Trustee may designate by written notice to the Holders and the
Sponsor.
SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the
Trust are (a) to issue and sell the Securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (b) to use the proceeds from
such sale to acquire the Debentures and (c) except as otherwise limited herein,
to engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto, which
may include engaging in the Exchange Offer. The Trust shall not borrow money,
issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its
assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that
would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust.
SECTION 3.4 Authority. Except as specifically provided in this
Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall have exclusive and complete
authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by a Trustee
in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the
Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person
shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the
Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the
power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. The
Administrators shall have only those ministerial duties set forth herein with
respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Trust and are not intended to be
trustees or fiduciaries with respect to the Trust or the Holders. The
Institutional Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be obligated except
as provided in Section 3.6, to perform those duties assigned to the
Administrators.
SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in
Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Account or as
otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust
shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any
part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial
interest in the assets of the Trust.
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SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the
Administrators. (a) The Trustees and the Administrators shall conduct the
affairs of the Trust in accordance with the terms of this Declaration. Subject
to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in
accordance with the following provisions (i) and (ii), the Trustees and the
Administrators shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and
agreements determined by the Trustees to be appropriate in exercising the
authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustees or the
Administrators, as the case may be, under this Declaration, and to perform all
acts in furtherance thereof, including without limitation, the following:
(i) Each Administrator shall:
(A) assist in the issuance and sale of the Securities;
(B) cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute and
deliver on behalf of the Trust, such agreements as may be
necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and
function of the Trust, including the Registration Rights
Agreement and agreements with the Depositary and the Paying
Agent;
(C) assist in compliance with the Securities Act,
applicable state securities or blue sky laws and the Trust
Indenture Act;
(D) execute and file one or more registration
statements relating to the Capital Securities contemplated by
the Registration Rights Agreement and prepare and file all
periodic and other reports and other documents pursuant to the
foregoing;
(E) if and at such time determined by the Sponsor,
assist in the designation of the Capital Securities for trading
in the Private Offering, Resales and Trading through the
Automatic Linkages (PORTAL) system or any other national stock
exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Markets National Market;
(F) send notices (other than notices of default), and
other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures
to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;
(G) consent to the appointment of a Paying Agent,
Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with this
Declaration which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(H) execute the Securities in accordance with this
Declaration;
(I) execute and deliver closing certificates, pursuant
to the Purchase Agreement, and apply for a taxpayer
identification number;
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(J) unless otherwise determined by the Institutional
Trustee or the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Securities or as otherwise required by the Business Trust
Act or the Trust Indenture Act, execute on behalf of the Trust
(either acting alone or together with any or all of the
Administrators) any documents that the Administrators have the
power to execute pursuant to this Declaration;
(K) take any action incidental to the foregoing as the
Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is
necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this
Declaration for the benefit of the Holders (without
consideration of the effect of any such action on any
particular Holder);
(L) execute and deliver letters or documents to, or
instruments with, DTC relating to the Capital Securities;
(M) establish a record date with respect to all actions
to be taken hereunder that require a record date be
established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of
316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting
rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of
Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record
dates; and
(N) duly prepare and file all applicable tax returns
and tax information reports that are required to be filed with
respect to the Trust on behalf of the Trust.
(ii) As among the Trustees and the Administrators, the
Institutional 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 Property Account;
(B) the receipt of the Debentures;
(C) the collection of interest, principal and any other
payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Property
Account;
(D) the distribution through the Paying Agent of
amounts owed to the Holders in respect of the Securities;
(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and
privileges of a holder of the Debentures;
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(F) the sending of notices of default and other
information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the
Holders in accordance with this Declaration;
(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in
accordance with the terms of this Declaration;
(H) to the extent provided in this Declaration, 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;
(I) after any Event of Default (provided that such
Event of Default is not by or with respect to the Institutional
Trustee) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing
as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is
necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this
Declaration and protect and conserve the Trust Property for the
benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of
any such action on any particular Holder); and
(J) to take all action that may be necessary or
appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the
Trusts 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 Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the
purposes for which the Trust was created;
(iii) The Institutional Trustee shall have the power and
authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to any of the
duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrators
set forth in Section 3.6(a)(i)(F) and (H) herein but shall not have a
duty to do any such act unless specifically requested to do so in
writing by the Sponsor, and shall then be fully protected in acting
pursuant to such written request; and in the event of a conflict
between the action of the Administrators and the action of the
Institutional Trustee, the action of the Institutional Trustee shall
prevail.
(b) So long as this Declaration remains in effect, the Trust (or
the Trustees or Administrators acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not
undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided
herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Trustees nor the
Administrators may cause the Trust to (i) acquire any investments or engage in
any activities not authorized by this Declaration, (ii) sell, assign, transfer,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust
Property or interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly
provided herein, (iii) take any action that would reasonably be expected to
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 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
Institutional Trustee shall, at the sole
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cost and expense of the Trust, 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 Holders in their capacity as Holders.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Administrators, the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized and directed to
conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the Trust so that the Trust
will not be deemed to be an investment company required to be registered under
the Investment Company Act, or fail to be classified as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Debentures will be
treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal
income tax purposes. In this connection, the Institutional Trustee and the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are
authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable laws, the
Certificate of Trust or this Declaration, as amended from time to time, that
each of the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities determines in its discretion to be necessary or
desirable for such purposes, even if such action adversely affects the
interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.
(d) All expenses incurred by the Administrators or the Trustees
pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor, and the
Trustees shall have no obligations with respect to such expenses.
(e) The assets of the Trust shall consist solely of the Trust
Property.
(f) Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times
in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and
administered by the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Trust and
neither the Administrator nor the Holders in accordance with this Declaration.
SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.
(a) The Trust shall not, and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust
not to, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this
Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Institutional Trustee
shall cause the Trust not to:
(i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding
the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of
the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the
Securities;
(ii) acquire any assets or investments or engage in any
activities other than as expressly provided herein;
(iii) possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose;
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(iv make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
represented by the Debentures;
(v) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to
vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way
whatsoever other than as expressly provided herein;
(vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial
ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the
Securities; or
(vii) other than as provided in this Declaration (including
Annex I), (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to
the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the
Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration
that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or
(D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required
unless the Trust shall have received an opinion of counsel to the
effect that such modification will not cause more than an
insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes
the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust.
SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee. (a)
The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the
name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust and the
Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional
Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may
hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7.
Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not
conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and
delivered.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title
and interest in the Debentures to the Administrators or to the Delaware Trustee
(if the Institutional Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).
(c) The Institutional Trustee shall:
(i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing
trust account (the Property Account) in the name of and under the
exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee, and maintained in the
Institutional Trustees trust department, on behalf of the Holders of
the Securities and, promptly upon the receipt of payments of funds
made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee,
deposit such funds into the Property Account and make payments to the
Holders of the Capital Securities and Holders of the Common
Securities from the Property Account in accordance with Section 6.1.
Funds in the Property Account shall be held uninvested until
disbursed in accordance with this Declaration.
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(ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be
necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are
redeemed or mature; and
(iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the
Administrators in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage
in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate
to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities
upon the occurrence of certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of
the Securities.
(d) The Institutional Trustee shall take all actions and perform
such duties as may be specifically required of the Institutional Trustee
pursuant to the terms of the Securities.
(e) The Institutional Trustee may bring or defend, pay, collect,
compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or
demands of or against the Trust (Legal Action) which arises out of or in
connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the
Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or the Institutional Trustees duties
and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act; provided,
however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer 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), then a Holder
of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding against the
Debenture Issuer 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 Capital Securities of such Holder (a Direct Action)
on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection
with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities
will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of the Capital Securities to
the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of the
Capital Securities in such Direct Action; provided, however, that no Holder of
the Common Securities may exercise any such right of subrogation so long as an
Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities has occurred and is
continuing.
(f) The Institutional Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee
until either:
(i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds
of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of the Securities
pursuant to the terms of the Securities; or
(ii) a Successor Institutional Trustee (as defined herein) has
been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with
Section 5.7.
(g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise
all of the rights, powers and privileges of a Holder of the Debentures under
the Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the
Institutional Trustee may, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities,
enforce its rights as Holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the
Holders pursuant to this Declaration (including Annex I) and the terms of the
Securities.
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The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take
any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust
set out in Section 3.3.
SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Institutional 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 Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this
Declaration against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has
occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the
Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees and the
Administrators shall be as provided by this Declaration and, in the case of the
Institutional Trustee, by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no provision of this Declaration shall require the Trustees or
Administrators to expend or risk their 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
satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this
Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording
protection to the Trustees or Administrators shall be subject to the provisions
of this Article. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed to release an
Administrator or Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, provided that the
Administrator or 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. To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Trustee or an
Administrator has duties and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to
the Holders, such Administrator or Trustee shall not be liable to the Trust or
to any Holder for such Administrators good faith reliance on the provisions of
this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they
restrict the duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Trustees
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sponsor and the
Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrators or
the Trustees.
(c) All payments made by the Institutional Trustee or a Paying
Agent in respect of the 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
Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the
terms hereof. Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it
will look solely to the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the
extent legally available for
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distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees and the
Administrators are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in
respect of any Security or for any other liability in respect of any Security.
This Section 3.9(c) does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set
forth elsewhere in this Declaration or, in the case of the Institutional
Trustee, in the Trust Indenture Act.
(d) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve
the Institutional Trustee from liability with respect to matters that are
within the authority of the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any
error or judgment made in good faith by an authorized signatory of
the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the
Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent
facts;
(ii) the Institutional 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 Capital Securities or
the Common Securities, as applicable, relating to the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;
(iii) the Institutional Trustees sole duty with respect to the
custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and
the Property Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar
manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for
its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on
liability afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this
Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;
(iv) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any
interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree
in writing with the Sponsor; and money held by the Institutional
Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in
relation to the Property Account maintained by the Institutional
Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent
otherwise required by law; and
(v) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for
monitoring the compliance by the Administrators or the Sponsor with
their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the
Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the
Administrators or the Sponsor.
(e) The Administrators shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective duties under
this Declaration, nor shall any
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Administrator be liable for the default or misconduct of any other
Administrator, the Trustee or the Sponsor.
SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. Subject to
the provisions of Section 3.9:
(a) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall fully
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, direction, 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, sent or
presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) if (i) in performing its duties under this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of
action, or (ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other
provisions contained herein, or (iii) the Institutional Trustee is unsure of
the application of any provision of this Declaration, then, except as to any
matter as to which the Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote under
the terms of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee may deliver a notice
to the Sponsor requesting the Sponsors opinion as to the course of action to be
taken and the Institutional Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from
taking such action, as the Institutional Trustee in its sole discretion shall
deem advisable and in the best interests of the Holders, in which event the
Institutional Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad faith,
negligence or willful misconduct;
(c) any direction or act of the Sponsor contemplated by this
Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers Certificate;
(d) in the administration of this Declaration, before undertaking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee may
(unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed), in the absence of
bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers Certificate as to
factual matters set forth therein; the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty
to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including
any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities
laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;
(e) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel of its
choice (which counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor 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; the
Institutional Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions
concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent
jurisdiction;
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(f) the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the
request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Institutional Trustee security or
indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction, provided that nothing contained in this Section 3.10(g) shall be
taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, or its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by
this Declaration;
(g) the Institutional 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 Holders,
but the Institutional Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation
into such facts or matters as it may see fit;
(h) the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of, or for the
supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder;
(i) whenever in the administration of this Declaration the
Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder
the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the
Capital Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the
same proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be
entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Capital
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 fully protected in acting in
accordance with such instructions;
(j) except as otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that
is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration;
(k) when the Institutional Trustee incurs expenses or renders
services in connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the
fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or
law relating to creditors rights generally;
(l) the Institutional Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge
of an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Institutional
Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Institutional Trustee
receives written notice of such event from Holders
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<PAGE> 42
holding more than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities
(based upon liquidation amount);
(m) any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents
hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the
signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient
and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required
to inquire as to the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to
its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both
of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustees or its
agents taking such action; and
(n) no provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Institutional 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 Institutional
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 Institutional
Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be
entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the
duties and responsibilities of any of the Trustees or the Administrators
described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the
Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of
fulfilling the requirements of 3807 of the Business Trust Act.
SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents. Subject to the provisions of
Section 3.11, unless otherwise determined in writing by the Institutional
Trustee, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, the
Institutional Trustee, or any one or more of the Administrators, as the case
may be, is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the
Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, have the power and
authority to execute pursuant to this Declaration.
SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as
the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees and the Administrators do not
assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees and the
Administrators make no representations as to the value or condition of the
property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees and the Administrators
make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration,
the Debentures or the Securities and shall not be responsible for the
application by the Sponsor of the proceeds of the Debentures.
SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless terminated
pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence for 55
years from the Closing Date.
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SECTION 3.15 Mergers. (a) The Trust may not 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 corporation or
other body, except as described in this Section 3.15(b) and (c).
(b) The Trust may, at the request of the Holders of the Common
Securities and with the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities but without the consent of the Trustees
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust
organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that:
(i) if the Trust is not the Survivor, such successor entity
(the Successor Entity) either:
(A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Trust under the Securities; or
(B) substitutes for the Securities other securities
having substantially the same terms as the Securities (the
Successor Securities) so that the Successor Securities rank the
same as the Securities rank with respect to Distributions and
payments upon Liquidation, redemption and otherwise;
(ii) the Institutional Trustee expressly appoints a trustee of
the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the
Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;
(iii) the Capital Securities or any Successor Securities are
listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification
of issuance, on any national securities exchange or with another
organization on which the Capital Securities are then listed or
quoted, if any;
(iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement
does not cause the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization;
(v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement
does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in
any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of such
Holders interests in the Successor Entity as a result of such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement);
(vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially
identical to that of the Trust;
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(vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally
recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such
matters to the effect that:
(A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any
Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with
respect to any dilution of the Holders interest in the
Successor Entity);
(B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation
or replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will
be required to register as an Investment Company;
(C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation
or replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will
continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes; and
(viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such
Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the
extent provided by the Securities Guarantees;
(ix) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Institutional Trustee shall have received an
Officers Certificate of the Administrators and an opinion of counsel,
each to the effect that all conditions precedent of this paragraph
(b) to such transaction have been satisfied.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except
with the consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or to be replaced by any other
entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or
into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement
would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE IV
SPONSOR
SECTION 4.1 Sponsors Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing
Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the
Trust, in an amount at least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the
same time as the Capital Securities are sold.
SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the
issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive
right and responsibility to engage in the following activities (and any actions
taken by the Sponsor in furtherance of the
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following prior to the date of this Declaration are hereby ratified and
confirmed in all respects):
(a) to prepare and distribute an offering memorandum in relation to
the Capital Securities, including any amendments or supplements thereto (the
Offering Memorandum) and to take any action necessary to obtain an exemption
from the Securities Act;
(b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to
qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do
any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and
advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing
any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such
States;
(c) to prepare for filing and request the Administrators to cause
the filing by the Trust, as may be appropriate, of an application to the
PORTAL, the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the
Nasdaq National Market for listing or quotation upon notice of issuance of any
Capital Securities; and
(d) to negotiate the terms of and/or execute on behalf of the
Trust, the Purchase Agreement, the Placement Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the Capital
Securities.
(e) to take any other actions necessary or desirable to carry
out any of the foregoing activities.
ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES
SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially
shall be two (2), and:
(a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor
may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and
(b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees
may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Capital Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Capital Securities; provided, however, that there shall be a
Delaware Trustee if required by Section 5.2; and there shall always be one
Trustee who shall be the Institutional Trustee, and such Trustee may also serve
as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements, in which case
Section 3.11 shall have no application to such entity in its capacity as
Institutional Trustee.
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SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee. If required by the Business Trust
Act, one Trustee (the Delaware Trustee) shall be:
(a) a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or
(b) 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 law, including 3807 of the Business Trust Act.
SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as
Institutional Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;
(ii) not offer or provide credit or credit enhancement to the
Trust; and
(iii) 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 permitted by
the 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 million
U.S. dollars ($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 5.3(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 Institutional Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section
5.7(a).
(c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any
conflicting interest within the meaning of 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act,
the Institutional 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 Declaration.
(d) The Indenture, the Debt Securities (as defined therein) issued
or to be issued thereunder, the Declaration, the Securities issued or to be
issued hereunder and the Capital Securities Guarantee and Common Securities
Guarantee in connection therewith shall be
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deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause
(i) of the proviso contained in 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be The Bank of New
York.
SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of the Delaware Trustee
Generally. The Delaware 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
Authorized Officers.
SECTION 5.5 Administrators. The initial Administrators shall be Lon
M. Magness, Susan F. Warner and Walter H. Bynum.
Except where a requirement for action by a specific number of
Administrators is expressly set forth in this Declaration and except with
respect to any action the taking of which is the subject of a meeting of the
Administrators any action required or permitted to be taken by the
Administrators may be taken by, and any power of the Administrators may be
exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Administrators.
SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee
shall be The Bank of New York (Delaware).
SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and
Administrators.
(a) No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the Relevant Trustee)
and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become
effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in
accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 5.7.
Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, a Relevant Trustee
may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders of the
Securities and by appointing a successor Relevant Trustee. Upon the
resignation of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall
appoint a successor by requesting from at least three Persons meeting the
eligibility requirements, its expenses and charges to serve as the successor
Institutional Trustee on a form provided by the Administrators, and selecting
the Person who agrees to the lowest expense and charges (the Successor
Institutional Trustee). If the instrument of acceptance by the successor
Relevant Trustee required by Section 5.7 shall not have been delivered to the
Relevant Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation
or delivery of the instrument of removal, the Relevant Trustee may petition, at
the expense of the Trust, any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after
prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Relevant
Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall have no liability for the selection
of such successor pursuant to this Section 5.7.
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The Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them,
may be removed by the act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Capital Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its individual
capacity and on behalf of the Trust) for good cause or if an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing at any time. If any Trustee shall be so
removed, the Holders of Capital Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority
in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding delivered to
the Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or
Trustees, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable
requirements of this Section 5.7. If no successor Relevant Trustee shall have
been so appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by this
Section 5.7, within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of removal, any
Holder who has been a Holder of the Securities for at least six months may, on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a successor Relevant Trust or Trustees.
The Institutional Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and
each removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders in the manner provided in Section 5.7(b) and shall give notice to the
Sponsor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant Trustee
and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the Institutional
Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Declaration, in the event a Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or
becomes incompetent or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death,
incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the Institutional Trustee following
the procedures in this Section 5.7 (with the successor being a Person who
satisfies the eligibility requirement for a Delaware Trustee set forth in this
Declaration) (the Successor Delaware Trustee).
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant
Trustee, the retiring Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with
respect to the Trust Securities shall execute and deliver an amendment hereto
wherein each successor Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which
(a) 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 Securities and the Trust and (b) shall add to or change any of
the provisions of this Declaration as shall be necessary to provide for or
facilitate the administration of the Trust by more than one Relevant Trustee,
it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute
such Relevant Trustees co-trustees and upon the execution and delivery of such
amendment 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; but, on request of the Trust of any successor Relevant Trustee such
retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
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successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money
held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities
and the Trust.
(c) No Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable
for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee or
Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(d) 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.
(e) The Holders of the Capital Securities will have no right to
vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are
vested exclusively in the Holders of the Common Securities.
The Administrators (other than the initial Administrators) shall be
appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities, and all Administrators (including the initial Administrators) may
be removed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities or may resign at any time. Each Administrator shall sign an
agreement agreeing to comply with the terms of this Declaration. If at any
time there is no Administrator, the Institutional Trustee or any Holder who has
been a Holder of Securities for at least six months may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of one or more Administrators.
Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrators shall occur, until
such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an Administrator in accordance
with this Section 5.7, the Administrators in office, regardless of their number
(and notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration), shall have all
the powers granted to the Administrators and shall discharge all the duties
imposed upon the Administrators by this Declaration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any other provision of this
Declaration, in the event any Administrator who is a natural person dies or
becomes, in the opinion of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Common Securities, incompetent, or incapacitated, the vacancy created by
such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the remaining
Administrators, if there were at least two of them prior to such vacancy, and
by the Sponsor, if there were not two such Administrators immediately prior to
such vacancy (with the successor in each case being a Person who satisfies the
eligibility requirement for Administrators).
Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration, or by applicable
law, any one Administrator may execute any document or otherwise take any
action which the Administrators are authorized to take under this Declaration.
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SECTION 5.8 Vacancies Among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold
office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to
Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1,
a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy
by the Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Trustees
shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy
shall be filled with an a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7.
SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation,
retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or
incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to dissolve,
terminate or annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees
shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Trustee in
accordance with Section 5.7, the Institutional Trustee shall have all the
powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon
the Trustees by this Declaration.
SECTION 5.10 Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators.
Meetings of the Trustees or the Administrators shall be held from time to time
upon the call of any Trustee or Administrator, as applicable. Regular meetings
of the Trustees and the Administrators, respectively, may be held at a time and
place fixed by resolution of the Trustees or the Administrators, as applicable.
Notice of any in-person meetings of the Trustees or the Administrators shall be
hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with
a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting.
Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Trustees or the Administrators or any
committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing
(including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than
24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the
time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in
person or by telephone) of a Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be,
at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a
Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, attends a meeting for the
express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground
that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided
otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Trustees or the
Administrators, as the case may be, may be taken at a meeting by vote of a
majority of the Trustees or the Administrators present (whether in person or by
telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a
Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the
Trustees or the Administrators. Meetings of the Trustees and the
Administrators together shall be held from the time to time upon the call of
any Trustee or Administrator.
SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Trustee or any
Administrator, as the case may be, 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
3.6; and
(b) the Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to
such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and
the execution of such
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instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or
otherwise as the 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 5.12 Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the
case may be, may be merged or converted or with which either may be
consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as
the case may be, shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or
substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the successor of the
Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, hereunder,
provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions (as
defined herein) in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holders
Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities in accordance with the preferences set forth in their
respective terms as set forth in Annex I. If and to the extent that the
Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including any Compounded
Interest, Special Interest and Additional Interest and/or principal on the
Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee (the amount of any such payment
being a Payment Amount), the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed, to
the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a
Distribution) of the Payment Amount to Holders.
ARTICLE VII
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The
Administrators shall on behalf of the Trust issue one series of capital
securities substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set
forth in Annex I (Initial Capital Securities) and to be exchanged pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement for Capital Securities substantially in the
form of Exhibit A-2 having the terms set forth in Annex I (the Exchange
Securities and together with the Initial Capital Securities, the Capital
Securities) and one series of common securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set
forth in Annex I (the Common Securities). The Trust shall issue no securities
or other
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interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities. The Capital Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon
shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment
of the Holders of the Capital Securities.
(b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by one
or more Administrators. Such signature shall be the facsimile or manual
signature of any Administrator. In case any Administrator of the Trust who
shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrator
before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such
Certificates had not ceased to be such Administrator; and any Certificate may
be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Security, shall be an Administrator of the Trust, although at
the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was
not such an Administrator. A Capital Security shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the
Institutional Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the
Capital Security has been authenticated under this Declaration. Upon written
order of the Trust signed by one Administrator, the Institutional Trustee shall
authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue. The Institutional
Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Trust to
authenticate the Capital Securities. A Common Security need not be so
authenticated.
(c) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the
Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and
shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.
(d) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this
Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
(e) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Capital
Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration,
shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and
shall be bound by, this Declaration and the Capital Securities Guarantee.
SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trust
shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New
York, an office or agency where the Capital Securities may be presented for
payment (Paying Agent), and an office or agency where Securities may be
presented for registration of transfer (the Transfer Agent). The Trust shall
keep or cause to be kept at such office or agency a register for the purpose of
registering Securities and transfers and exchanges of Securities, such register
to be held by a registrar (the Registrar). The Administrators may appoint the
Paying Agent, the Registrar, the Transfer Agent and may appoint one or more
additional Paying Agents or one or more co-Registrars, or one or more
co-Transfer Agents in such other locations as it shall
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determine. The term Paying Agent includes any additional paying agent, the
term Registrar includes any additional registrar or co-Registrar and the term
Transfer Agent includes any additional transfer agent. The Administrators may
change any Paying Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Administrators
shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying
Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar not a party to this Declaration. The
Administrators hereby appoint the Institutional Trustee to act as Paying Agent,
Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities. The Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates may act as
Paying Agent or Registrar.
SECTION 7.3 Form and Dating. The Initial Capital Securities and the
Institutional Trustees certificate of authentication thereon shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, the Exchange Capital Securities and
the Institutional Trustees certificate of authentication thereon shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 and the Common Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3, each of which is hereby incorporated
in and expressly made a part of this Declaration. Certificates may be typed,
printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is
reasonably acceptable to the Administrators, as conclusively evidenced by their
execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, numbers, notations or
other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements
required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject,
if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in
a form acceptable to the Sponsor). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor
shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Institutional
Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex
I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1, A-2 and A-3 are part
of the terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the
Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Administrators and the
Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree
to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. Capital Securities will
be issued only in blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than
$100,000.
(a) Global Capital Securities. The Capital Securities are being
offered and sold by the Trust pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the
Placement Agreement. Securities offered and sold to Qualified Institutional
Buyers (QIBs) in reliance on Rule 144A as provided in the Purchase Agreement,
shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in
definitive, fully registered form without distribution coupons with the
appropriate global legends and the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in
Section 9.2(g) hereto (each, a Rule 144A Global Capital Security), which shall
be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Capital Securities represented
thereby with the Institutional Trustee, at its New York office, as custodian
for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee
of the Depositary, duly executed by the Trust and authenticated by the
Institutional Trustee as hereinafter provided. Such Global Capital Security
shall constitute a single Capital Security for all purposes of this
Declaration. The number of Capital Securities represented by the Rule 144A
Global Capital Security may from time to time be
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increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Institutional
Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
In the event the Initial Global Security is tendered in a Registered
Exchange Offer, it shall be exchanged for interests in a single, permanent
global security in definitive, fully registered form without distribution
coupons. Upon issuance such Exchange Global Security shall be deposited on
behalf of the holders of the Exchange Capital Securities represented thereby
with the Institutional Trustee, at its New York office, as custodian for the
Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the
Depositary, duly executed by the Trust and authenticated by the Institutional
Trustee as hereinafter provided.
(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 7.3(b) shall apply only to
the Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and such other Capital Securities in
global form as may be authorized by the Trust to be deposited with or on behalf
of the Depositary. The Trust shall execute and the Institutional Trustee
shall, in accordance with this Section 7.3, authenticate and make available for
delivery initially one or more Rule 144A Global Capital Securities that (a)
shall be registered in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of such
Depositary and (b) shall be delivered by the Institutional Trustee to such
Depositary or pursuant to such Depositarys instructions or held by the
Institutional Trustee as custodian for the Depositary. Clearing Agency
Participants shall have no rights under this Declaration with respect to any
Rule 144A Global Capital Security held on their behalf by the Depositary or by
the Institutional Trustee as the custodian of the Depositary or under such Rule
144A Global Capital Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Trust,
the Institutional Trustee and any agent of the Trust or the Institutional
Trustee as the absolute owner of such Rule 144A Global Capital Security for all
purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall
prevent the Trust, the Institutional Trustee or any agent of the Trust or the
Institutional Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or
other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the
Depositary and the Clearing Agency Participants, the operation of customary
practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder
of a beneficial interest in any Rule 144A Global Capital Security.
(c) Definitive Capital Securities. Except as provided in Section
7.5, Section 9.2(e) and Section 9.2(f), owners of beneficial interests in the
Rule 144A Global Capital Security will not be entitled to receive physical
delivery of Definitive Capital Securities. Purchasers of Initial Securities
who are institutional accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) or (7) under the Securities Act) (IAIs), but are not QIBs will receive
Initial Capital Securities in the form of individual certificates in
definitive, fully registered form without distribution coupons and with the
Restricted Securities Legend (Restricted Definitive Capital Securities);
provided, however, that upon registration of transfer of such Restricted
Definitive Capital Securities to a QIB, such Restricted Definitive Capital
Securities will, unless the Rule 144A Global Capital Security has previously
been exchanged, be exchanged for an interest in a Rule 144A Global Capital
Security pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 9.2.
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Restricted Definitive Securities will bear the Restricted Securities Legend set
forth in Section 9.2(g) unless removed in accordance with this Section 7.3 or
Section 9.2.
In the event Initial Definitive Capital Securities are tendered in a
Registered Exchange Offer, they will be exchanged for certificated securities
in definitive, fully registered form, without coupons and without the
Restricted Securities Legend; or, at the option of the Holder, as an interest
in the Exchange Global Capital Security issued pursuant to Section 7.1(a).
SECTION 7.4 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If:
(a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Registrar, or if
the Registrar shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of any Certificate; and
(b) there shall be delivered to the Registrar and the
Administrators such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep
each of them harmless; then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate
shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, an Administrator on behalf
of the Trust shall execute (and in the case of a Capital Security Certificate,
the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate) and make available for delivery,
in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination. In connection with the
issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 7.4, the Registrar or the
Administrators may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. In
addition, the Trust may charge the recipient of such new Certificate for the
Trusts expenses in replacing the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Certificate. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall
constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant
Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.
SECTION 7.5 Temporary Securities.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the
Administrators may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the
Institutional Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary
Securities shall be substantially in form of definitive Securities but may have
variations that the Administrators consider appropriate for temporary
Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrators shall prepare and,
in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall
authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.
SECTION 7.6 Cancellation.
The Administrators at any time may deliver Securities to the
Institutional Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar shall forward to the
Institutional Trustee any Securities surrendered to it for registration of
transfer, redemption or payment. The Institutional Trustee shall promptly
cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, payment,
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replacement or cancellation and shall return such canceled Securities as the
Administrators direct. The Administrators may not issue new Securities to
replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the
Institutional Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 7.7 CUSIP Numbers.
The Trust in issuing the Capital Securities may use CUSIP numbers (if
then generally in use), and, if so, the Institutional Trustee shall use CUSIP
numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Capital
Securities; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is
made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Capital
Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be
placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Capital
Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or
omission of such numbers. The Sponsor will promptly notify the Institutional
Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust
shall dissolve:
(i) unless earlier terminated, on March 27, 2052, the
expiration of the term of the Trust;
(ii) upon a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor; the
Trust or the Debenture Issuer;
(iii) (other than in connection with a merger, consolidation
or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this
Declaration or the Securities Guarantees, as the case may be) upon
the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with
respect to the Sponsor, upon the consent of Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single
class to file a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust
or upon the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the
expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a
reinstatement thereof;
(iv) upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of
the Securities, upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of
the outstanding Common Securities to terminate the Trust as provided
in Annex I hereto;
(v) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the
Debenture Issuer by a court of competent jurisdiction;
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(vi) when all of the Securities shall have been called for
redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall
have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the
Securities; or
(vii) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent
of all of the Trustees and the Sponsor.
(b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 8.1(a), and after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust, and subject to the terms set forth in Annex I, the
Administrators and Trustees (each of whom is hereby authorized to take such
action) shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
termination of the Trust.
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
SECTION 9.1 General.
(a) Where Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or a
co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an
equal number of Capital Securities represented by different certificates, the
Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements
for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfer and
exchanges, the Trust shall issue and the Institutional Trustee shall
authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrars request.
(b) Upon issuance of the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall
acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities and
for so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the Sponsor shall maintain
100% ownership of the Common Securities, provided, however, that any permitted
successor of the Sponsor under the Indenture may succeed to the Sponsors
ownership of the Common Securities.
(c) Capital Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in
part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration
and in the terms of the Securities, provided, however, that Initial Capital
Securities may be transferred only in blocks having a stated liquidation amount
of not less than $100,000 (i.e., 100 Initial Capital Securities). Any transfer
or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this
Declaration shall be null and void and will be deemed to be of no legal effect
whatsoever and any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder of such
Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the receipt of
Distributions on such Capital Securities, and such transferee shall be deemed
to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.
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(d) The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities
and of transfers of Securities, which will be effected without charge but only
upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of
any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar
shall cause one or more new Securities to be issued in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees. Every Security surrendered for
registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or
such Holders attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered
for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Institutional Trustee
pursuant to Section 7.6. A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the
rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by
such transferee of a Security. By acceptance of a Security, each transferee
shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.
(e) The Trust shall not be required (i) to issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Capital Securities during a period beginning at
the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Capital
Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business on the earliest
date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to
all Holders of the Capital Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) to register the
transfer or exchange of any Capital Security so selected for redemption in
whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Capital Security being
redeemed in part.
SECTION 9.2 Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.
(a) General.
(i) If Initial Capital Securities are issued upon the
registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of Initial Capital
Securities bearing the Restricted Securities Legend, or if a request
is made to remove such Restricted Securities Legend on Initial
Capital Securities, the Initial Capital Securities so issued shall
bear the Restricted Securities Legend, or the Restricted Securities
Legend shall not be removed, as the case may be, unless in the Trusts
judgment there is satisfactory evidence, which may include an opinion
of counsel licensed to practice law in the State of New York, as may
be reasonably required by the Trust, that neither the legend nor the
restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure
that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of Rule 144A or
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or, with respect to Restricted
Capital Securities, that such Securities are not restricted within
the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The Institutional
Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate
and deliver Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.
(ii) If a transfer of Initial Capital Securities is made
pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement, the Restricted
Securities Legend shall be removed from such Initial Capital
Securities so transferred at the request of the Holder.
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(iii) Any Initial Capital Securities which are presented
to the Registrar for exchange pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer
shall be exchanged for Exchange Capital Securities of equal
liquidation amount upon surrender to the Registrar of the Initial
Capital Securities to be exchanged in accordance with the terms of
the Registered Exchange Offer; provided that the Initial Capital
Securities so surrendered for exchange are duly endorsed and
accompanied by a letter of transmittal or written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee and the
Registrar and duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holders
attorney who shall be duly authorized in writing to execute such
document on the behalf of such Holder.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Capital Securities. When
Initial Definitive Capital Securities or Exchange Definitive Capital Securities
are presented to the Registrar (x) to register the transfer of such Initial
Definitive Capital Securities or Exchange Definitive Capital Securities, or (y)
to exchange such Initial Definitive Capital Securities or Exchange Definitive
Capital Securities for an equal number of Initial Definitive Capital Securities
or Exchange Definitive Capital Securities, respectively, of another number, the
Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its
reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that
the Definitive Capital Securities surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trust
and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) in the case of Initial Definitive Capital Securities that
are Restricted Definitive Capital Securities, are being transferred
or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act or pursuant to clause (A), (B), (C) or (D) below,
and are accompanied by the following additional information and
documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities
are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for
registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a
certification from such Holder to that effect;
(B) if such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities
are being transferred pursuant to an exemption from
registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act: (i) a certification to that effect and (ii) if the Trust
so requests, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trust as
to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the
Restricted Securities Legend;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities
are transferred to QIBs in accordance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, the transferee QIBs must take delivery of their
interests in the Capital Securities in the form of a beneficial
interest in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security in accordance
with Section 9.2(c); or
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(D) if such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities
are being transferred to a Person who is an IAI, but it is not
a QIB, upon the delivery of a certificate by the transferee IAI
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and such other
opinion, certification and/or other information as may be
reasonably required by the Trust or the Sponsor, the
Institutional Trustee shall cancel or cause to be canceled such
Restricted Definitive Securities being transferred and
concurrently therewith, the Trust shall issue and the
Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of
any Administrator, an appropriate number of Restricted
Definitive Capital Securities.
(c) Restrictions on Transfer of an Initial Definitive Capital
Security for a Beneficial Interest in an Initial Global Capital Security. An
Initial Definitive Capital Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial
interest in an Initial Global Capital Security except upon satisfaction of the
requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Institutional Trustee of an
Initial Definitive Capital Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trust,
together with:
(i) if such Initial Definitive Capital Security is a
Restricted Capital Security, certification, substantially in the form
set forth of Exhibit C hereto, that such Definitive Capital Security
is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act; and
(ii) whether or not such Definitive Capital Security is a
Restricted Capital Security, written instructions directing the
Institutional Trustee to make, or to direct the Depositary to make,
an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Initial
Global Capital Security to reflect an increase in the number of the
Initial Capital Securities represented by the Initial Global Capital
Security, then the Institutional Trustee shall cancel such Initial
Definitive Capital Security and cause, or direct the Depositary to
cause, the aggregate number of Initial Capital Securities represented
by the Global Capital Security to be increased accordingly. If no
Initial Global Capital Securities are then outstanding, the Trust
shall issue and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, upon
written order of any Administrator, an appropriate number of Initial
Capital Securities in global form.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Global Capital Securities. The
transfer and exchange of Initial Global Capital Securities or Exchange Global
Capital Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through
the Depositary, in accordance with this Declaration (including applicable
restrictions on transfer set forth in the Restricted Securities Legend) and the
procedures of the Depositary therefor. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this Declaration, a Global Capital Security may not be transferred as a whole
except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or another nominee of
the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor
Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
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(e) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in an Initial Global Capital
Security for a Definitive Capital Security.
(i) Any Person having a beneficial interest in an Initial
Global Capital Security that is being transferred or exchanged
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act or pursuant to clause (A) or (B) below may upon request, and if
accompanied by the information specified below, exchange such
beneficial interest for an Initial Definitive Capital Security or an
Exchange Definitive Capital Security, as the case may be,
representing the same number of Initial Capital Securities or
Exchange Definitive Capital Securities, as the case may be. Upon
receipt by the Institutional Trustee from the Depositary or its
nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in an
Initial Global Capital Security or an Exchange Definitive Capital
Security, as the case may be, of written instructions or such other
form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary or the Person
designated by the Depositary as having such a beneficial interest in
such Global Capital Security and in the case of an Initial Global
Security the following additional information and documents (all of
which may be submitted by facsimile):
(A) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with
Rule 144 under the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that
effect from the transferee or transferor and (ii) if the Trust
so requests, additional evidence reasonably satisfactory to it
as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the
Restricted Securities legend; or
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to
a Person who is an IAI, but is not a QIB, upon the delivery of
a certificate by the transferee IAI substantially in the form
of Exhibit B hereto and such other opinion, certification
and/or other information as may be reasonably required by the
Trust and the Sponsor, then the Institutional Trustee will
cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and
procedures of the Depositary, the aggregate liquidation amount
of the Global Capital Security to be reduced on its books and
records and, following such reduction, the Administrators will
issue and the Institutional Trustee will authenticate, upon
written order of any Administrator, an appropriate number of
Definitive Capital Securities.
(ii) Definitive Capital Securities issued in exchange for a
beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security pursuant to this
Section 9.2(e) shall be registered in such names and in such
authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions
from Clearing Agency Participants or indirect participants or
otherwise, shall instruct the Institutional Trustee. The
Institutional Trustee shall deliver such Capital Securities to the
Persons in whose names such Capital Securities are so registered in
accordance with the instructions of the Depositary.
(f) Authentication of Definitive Capital Securities.
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If at any time:
(i) the Depositary notifies the Institutional Trustee and the
Administrators that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue
as Depositary for the Global Capital Securities and a successor
Depositary for the Global Capital Securities is not appointed by the
Trust at the direction of the Sponsor within 90 days after delivery
of such notice; or
(ii) the Administrators notify the Institutional Trustee in
writing to issue Definitive Capital Securities under this
Declaration, then the Trust will execute, and the Institutional
Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Trust signed by one
Administrator requesting the authentication and delivery of
Definitive Capital Securities to the Persons designated by the Trust,
will authenticate and deliver Definitive Capital Securities, in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Global
Capital Securities, in exchange for such Global Capital Securities.
(g) Legend.
Except as permitted by Section 9.2(a), each Initial Capital Security
certificate evidencing the Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and the
Restricted Definitive Capital Securities (and all Initial Capital Securities
issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend (the
Restricted Securities Legend) in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER
THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF
THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER
OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH NATIONAL COMMERCE
BANCORPORATION (THE COMPANY) OR NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I (THE TRUST)
OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR
ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) (THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION DATE)
ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (RULE 144A),
TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A
QUALIFIED
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INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN
RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE
MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT,
SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S AND THE TRUSTS RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED
FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL
COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. SECURITIES OWNED BY A PURCHASER THAT
IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER MAY NOT BE HELD IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM.
THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION DATE.
[THIS SECURITY MAY BE DEEMED TO BE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE TRUST FOR
PURPOSES OF APPLYING ERISA AND SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT
BE PURCHASED OR HELD BY ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OR OTHER PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME
SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (ERISA), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE CODE) (EACH, A PLAN), ANY ENTITY WHOSE
UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS BY REASON OF ANY PLANS INVESTMENT IN THE
ENTITY (A PLAN ASSET ENTITY) OR ANY PERSON INVESTING PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION.
IF A PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY THAT IS A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSET ENTITY
ELECTS TO RELY ON AN EXEMPTION OTHER THAN PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR
84-14, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST MAY REQUIRE A SATISFACTORY OPINION OF COUNSEL
OR OTHER EVIDENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH EXEMPTION FOR SUCH
PURCHASE AND HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST
THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF
THAT EITHER (A) IT IS NOT A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSETS ENTITY AND IS NOT PURCHASING
SUCH SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN OR (B)(I) IT IS
ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE
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EXEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING AND (II) THE COMPANY AND THE
ADMINISTRATORS ARE NOT FIDUCIARIES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(21) OF
ERISA AND THE REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, WITH RESPECT TO ITS INTEREST IN THIS
SECURITY.]
(h) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Capital Security. At such
time as all beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security have either been
exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities to the extent permitted by this
Declaration or redeemed, repurchased or canceled in accordance with the terms
of this Declaration, such Global Capital Security shall be returned to the
Depositary for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Institutional
Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in
a Global Capital Security is exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities,
Capital Securities represented by such Global Capital Security shall be reduced
and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Institutional
Trustee (if it is then the Securities custodian for such Global Capital
Security) with respect to such Global Capital Security, by the Institutional
Trustee to reflect such reduction.
(i) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Capital
Securities.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the
Trust shall execute and the Institutional Trustee shall
authenticate Definitive Capital Securities and Global Capital
Securities at the Registrar's request.
(ii) Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected
without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as
the Registrar or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax
or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to
it.
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the
transfer of or exchange of any Capital Security during a period
beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
any selection of any Capital Security for redemption set forth
in the terms and ending at the close of business on the
earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is
deemed to have been given to all Holders of Capital Securities
to be redeemed.
(iv) All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of
transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration
shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the
same benefits under this Declaration as the Capital Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(j) No Obligation of the Institutional Trustee.
(i) The Institutional Trustee shall have no responsibility or
obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Capital Security, a
Clearing Agency Participant or other
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Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Clearing
Agency or its nominee or of any Participant thereof, with respect to
any ownership interest in the Capital Securities or with respect to
the delivery to any Clearing Agency Participant, beneficial owner or
other Person (other than the Clearing Agency) or any notice
(including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount,
under or with respect to such Capital Securities. All notices and
communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made
to Holders under the Capital Securities shall be given or made only
to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the
Clearing Agency or its nominee in the case of a Global Capital
Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Capital
Security shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency subject
to the applicable rules and procedures of the Clearing Agency. The
Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully
protected in relying upon information furnished by the Clearing
Agency or any agent thereof with respect to its Participants and any
beneficial owners.
(ii) The Institutional Trustee and Registrar shall have no
obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance
with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Declaration or
under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in
any Capital Security (including any transfers between or among
Clearing Agency Participants or beneficial owners in any Global
Capital Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates
and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and
to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this
Declaration, and to examine the same to determine substantial
compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trust, the Administrators,
the Trustees, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar may treat
the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be registered on the books and
records of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate and of the
Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving
Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not
be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
Certificate or in the Securities represented by such Certificate on the part of
any Person, whether or not the Trust, the Administrators, the Trustees, the
Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall have actual or other
notice thereof.
SECTION 9.4 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other
communication to the Capital Security Holders is required under this
Declaration, unless and until Definitive Capital Securities shall have been
issued to the beneficial owners of Capital Securities pursuant to Section
9.2(e) or Section 9.2(f), the Administrators shall give all such notices and
communications specified herein to be given to the Capital Security Holders to
the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the beneficial
owners of Capital Securities.
SECTION 9.5 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any
Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary
with respect to the Capital Securities,
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the Administrators, in their sole discretion, shall appoint a successor
Clearing Agency with respect to such Capital Securities.
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this
Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the
Sponsor shall not be:
(i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the
capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the
Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and
(ii) required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of the
Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.
(b) The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of
the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the
Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trusts assets.
(c) Pursuant to 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of
the Capital Securities 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.
SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be
liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust 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 on
behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed
to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by
this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable
for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified
Persons 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 Trust and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Persons
professional or expert competence and, if selected by such Indemnified Person,
has been selected by such Indemnified Person with reasonable care by or on
behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as
to the value and amount of
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the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the
existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of
Securities might properly be paid.
SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in
equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and
liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an
Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the
extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person
otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the
Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties
hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Indemnified Person.
(b) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted
or required to make a decision:
(i) in its discretion or under a grant of similar authority,
the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests
and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall
have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest
of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or
(ii) in its good faith or under another express standard, the
Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall
not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this
Declaration or by applicable law.
SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Sponsor shall indemnify,
to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a
party to any completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the
Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses), arising out of or in
connection with the creation, operation or dissolution of the Trust or any act
or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on
behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed
to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by
this Declaration, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be
indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such
Indemnified Person by reason of negligence or willful misconduct with respect
to such acts or omissions. 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
Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Declaration.
(ii) To the extent that an Indemnified Person shall be
successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an
action without prejudice or the settlement of
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an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action,
suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this
Section 10.4 (a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by
law, against expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
(iii) The indemnification of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4 (a)
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification of expenses may be entitled under any
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the
Sponsor or Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both
as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another
capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification
under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a
contract between the Sponsor and each Indemnified Person who serves
in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4 (a) is in
effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not
affect any rights or obligations then existing.
(iv) The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any
such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not
the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him against such
liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4 (a).
(v) For purposes of this Section 10.4 (a), references to the
Trust shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving
entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any
Person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such
constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent
of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the
provisions of this Section 10.4 (a) with respect to the resulting or
surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent
entity if its separate existence had continued.
(vi) The indemnification of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided
when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has ceased
to be an Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person.
SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor,
the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee (subject to Section 5.3(c))
may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature
or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the
business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have
no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or
the
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income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even
if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or
improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee, or the
Institutional Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment
or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character
that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered
Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee shall
have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or
fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other
opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional
Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with
the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for,
trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities
or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.
SECTION 10.6 Compensation; Fee. The Sponsor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time reasonable
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); and
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustees upon written request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of
this Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of their respective agents and counsel), except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith.
The provisions of this Section 10.6 shall survive the dissolution of
the Trust and the termination of this Declaration and the removal or
resignation of any Trustee.
No Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any property of the Trust
as a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 10.6.
ARTICLE XI
ACCOUNTING
SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year (Fiscal Year) of the
Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the
Code.
SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during
the existence of the Trust, the Administrators shall keep, or cause to be kept,
full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in
reasonable detail each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be
maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in
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accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and
reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of
independent certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.
(b) The Administrators shall cause to be prepared and delivered to
each of the Holders of Securities, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a
balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related
statements of income or loss which shall be examined by and reported upon by a
firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the
Administrators.
(c) The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and
delivered to each of the Holders of Securities any annual United States federal
income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such
information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by
the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the
Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrators shall
endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each
Fiscal Year of the Trust.
(d) The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and filed an
annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or such other
form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual
income tax returns required to be filed by the Administrators on behalf of the
Trust with any state or local taxing authority.
SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank
accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however,
that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the
Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Account and no
other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Account. The sole
signatories for such accounts (including the Property Account) shall be
designated by the Institutional Trustee.
SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying
Agent and the Administrators shall comply with all withholding requirements
under United States federal, state and local law. The Institutional Trustee or
any Paying Agent shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the
Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent, such forms or certificates as are
necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each
Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by
the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent to assist it in determining the
extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrators
shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an
exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit
amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To
the extent that the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent is required to
withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to
distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed
to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the
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Holder. In the event of any claimed overwithholding, Holders shall be limited
to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be
withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Institutional
Trustee or any Paying Agent may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount
of such withholding.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this
Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may
only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by
(i) the Institutional Trustee;
(ii) the Holders of the Common Securities; and
(iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers,
duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the
Delaware Trustee.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XII, no
amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and
ineffective:
(i) unless the Institutional Trustee shall have first
received
(A) an Officers Certificate from each of the Trust and
the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms
to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the
Securities); and
(B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the
Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and
conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms
of the Securities); and
(ii) if the result of such amendment would be to
(A) cause the Trust to fail to continue to be
classified for purposes of United States federal income
taxation as a grantor trust;
(B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of
the Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust
Indenture Act; or
(C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment
Company required to be registered under the Investment Company
Act.
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(c) Except as provided in Section 12.1(d), (e) or (h), no amendment
shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective
unless the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities shall have consented to such amendment.
(d) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this
Declaration, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Declaration may
not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any distribution on the
Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any distribution
required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or (ii)
restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after such date.
(e) Section 9.1(b) and 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be
amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.
(f) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.
(g) the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities under
Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove,
Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority
in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.
(h) Subject to Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended by
the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in the liquidation
amount of the Common Securities without the consent of the Holders of the
Capital Securities to:
(i) cure any ambiguity;
(ii) correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration
that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of
this Declaration;
(iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations
of the Sponsor;
(iv) to modify, eliminate or add to any provision of this
Declaration to such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the
Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes at all times as a grantor trust and will not be required to
register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act
(including without limitation to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5,
Rule 3a-7 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Company
Act or written change in interpretation or application thereof by any
legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority)
which amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the right,
preferences or privileges of the Holders of Securities; provided,
however, that no such modification, elimination or addition referred
to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) shall adversely affect the powers,
preferences or special rights of Holders
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of Capital Securities; and such amendments of this Declaration shall
become effective when notice thereof is given to the Institutional
Trustee.
SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by
Written Consent.
(a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be
called at any time by the Administrators (or as provided in the terms of the
Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of
Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms
of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital
Securities are listed or admitted for trading, if any. The Administrators
shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the
Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.
Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrators one or more
calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of the Securities wish to
call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the
meeting is to be called. Any Holders of the Securities calling a meeting shall
specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders of the Securities
exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities represented by
such Certificates shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the
required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been
met.
(b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of the
Securities:
(i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the
Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7
days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting.
Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders of the Securities
is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any
stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are listed or admitted
for trading, if any, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a
meeting of the Holders of the Securities. Any action that may be
taken at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities may be taken
without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so
taken is signed by the Holders of the Securities owning not less than
the minimum amount of Securities in liquidation amount that would be
necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all
Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereon were present
and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting
shall be given to the Holders of the Securities entitled to vote who
have not consented in writing. The Administrators may specify that
any written ballot submitted to the Holders of the Securities for the
purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to
the Trust within the time specified by the Administrators;
(ii) each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act
for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is
entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or
voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy
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shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date
thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be
revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of the Securities executing
it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the
giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies,
and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a
Delaware corporation and the Holders of the Securities were
stockholders of a Delaware corporation; each meeting of the Holders
of the Securities shall be conducted by the Administrators or by such
other Person that the Administrators may designate;
(iii) each meeting of the Holders shall be conducted by
the Administrators or by such other Person that the Administrators
may designate; and
(iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the
terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules
of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are then listed
for trading, if any, otherwise provides, the Administrators, in their
sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to
meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice of the time,
place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on
by any Holders of the Securities, waiver of any such notice, action
by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date,
quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter
with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote.
ARTICLE XIII
REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional
Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Institutional Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and
the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustees acceptance of
its appointment as Institutional Trustee, that:
(a) the Institutional Trustee is a New York banking corporation
with trust powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of New York with trust power and authority to execute and
deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this
Declaration;
(b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional
Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. This Declaration has been
duly executed and delivered by the
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Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by
the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee;
(d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this
Declaration;
(e) at the Closing Date, the Institutional Trustee has not
knowingly created any liens or encumbrances on the Trust Securities;
SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee.
The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to
the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each
Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor
at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustees acceptance of its appointment as
Delaware Trustee, that:
(a) The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and
authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations
under the terms of, this Declaration.
(b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its
obligations under the Certificate of Trust and this Declaration. This
Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee. This
Declaration under Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law).
(c) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration.
(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by
the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee.
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(e) The Delaware Trustee is 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, in either case, a
Person that satisfies for the Trust the requirements of Section 3807 of the
Business Trust Act.
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 14.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration
shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:
(a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrators at the
Trusts mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may
give notice of to the Holders of the Securities:
c/o National Commerce Bancorporation
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
Attention: Secretary
(b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to
the Holders of the Securities):
The Bank of New York (Delaware)
23 White Clay Center
Route 27B
Newark, Delaware 19711
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
(c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional
Trustees mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
Floor 21 West
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
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(d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing
address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of
the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):
National Commerce Bancorporation
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
Attention: Secretary
(e) if given to any other Holder, 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.
SECTION 14.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by
such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of laws of the State of
Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the
law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware; provided, however,
that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this
Declaration any provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of
Delaware pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner
inconsistent with the terms hereof (a) the filing with any court or
governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees
and charges, (b) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers,
agents or employees of a trust, (c) the necessity for obtaining court or other
governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of
real or personal property, (d) fees or other sums payable to trustees,
officers, agents or employees of a trust, (e) the allocation of receipts and
expenditures to income or principal, (f) restrictions or limitations on the
permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or
requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or
investing trust assets or (g) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards
of responsibility or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees that are
inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of
the Trustees as set forth or referenced in this Declaration. Section 3540 of
Title 12 of the Delaware Code shall not apply to the Trust.
SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the
parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income
tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be
interpreted to further this intention of the parties.
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SECTION 14.4 Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are
inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation
of this Declaration or any provision hereof.
SECTION 14.5 Agreement Not to Petition. Each of the Trustees, the
Administrators and the Sponsor agree for the benefit of the Holders that, until
at least one year and one day after the Trust has been terminated in accordance
with Article VIII, 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)
(collectively, Bankruptcy Laws) or otherwise join in the commencement of any
proceeding against the Trust under any Bankruptcy Law. In the event the
Sponsor takes action in violation of this Section 14.5, the Institutional
Trustee agrees, for the benefit of Holders, that at the expense of the Sponsor,
it shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest
the filing of such petition by the Sponsor against the Trust or the
commencement of such action and raise the defense that the Sponsor has agreed
in writing not to take such action and should be estopped and precluded
therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as counsel for the Institutional
Trustee or the Trust may assert. If any Trustee or Administrator takes action
in violation of this Section 14.5, the Sponsor agrees, for the benefit of the
Holders, that at the expense of the Sponsor, it shall file an answer with the
bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the filing of such petition by
such Person against the Sponsor or the commencement of such action and raise
the defense that such Person has agreed in writing not to take such action and
should be estopped and precluded therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as
counsel for the Sponsor of the Trust may assert. The provisions of this
Section 14.5 shall survive the termination of this Declaration.
SECTION 14.6 Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration
any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns
of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements
in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the
benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so
expressed.
SECTION 14.7 Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this
Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or
circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the
application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to
which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 14.8 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than
one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by
the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees and Administrators to any
of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages
shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as
though all of the signers had signed a single signature page.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(DELAWARE)
as Delaware Trustee
By:
-----------------------------
Name:
Title
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Institutional Trustee
By:
-----------------------------
Name:
Title:
NATIONAL COMMERCE
BANCORPORATION, as Sponsor
By:
------------------------------
Name:
Title:
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL
TRUST I
By:
Lon M. Magness, as Administrator
By:
Susan F. Warner, as Administrator
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By:
Walter H. Bynum, as Administrator
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ANNEX I
TERMS OF
FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES(SM) (TRUPS(SM))(2)
Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust, dated as of March 27, 1997 (as amended from time to time, the
Declaration), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein
has the meaning set forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in the
Declaration, as defined in the Offering Memorandum referred to below):
1. Designation and Number
(a) Capital Securities. 50,000 Capital Securities of
National Commerce Capital Trust I (the Trust), with an aggregate stated
liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of fifty million
dollars ($50,000,000) and a stated liquidation amount with respect to the
assets of the Trust of $1,000 per Capital Security, are hereby designated for
the purposes of identification only as the Floating Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities(SM) (the Capital Securities). The Capital Security
Certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the
form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto
or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice
or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital
Securities are listed, if any.
(b) Common Securities. 1,547 Common Securities of the Trust
(the Common Securities). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the
Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3 to the
Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as
may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.
2. Distributions
(a) Distributions payable on each Security will be payable at
a variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.98% (the Coupon Rate) of the
stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per Security, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the
- ----------------------------------
(2) Salomon Brothers Inc has filed applications with the United
States Patent and Trademark Office for the registration of the Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities and the TRUPS service marks.
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Institutional Trustee. Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension
Period, Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear
interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent
permitted by applicable law). The term Distributions as used herein includes
cash distributions and any such compounded distributions payable unless
otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments
are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to
the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount
of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
period on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of twelve
30-day months.
(b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will
accrue from the date of original issuance, and will be payable, subject to
extension of distribution payment periods as described herein, quarterly in
arrears on the first day of January, April, July and October of each year,
commencing on July 1, 1997 (each a Distribution Payment Date) when, as and if
available for payment. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture
to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest
payment period (each an Extension Period) at any time and from time to time on
the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, although such
interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures at a variable annual rate
equal to LIBOR plus 0.98% compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law
during any Extension Period. If such right is exercised, quarterly
distributions on the Securities will also be deferred (though such
distributions would continue to accrue at the variable annual rate equal to
LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law) during
any Extension Period. Such right to extend any interest payment period in
respect of the Debentures is limited to Extension Periods, each not exceeding
20 consecutive quarterly periods, provided, however, that no Extension Period
shall be initiated while accrued interest from a prior, completed Extension
Period is unpaid or while the Debenture Issuer is in default in the payment of
interest that has become due and payable on the Debentures; and, provided,
further, that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the maturity of the
Debentures. In the event that the Debenture Issuer exercises this right, then,
during any Extension Period (a) the Debenture Issuer shall not declare or pay
dividends on, make a distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase or
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital
stock or rights to acquire such capital stock (other than (i) purchases or
acquisitions of shares of any such capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Debenture Issuer of
its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a
reclassification of the Debenture Issuers capital stock or rights to acquire
such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the
Debenture Issuers capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock for
another class or series of the Debenture Issuers capital stock or rights to
acquire such capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in
shares of the Debenture Issuers capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged, (iv) dividends and distributions made on the Debenture Issuers
capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock with the Debenture
Issuers capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock or (v) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
shareholder rights plan, or the issuance of stock
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under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such
rights pursuant thereto), or make guarantee payments (other than payments under
the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee for the
Trust) with respect to the foregoing, and (b) the Debenture Issuer shall not
make any payment of interest or principal on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities issued by the Debenture Issuer that rank pari passu with or
junior to such Debentures. Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period in respect of the Debentures, the Debenture Issuer may further extend
the interest payment period; provided that each such Extension Period in
respect of the Debentures, together with all such previous and further
extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or extend
beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period in respect of the Debentures and the payment of all amounts then due,
the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be
paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, or, if such date
is not a Distribution Payment Date, on the immediately following Distribution
Payment Date, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and
records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date.
Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving
effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds
available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the
Trust. The Trusts funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the
Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The
payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the
Guarantor pursuant to the Securities Guarantees.
(c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the
Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the
relevant record dates. While the Capital Securities are held solely in
book-entry only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior
to the relevant payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest
payment dates on the Debentures. Such Distributions will be paid through the
Institutional Trustee who will hold amounts received in respect of the
Debentures in the Property Account for the benefit of the Holders of the
Securities. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions
of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Capital Securities will
be made as described under the heading Description of the Capital Securities --
Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company in the Offering
Memorandum dated March 20, 1997 of the Trust as amended or supplemented form
time to time (the Offering Memorandum). The relevant record dates for the
Common Securities shall be the same record dates as for the Capital Securities.
At any time when the Capital Securities are not held solely in book-entry only
form, the relevant record dates shall be selected by the Administrators, which
dates shall be 15 days before the relevant payment dates. Distributions
payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution
Payment Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a
payment under the Debentures, as the case may be, when due (taking into account
any Extension Period), will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name
such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted
Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such
Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date
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determined in accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which
Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment
of the Distribution payable on such date will 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, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such payment date.
(d) In the event that there is any money or other property
held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property
shall be distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the
Securities.
3. Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution
In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust (each a Liquidation) other
than in connection with a redemption of the Debentures, the Holders of the
Securities will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available
for distribution to Holders of the Securities, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the
Company), distributions equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount of
$1,000 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date
of payment (such amount being the Liquidation Distribution), unless in
connection with such Liquidation, the Debentures in an aggregate stated
principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of such Securities,
with an interest rate equal to the Coupon Rate of, and bearing accrued and
unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on,
and having the same record date as, such Securities, after paying or making
reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust in
accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Business Trust Act, shall be distributed
on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such
Securities.
The Sponsor, as the Holder of all of the Common Securities, has the
right at any time to dissolve the Trust (including without limitation upon the
occurrence of a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company
Event), subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve), if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve
and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, cause the
Debentures to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata
basis in accordance with the aggregate liquidation amount thereof.
The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of (i) March 27, 2052,
the expiration of the term of the Trust, (ii) a Bankruptcy Event with respect
to the Sponsor, Trust or the Debenture Issuer, (iii) (other than in connection
with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the
Indenture, this Declaration or the Securities Guarantees, as the case may be)
the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to
the Trust; upon the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount
of the Securities voting together as a single class to file a certificate of
cancellation with respect to the Trust,
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or upon the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90
days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof, (iv) the
distribution to the Holders of the Securities of the Debentures, upon exercise
of the right of the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities to
terminate Trust as described above, (v) the entry of a decree of a judicial
dissolution of the Sponsor or the Trust, or (vi) when all of the Securities
shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption
thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the
Securities. As soon as practicable after the dissolution of the Trust and upon
completion of the winding up of the Trust, the Trust shall terminate upon the
filing of a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware.
If a Liquidation of the Trust occurs as described in clause (i),
(ii), (iii) or (v) in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Trust shall be
liquidated by the Trustees of the Trust as expeditiously as such Trustees
determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the Trust Securities, the Debentures
on a Pro Rata basis to the extent not satisfied by the Company, unless such
distribution is determined by the Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in
which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Trust available for distribution to the Holders, after satisfaction of
liabilities of creditors of the Trust to the extent not satisfied by the
Company, an amount equal to the Liquidation Distribution. An early Liquidation
of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) above shall occur if the Institutional
Trustee determines that such Liquidation is possible by distributing, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust, to the Holders of the Trust
Securities on a Pro Rata basis, the Debentures, and such distribution occurs.
If, upon any such Liquidation 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 such Capital Securities shall be paid to the Holders of the
Trust Securities on a Pro Rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over
the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.
Upon any such Liquidation of the Trust involving a distribution of
the Debentures, if at the time of such Liquidation, the Capital Securities were
rated by at least one nationally-recognized statistical rating organization,
the Debenture Issuer will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from at
least one such or other rating organization a rating for the Debentures.
After the date for any distribution of the Debentures upon
dissolution of the Trust, (i) the Securities of the Trust will be deemed to be
no longer outstanding, (ii) the Depositary or its nominee, as the record holder
of the Capital Securities, will receive a registered security in global form or
certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such
distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing the Capital Securities
not held by the Depositary or its nominee will be deemed to represent such of
the Debentures as have an aggregate principal
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amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of, with an interest rate
identical to the distribution rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest
equal to accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Securities until such
certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissuance.
4. Redemption and Distribution
(a) The Debentures will mature on April 1, 2027. The
Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time on or after April 1, 2007, at par, plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption (the Redemption Price). In
addition, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or
in part, at any time, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, a
Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event, at par, together with
accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption, within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Capital Treatment Event or
Investment Company Event, as the case may be, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days notice to Holders of such Debentures so long as such Tax Event,
Capital Treatment Event or Investment Company Event, as the case may be, is
continuing. In each case, the right of the Debenture Issuer to redeem the
Debentures is subject to the Debenture Issuer having received prior approval
from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines
or policies of the Federal Reserve.
(b) Tax Event means that the Trustees shall have received an
opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel to the Debenture
Issuer experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any
amendment to, clarification of 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, (b) any
judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory
procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of
intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an Administrative Action), or
(c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or
the interpretation of any Administrative Action or judicial decision that
differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any
legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body,
irrespective of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is
made known, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such
Administrative Action or decision is announced, in each case, on or after the
date of the Offering Memorandum, there is more than an insubstantial risk that
(i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to
United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received
on the Debentures or subject to more than a de minimus amount of other taxes,
duties or other governmental changes, (ii) any portion of interest payable by
the Debenture Issuer to the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days
of the date thereof will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer for United
States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Debenture Issuer could become
liable to pay on the next date on which any amount would be payable with
respect to the Debentures, any Additional Interest.
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(c) Capital Treatment Event means the Debenture Issuer shall
have received an opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in
such matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any rules or
regulations thereunder) of the United States or any rules, guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve or (b) any official or administrative
pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws
or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement,
action or decision is announced on or after the date of the Offering
Memorandum, the Debenture Issuer will not be entitled to treat the Capital
Securities or the Debentures, if the Debenture Issuer were to be distributed
following the occurrence of a Tax Event as described in the proviso to this
paragraph, as Tier 1 Capital (or the equivalent thereof) for purposes of the
risk-based capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in
effect and applicable to the Debenture Issuer; provided, however, that the
distribution of the Debentures in connection with the Liquidation of the Trust
by the Debenture Issuer shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital
Treatment Event unless such Liquidation shall have occurred in connection with
a Tax Event.
(d) Investment Company Event means the receipt by the
Institutional Trustee of an opinion of counsel rendered by a law firm having a
nationally recognized securities 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 (Change in 1940 Act Law), the Trust
is or will be considered an investment company which is required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law
becomes effective or is announced, enacted or promulgated on or after the date
of the Offering Memorandum.
(e) Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in
whole or in part of the Debenture (other than following the distribution of the
Debenture to the Holders of the Trust Securities), the proceeds from such
repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem Pro Rata at the
applicable Redemption Price, Trust Securities having an aggregate liquidation
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debenture so repaid or
redeemed; provided, however, that holders of such Trust Securities shall be
given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption (other
than at the scheduled maturity of the Debenture).
(f) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so
redeemed, the Common Securities and the Capital Securities will be redeemed Pro
Rata and the Capital Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section
4(h)(ii) below.
(g) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding
Capital Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid
on all Capital Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on
or before the date of redemption.
(h) Redemption or Distribution Procedures.
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(i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of
distribution of the Debentures in exchange for, the Securities
(a Redemption/Distribution Notice) will be given by the Trust
by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or
exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the
date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the
case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of
the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of
redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given
pursuant to this Section 4(h)(i), a Redemption/ Distribution
Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is
first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders
of such Securities. Each Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall
be addressed to the Holders of such Securities at the address
of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the
Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in
the mailing thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the
validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect
to any other Holder.
(ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding
Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed
shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Capital
Securities; provided, however, that, in respect of the Capital
Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the
Depositary or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or
its nominee), the Capital Securities shall be redeemed Pro Rata
in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, and the
distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to
each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf
such nominee holds such Securities) in accordance with the
procedures applied by such Clearing Agency or nominee.
(iii) If the Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust
gives a Redemption/ Distribution Notice, which notice may only
be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this
Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A) with
respect to the Capital Securities, while the Capital Securities
are in book-entry only form, provided that the Institutional
Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the
related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the
Institutional Trustee will deposit irrevocably with the
Depositary or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its
nominee), by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption
date, funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price
with respect to the Capital Securities and will give the
Depositary irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the Holders of the Capital Securities, and
(B) with respect to Capital Securities issued in definitive
form and Common Securities, provided that the Institutional
Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the
related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the
Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price to
the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address
of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the
Trust on
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the redemption date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall
have been given and funds deposited as required then
immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such
deposit Distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so
called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such
Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the
right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the
applicable Redemption Price specified in Section 4(a), but
without interest on such Redemption Price. If any date fixed
for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then
payment of any such redemption price payable on such date will
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 falls in the next
calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and
effect as if made on such date fixed for redemption. If
payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is
improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust
or by the Debenture Issuer as guarantor pursuant to the
relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities
will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate from the
original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in
which case the actual payment date will be considered the date
fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption
Price. In the event of any redemption of the Capital
Securities issued by the Trust in part, the Trust shall not be
required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any
Security during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before any selection for redemption of the Capital
Securities and ending at the close of business on the earliest
date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to
have been given to all Holders of the Capital Securities to be
so redeemed or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any
Capital Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in
part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Capital
Securities being redeemed in part.
(iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by
the Administrators on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of
the Capital Securities, the Depositary or its nominee (or any
successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the Global Capital
Securities have been issued or, if Definitive Capital
Securities have been issued, to the Holders thereof, and (B) in
respect of the Common Securities, to the Holder thereof.
(v) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law
(including, without limitation, United States federal
securities laws), provided that the acquiror is not the Holder
of the Common Securities or the obligor under the Indenture,
the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from
time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender,
in the open market or by private agreement.
5. Voting Rights - Capital Securities
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(a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as
otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital
Securities will have no voting rights. The Administrators are required to call
a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities if directed to do so by
Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.
(b) Subject to the requirements of obtaining a tax opinion by
the Institutional Trustee in certain circumstances set forth in the last
sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, have the right to direct
the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the
right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i)
exercise the remedies available under the Indenture as the holder of the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture,
or (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 on
behalf of all the Holders of the Capital Securities to any amendment,
modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such
consent shall be required, provided, however, that, where a consent or action
under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the holders of greater
than a simple majority in principal amount of Debentures (a Super Majority)
affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take
such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion
in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities outstanding which the relevant
Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
outstanding. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Debentures after the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of such
Capital Securities have so directed the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, a Holder of the Capital Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to enforce the
Institutional Trustees rights under the Debentures without first instituting
any legal proceeding against the Institutional 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 Debenture
Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date the interest
or principal is payable (or in the case of redemption, the redemption date),
then a Holder of record of the Capital Securities may directly institute a
proceeding for enforcement of payment, on or after the respective due dates
specified in the Debentures, to such Holder directly of the principal of or
interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder. The
Institutional Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any
default actually known to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the
Debentures unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such
notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Capital
Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of principal of or
interest on any of the Debentures. Such notice shall state that such Indenture
Event of Default also constitutes an Event of Default hereunder. Except with
respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for
a remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the
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Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect
that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other
than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder
of the Debentures, is required under the Indenture with respect to any
amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Institutional
Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the Securities with
respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with
respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would
require the consent of a Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only
give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in
liquidation amount of such Trust Securities outstanding which the relevant
Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not take any such action in
accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities unless the
Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect
that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other
than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of
the corresponding Event of Default hereunder. Any required approval or
direction of Holders of the Capital Securities may be given at a separate
meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a
meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to
written consent. The Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting
at which Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to
be mailed to each Holder of record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice
will include a statement setting forth the following information: (i) the date
of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a
description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which
such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent
is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No
vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be required for
the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute the
Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.
Notwithstanding that Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled
to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor shall not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for
purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such Capital Securities were
not outstanding.
In no event will Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to
vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are
vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the Common Securities
of the Trust. Under certain
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circumstances as more fully described in the Declaration, Holders of Capital
Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the
Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.
6. Voting Rights - Common Securities
(a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as
otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Common Securities will have
no voting rights.
(b) The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in
accordance with Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or
replace any Administrators.
(c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after
each Event of Default (if any) with respect to the Capital Securities has been
cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the
second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may
direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i)
directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past
default and its consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii)
exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all
the Debentures shall be due and payable, provided, however, that, where a
consent or action under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the
Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the
written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of
the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding
this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action
previously authorized or approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the
Capital Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the
Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i), (ii) or (iii)
above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel
to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the
Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such
action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Declaration to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Holder of the Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to
enforce the Institutional Trustees rights under the Declaration, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other
Person.
Any approval or direction of Holders of the Common Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Common Securities convened for
such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust
or pursuant to written consent.
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The Administrators will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the
Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by
written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of
the Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth
(i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken,
(ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on
which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written
consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or
consents.
No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the
Securities.
7. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture
(a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the
Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely
affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by
way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the Liquidation of
the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 of the Declaration, then the
Holders of outstanding Securities, voting together as a single class, will 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 Securities, affected thereby; provided,
however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would
adversely affect only the Capital Securities or only the Common Securities,
then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or
proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the
approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.
(b) In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as
the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Debentures,
the Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of
the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and
shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as
directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together
as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture
would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such
consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in
liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or
modification may be made to a Declaration if such amendment or modification
would (i) cause the Trust to be classified for purposes of United States
federal income taxation as other than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise
adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee or (iii) cause
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<PAGE> 94
the Trust to be deemed an investment company which is required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the
right of any Holder of the Capital Securities to receive payment of
distributions and other payments upon redemption or otherwise, on or after
their respective due dates, or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or
affected without the consent of such Holder. For the protection and
enforcement of the foregoing provision, each and every Holder of the Capital
Securities shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or
equity.
8. Pro Rata
A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being Pro Rata shall mean pro rata to each Holder
of the Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation
amount of all Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to
make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities
Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation
amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of
all amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of
the Common Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of
the Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate
liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.
9. Ranking
The Capital Securities rank pari passu with and payment thereon
shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common
Securities to receive payment of Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the
Capital Securities with the result that no payment of any Distribution on, or
Redemption Price of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of
redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be
made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions
on all outstanding Capital 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 Capital Securities then
called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds
immediately available to the Institutional Trustee shall first be applied to
the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the Redemption Price
of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.
10. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture
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Each Holder of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities,
by the acceptance of such Securities, agrees to the provisions of the Capital
Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively,
including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the
Indenture.
11. No Preemptive Rights
The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or
similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.
12. Miscellaneous
These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor
will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Capital Securities Guarantee or the
Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to a
Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place
of business.
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EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[Include the following Restricted Securities Legend on all Capital
Securities, including Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and Restricted
Definitive Capital Securities, unless otherwise determined by the Sponsor in
accordance with applicable law ----THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION
HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY PRIOR TO THE DATE
WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE
LAST DATE ON WHICH NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION (THE COMPANY) OR NATIONAL
COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I (THE TRUST) OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY OR THE
TRUST WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) (THE
RESALE RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION DATE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST, (B)
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C)
FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (RULE 144A), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM
NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D)
TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)
(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE
SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR
OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S AND
THE TRUSTS RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES
(D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION
AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
DECLARATION
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<PAGE> 97
OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST. THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS. SECURITIES OWNED BY A PURCHASER THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER MAY NOT BE HELD IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE
REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS TERMINATION
DATE.]
[Include if Capital Security is in the form of a Restricted
Definitive Capital Security -- IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL
DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATE AND OTHER
INFORMATION MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DECLARATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER
COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.]
[Include if Capital Security is in global form and The Depository
Trust Company is the Clearing Agency -- UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK
CORPORATION (DTC), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR 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 OF TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.]
[Include if Capital Security is in global form -- TRANSFERS OF THIS
GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO
NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE AND
TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS
MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION REFERRED
TO BELOW.]
[THIS SECURITY MAY BE DEEMED TO BE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE TRUST FOR
PURPOSES OF APPLYING ERISA AND SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT
BE PURCHASED OR HELD BY ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OR OTHER PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME
SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (ERISA), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE CODE) (EACH, A PLAN), ANY ENTITY WHOSE
UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS BY REASON OF ANY PLANS INVESTMENT IN THE
ENTITY (A PLAN ASSET ENTITY) OR ANY PERSON INVESTING PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER PTCE 96-
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<PAGE> 98
23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION. IF A
PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY THAT IS A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSET ENTITY
ELECTS TO RELY ON AN EXEMPTION OTHER THAN PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR
84-14, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST MAY REQUIRE A SATISFACTORY OPINION OF COUNSEL
OR OTHER EVIDENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH EXEMPTION FOR SUCH
PURCHASE AND HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST
THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF
THAT EITHER (A) IT IS NOT A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSETS ENTITY AND IS NOT PURCHASING
SUCH SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN OR (B)(I) IT IS
ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR
HOLDING AND (II) THE COMPANY AND THE ADMINISTRATORS ARE NOT FIDUCIARIES, WITHIN
THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(21) OF ERISA AND THE REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, WITH
RESPECT TO ITS INTEREST IN THIS SECURITY.]
Certificate Number Number of Capital Securities
CUSIP NO ___________
Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities
of
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
Floating Rate Capital Pass-through Securities(SM) (TRUPS(SM))
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I, 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 securities of the
Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust,
designated the Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities(SM)
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the Capital Securities).
Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the Capital 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. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions,
preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities
represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all respects be subject
to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the
Trust dated as of March 27, 1997, among Lon M. Magness, Susan F. Warner and
Walter H.
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<PAGE> 99
Bynum, as Administrators, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee,
The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, National Commerce
Bancorporation, as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including the designation of
the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration,
as the same may be amended from time to time (the Declaration). Capitalized
terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the
Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Capital Securities
Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of
the Declaration, the Capital Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities
Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to the Holder without
charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.
Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for
United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and
the Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.
This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of
conflict of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
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<PAGE> 100
This is one of the Capital Securities referred to in the
within-mentioned Declaration.
Dated:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as the
Institutional Trustee
By:
Authorized Signatory
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at a
variable annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98% (the Coupon Rate) of the stated
liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in
arrears for more than a quarterly period will bear interest thereon compounded
quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The
term Distributions as used herein includes cash distributions and any such
compounded interest payable on the Debentures unless otherwise stated. A
Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of
the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the
Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
Distribution period on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year
of twelve 30-day months.
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital
Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of January, April,
July and October of each year, commencing on July 1, 1997. The Debenture
Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period (each an Extension Period) at any time
and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to certain conditions,
although such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures at a variable
annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98%,
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<PAGE> 101
compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law during any Extension
Period. If such right is exercised, quarterly Distributions on the Capital
Securities will also be deferred (though such Distributions would continue to
accrue at the variable annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly to
the extent permitted by law) during any Extension Period. Such right to extend
any extension period is limited to Extension Periods, each not exceeding 20
consecutive quarterly periods, provided, however, that no Extension Period
shall be initiated while accrued interest from a prior, completed Extension
Period is unpaid or while the Debenture Issuer is in default in the payment of
interest that has become due and payable on the Debentures, and no Extension
Period may extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Prior to the
termination of any such Extension Period in respect of the Debentures, the
Debenture Issuer may further extend the interest payment period; provided that
each such Extension Period in respect of the Debentures, together with all such
previous and further extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive
quarterly periods or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. If
Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date
that the related Extension Period terminates, or, if such date is not a
Distribution Payment Date, on the immediately following Distribution Payment
Date, to Holders of the Capital Securities as they appear on the books and
records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date.
Distributions on the Capital Securities must be paid on the dates payable
(after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has
funds available for the payment of such Distributions in the Property Account
of the Trust. The Trusts funds available for distribution to the Holders of
the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer.
The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by
the Guarantor pursuant to the Capital Securities Guarantee.
The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
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<PAGE> 102
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this
Capital Security Certificate to:
(Insert assignees social security or tax identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints agent to
transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee:(3)
- ----------------------------------
(3) Signature must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union
meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include
membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program
(STAMP) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the
Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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<PAGE> 103
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[Include if Capital Security is in global form and The Depository
Trust Company is the Clearing Agency -- UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK
CORPORATION (DTC), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR 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 OF TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.]
[Include if Capital Security is in global form -- TRANSFERS OF THIS
GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO
NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE AND
TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS
MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION REFERRED
TO BELOW.]
Certificate Number Number of Capital Securities
CUSIP NO ___________
Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities
of
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
Floating Rate Capital Pass-through Securities(SM) (TRUPS(SM))
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I, 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 securities of the
Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust,
designated the Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-
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<PAGE> 104
through Securities(SM) (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the
Capital Securities). Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the
Capital 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. The designation, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Capital Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all
respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of the Trust dated as of March 27, 1997, among Lon M. Magness, Susan
F. Warner and Walter H. Bynum, as Administrators, The Bank of New York
(Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional
Trustee, National Commerce Bancorporation, as Sponsor, and the holders from
time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust,
including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth
in Annex I to the Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time
(the Declaration). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the
meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits
of the Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The
Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Capital Securities
Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate) and the
Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its
principal place of business.
Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for
United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and
the Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.
This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of
conflict of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.
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<PAGE> 105
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Capital Securities referred to in the
within-mentioned Declaration.
Dated:
-----------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as the
Institutional Trustee
By:
Authorized Signatory
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
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<PAGE> 106
Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at a
variable annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98% (the Coupon Rate) of the stated
liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in
arrears for more than a quarterly period will bear interest thereon compounded
quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The
term Distributions as used herein includes cash distributions and any such
compounded interest payable on the Debentures unless otherwise stated. A
Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of
the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the
Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed in a year of twelve 30-day months.
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital
Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of January, April,
July and October of each year, commencing on July 1, 1997. Distributions will
be made by the Institutional Trustee, except as otherwise described. The
Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of
interest by extending the interest payment period (each an Extension Period) at
any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to certain
conditions, although such interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures at
a variable annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly (to the extent
permitted by law) during any Extension Period. If such right is exercised,
quarterly Distributions on the Capital Securities will also be deferred (though
such Distributions would continue to accrue at the variable annual rate of
LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by law)) during
any Extension Period. Such right to extend any interest payment period is
limited to Extension Periods, each not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly
periods, provided, however, that no Extension Period may be initiated while
accrued interest from a prior, completed Extension Period is unpaid or while
the Debenture Issuer is in default in the payment of interest that has become
due and payable on the Debentures, and no Extension Period may extend beyond
the maturity of the Debentures. Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period in respect of the Debentures, the Debenture Issuer may further extend
the interest payment period; provided that each such Extension Period in
respect of the Debentures, together with all such previous and further
extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or extend
beyond the maturity of the Debentures. If Distributions are deferred, the
Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period
terminates, or, if such date is not a Distribution Payment Date, on the
immediately following Distribution Payment Date, to Holders of the Capital
Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record
date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Capital Securities
must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period)
to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trusts funds available
for distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments
received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of
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<PAGE> 107
moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Sponsor pursuant to the Capital
Securities Guarantee.
The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
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<PAGE> 108
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this
Capital Security Certificate to:
(Insert assignees social security or tax identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints agent to
transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee:(4)
- ----------------------------------
(4) Signature must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union
meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include
membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program
(STAMP) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the
Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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<PAGE> 109
EXHIBIT A-3
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION OR AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT.]
[THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED.]
Certificate Number Number of Common Securities
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I, a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Trust), hereby certifies
that National Commerce Bancorporation (the Holder) is the registered owner of
common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Trust (the Common Securities). The designation, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Common Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all
respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of the Trust dated as of March 27, 1997, among Lon M. Magness, Susan
F. Warner and Walter H. Bynum, as Administrators, The Bank of New York
(Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional
Trustee, National Commerce Bancorporation as Sponsor and the holders from time
to time of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust including
the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I
to the Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the
Declaration). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the
meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits
of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor
will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the
Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at
its principal place of business.
As set forth in the Declaration, where an Event of Default has
occurred and continuing, the rights of Holders of Common securities to payment
in respect of Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption or
otherwise are subordinated to the rights of payment of Holders of the Capital
Securities.
- 93 -
<PAGE> 110
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for
United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and
the Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
This Common Security is governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of
conflict of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate
this ___ day of March, 1997.
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
------------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
- 94 -
<PAGE> 111
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Common Security will be identical in
amount to the Distributions payable on each Capital Security, which is at a
variable annual rate of LIBOR plus 0.98% (the Coupon Rate) of the stated
liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in
arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest thereon
compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable
law). The term Distributions as used herein includes cash distributions and any
such compounded distribution payable on the Debentures unless otherwise stated.
A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect
of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the
Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
Distribution period on the actual number of days elapsed in a year of twelve
30-day months.
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common
Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of January, April,
July and October of each year, commencing on July 1, 1997. The Debenture
Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by
extending interest payment period (each an Extension Period) at any time and
from time to time on the Debentures, subject to certain conditions, although
such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures at a variable annual
rate of LIBOR plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law
during any Extension Period. If such right is exercised, quarterly
distributions on the Common Securities will also be deferred (though such
Distributions would continue to accrue at the variable annual rate of LIBOR
plus 0.98%, compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law) during any
Extension Period. Such right to extend any extension period is limited to
Extension Periods, each not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods,
provided, however, that no Extension Period shall be initiated while accrued
interest from a prior, completed Extension Period is unpaid or while the
Debenture Issuer is in default in the payment of interest that has become due
and payable on the Debentures; and no Extension Period shall extend beyond the
date of maturity of the Debentures. Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period in respect of the Debentures, the Debenture Issuer may further
extend the interest payment period; provided that each such Extension Period in
respect of the Debentures, together with all such previous and further
extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or extend
beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period of the Debentures and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture
Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date
that the related Extension Period terminates, or, if such date is not a
Distribution Payment Date, on the immediately following Distribution Payment
Date, to Holders of the Common Securities as they appear on the books and
records
- 95 -
<PAGE> 112
of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions
on the Common Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect
to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for
the payment of such Distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The
Trusts funds available for distribution to the Holders of the Common Securities
will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of
Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor
pursuant to the Common Securities Guarantee.
The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
- 96 -
<PAGE> 113
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this
Common Security Certificate to:
(Insert assignees social security or tax identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
______________________________________________________ agent to transfer this
Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may
substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security
Certificate)
Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this common Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee(5)
- ----------------------------------
(5) Signature must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union,
meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include
membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program
(STAMP) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the
Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
- 97 -
<PAGE> 114
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
TO BE EXECUTED BY IAIs
__________, 199__
National Commerce Bancorporation
National Commerce Capital Trust I
c/o National Commerce Bancorporation
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
M
Re: Purchase of $1,000 stated liquidation amount of Floating Rate
Capital Trust
M
Pass-through Securities (SM) (TruPS) (SM) (the Capital Securities) of
National
M
Commerce Capital Trust I (the Trust)
M
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our purchase of the Capital Securities we confirm that:
1. We understand that the Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through
Securities(SM) (the Capital Securities) (including the guarantees (the
Guarantees) of National Commerce Bancorporation (National Commerce) executed in
connection therewith) and the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures due 2027 (the Subordinated Debt Securities) of National
Commerce, the Capital Securities, the Guarantees, and Subordinated
- 98 -
<PAGE> 115
Debt Securities together being referred to herein as Offered Securities) have
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), and may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the
following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor
account for which we are purchasing the Offered Securities that, if, prior to
the date which is three years after the later of the date of original issue of
the Offered Securities and the last date on which National Commerce, the Trust
or any affiliate of National Commerce or the Trust was the owner of such
Offered Securities (the Resale Restriction Termination Date), we decide to
offer, sell or otherwise transfer any such Offered Securities, such offer, sale
or transfer will be made only (a) to National Commerce or the Trust, (b)
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (c)
so long as the Offered Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a qualified
institutional buyer under Rule 144A (a QIB) that purchases for its own account
or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) to an institutional accredited
investor with the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501
under the Securities Act that is acquiring Offered Securities for its own
account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor for
investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection
with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, or (e)
pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements
of law that the disposition of our property or compliance with any applicable
state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply
subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other
transfer of the Offered Securities is proposed to be made pursuant to clause
(d) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor
shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this
letter to The Bank of New York as Transfer Agent, which shall provide as
applicable, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional
accredited investor within the meaning of subparagraph (a)1 (1), (2), (3) or
(7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act that is acquiring such Securities for
investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities
Act. We acknowledge on our behalf and on behalf of any investor account for
which we are purchasing Securities that the Trust and National Commerce reserve
the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer pursuant to clauses (d) or
(e) prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Securities to
require the delivery of any opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other
information satisfactory to the Trust and National Commerce. We understand
that the certificates for any Offered Security that we receive will bear a
legend substantially to the effect of the foregoing.
2. We are an institutional accredited investor with the meaning of
subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act
purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional
accredited investor, and we are acquiring the Offered Securities for the
investment purposes and not with view to, or for offer or sale in connection
with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and we have such
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of
evaluating the merits and risks
- 99 -
<PAGE> 116
of our investment in the Offered Securities, and we and any account for which
we are acting are each able to bear the economic risks of our or its
investment.
3. We are acquiring the Offered Securities purchased by us for our
own account (or for one or more accounts as to each of which we exercise sole
investment discretion and have authority to make, and do make, the statements
contained in this letter) and not with a view to any distribution of the
Offered Securities, subject, nevertheless, to the understanding that the
disposition of our property will at all times be and remain within our control.
4. In the event that we purchase any Capital Securities or any
Subordinated Debt Securities, we will acquire such Capital Securities having an
aggregate stated liquidation amount of not less than $100,000 or such
Subordinated Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount not less than
$100,000, for our own account and for each separate account for which we are
acting.
5. We acknowledge that we either (A) are not a fiduciary of a
pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) (a Plan), or an
entity whose assets include plan assets by reason of any Plans investment in
the entity and are not purchasing the Offered Securities on behalf of or with
plan assets by reason of any Plans investment in the entity and is not
purchasing the Offered Securities on behalf of or with plan assets of any Plan
or (B) are eligible for the exemptive relief available under one ore more of
the following prohibited transaction class exemptions (PTCEs) issued by the
U.S. Department of Labor: PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14.
6. We acknowledge that National Commerce and the Trust and others
will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing acknowledges,
representations, warranties and agreements and agrees that if any of the
acknowledgments, representations, warranties and agreements deemed to have been
made by our purchase of the Offered Securities are no longer accurate, we shall
promptly notify the Initial Purchasers. If we are acquiring any Offered
Securities as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, we
represent that we have sole discretion with respect to each such investor
account and that we have full power to make the foregoing acknowledgments,
representations and agreement on behalf of each such investor account.
- 100 -
<PAGE> 117
Very truly yours,
(Name of Purchaser)
By:
Date:
Upon transfer of the Offered Securities would be registered in the name of the
new beneficial owner as follows.
Name:
Address:
Taxpayer ID Number:
- 101 -
<PAGE> 118
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
TO BE EXECUTED FOR QIBs
__________, 199__
National Commerce Bancorporation
National Commerce Capital Trust I
c/o National Commerce Bancorporation
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
Purchase of $1,000 stated liquidation amount of Floating Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities (SM) (TRUPS) (SM) (the Capital Securities) of
National
Commerce Capital Trust I (the Trust)
Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Declaration dated as of
March 27, 1997 (the Declaration) among Lon M. Magness, Susan F. Warner and
Walter H. Bynum, as Administrators, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as
Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, National
Commerce Bancorporation, as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the
Declaration.
This letter relates to $50,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of Capital
Securities which are held in the name of [name of transferor] (the Transferor)
to effect the transfer of such Capital Securities in exchange for an equivalent
beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security.
In connection with such request, and in respect to such Capital Securities, the
transferor does hereby certify that such Capital Securities are being
transferred in accordance with (i) the
- 102 -
<PAGE> 119
transfer restrictions set forth in the Capital Securities and (ii) Rule 144A
under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Rule 144A), to a
transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Capital
Securities for its own account or an account with respect to which the
transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such
account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A, in
a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with
applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other
jurisdiction.
You are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to
produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any
administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the
matters covered hereby.
(Name of Transferor)
By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
- 103 -
<PAGE> 120
EXHIBIT D
SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE
- 104 -
<PAGE> 121
EXHIBIT E
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
- 105 -
<PAGE> 122
EXHIBIT F
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
- 106 -
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.4
================================================================================
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
National Commerce Capital Trust I
Dated as of March 27, 1997
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
- ----------------------
Section of Trust Indenture Section of Capital Securities
Act of 1939, as amended Guarantee Agreement
<S> <C>
310(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1(a)
310(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1(c)
310(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
311(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(a)
311(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(b)
311(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(a)
312(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(b)
312(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(c)
313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3
314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4
314(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
314(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5
314(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
314(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5
314(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
315(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(b)
315(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.7
315(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(c)
315(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(d)
316(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.4(a), 2.6
318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1(c)
</TABLE>
- -------------
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
i
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 2.7 Events of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SECTION 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Capital Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 Capital Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C> <C>
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 6.2 Ranking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 8.1 Exculpation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 8.2 Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 8.3 Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 9.2 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 9.3 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 9.4 Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 9.5 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 9.6 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Capital Securities Guarantee"),
dated as of ________, 1997, is executed and delivered by National Commerce
Bancorporation, a Tennessee corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New
York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for
the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital
Securities (as defined herein) of National Commerce Capital Trust I, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust (the "Declaration") dated as of March 27 1997 among the trustees named
therein of the Issuer, the administrators named therein of the Issuer, National
Commerce Bancorporation, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer issued
on March 27, 1997 securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of up to
$50,000,000, designated the Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through
Securities(SM) (the "Old Capital Securities");
WHEREAS, the Old Capital Securities were guaranteed by the
Guarantor to the extent and on the terms and conditions set forth in the
Guarantee Agreement dated as of March 27, 1997 (the "Old Guarantee") from the
Guarantor to the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Old
Capital Securities;
WHEREAS, the Guarantor has also executed and delivered a
guarantee agreement dated as of March 27, 1997 (the "Common Securities
Guarantee") in substantially identical terms to this Capital Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined
in the Declaration), except that if a Declaration Event of Default (as defined
herein) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common
Securities to receive payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are
subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities to receive
Guarantee Payments under this Capital Securities Guarantee.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (as
defined in the Declaration), the Trust has offered to exchange up to
$50,000,000 aggregated liquidation amount of Floating Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities(SM) (the "New Capital Securities" and, together with
the Old Capital Securities, the "Capital Securities"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
for a like liquidation amount of its outstanding Old Capital Securities (the
"Exchange Offer");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Guarantor and the
Guarantee Trustee wish to exchange the Old Guarantee for this Capital
Securities Guarantee, which is substantially the same as the Old Guarantee,
except that it has been registered under the Securities Act and qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act and which is for the benefit of the Holders of New
Capital Securities and Old Capital Securities not exchanged for New Capital
Securities; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to certain the Capital
Securities (which the Guarantor agrees will benefit it), the Guarantor desires
irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this
Capital Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Capital 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 foregoing premises,
the Guarantor executes and delivers this Capital Securities Guarantee for the
benefit of the Holders.
1
<PAGE> 6
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation
In this Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context
otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Capital Securities
Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective
meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Capital Securities
Guarantee has the same meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Capital Securities Guarantee" or
"this Capital Securities Guarantee" are to this Capital Securities
Guarantee, as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Capital Securities Guarantee to
Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Capital
Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;
(e) terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of
execution of this Capital Securities Guarantee or in the Trust
Indenture Act, as the case may be, have the same meanings when used in
this Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this
Capital Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires;
and
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
versa.
"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 Guarantee Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street,
Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286.
"Covered Person" means any Holder of Capital Securities.
"Debentures" means the junior subordinated debentures of
National Commerce Bancorporation designated the Floating Rate Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027, held by the Institutional
Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.
"Declaration Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as
defined in the Declaration.
"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or
distributions, without
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duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or
made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the
Declaration) which are required to be paid on such Capital Securities to the
extent the Issuer 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 Issuer shall have funds available
therefor, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption by the
Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the
distribution of Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities in exchange
therefor as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of
the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Capital
Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds
available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining
available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either
case, the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantees" means the Common Securities Guarantee and this
Capital Securities Guarantee, collectively.
"Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, a New York
banking corporation, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and
has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Capital Securities
Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and
records of the Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder,
"Holder" shall not include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee or any
Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Guarantee Trustee.
"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 March 27, 1997,
between the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, not in its individual capacity
but solely as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which
the Debentures are to be issued to the Institutional Trustee of the Issuer.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Guarantee Payments" herein.
"Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities"
means Holder(s) of outstanding Capital Securities, voting together as a class,
but separately from the holders of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the
aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to
the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Capital
Securities then outstanding.
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"Officer's Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer's
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Capital Securities Guarantee shall include:
(a) a statement by each officer signing the Officer's
Certificate that such officer has read the covenant or condition and
the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation undertaken by such officer in rendering
the Officer's 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
(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,
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in the definition
of " Guarantee Payments" herein.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee
Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee
including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Secretary, Assistant
Secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers
and also, 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.
"Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital
Securities.
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ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application
(a) This Capital Securities Guarantee is subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be
part of this Capital Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions;
(b) This Capital Securities Guarantee has been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act; and
(c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Capital
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties
imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act,
such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities
(a) The Guarantor shall provide the Guarantee Trustee (i)
within 14 days after each record date for payment of Distributions, a
list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of
the names and addresses of the Holders of the Capital Securities
("List of Holders") as of such record date, 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 given to the Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor, 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 14
days before such List of Holders is given to the Guarantee Trustee.
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 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Guarantee
Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as
are required by Section 313(a) 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 Sections 313(b),
313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantor will notify the
Guarantee Trustee if and when any Capital Securities are listed on any stock
exchange.
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SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such
documents, reports and information (if any) as are required by Section 314 of
the Trust Indenture Act 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, provided that such compliance
certificate shall be delivered on or before 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year of the Guarantor.
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 provided for in this
Capital 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) of the Trust Indenture
Act may be given in the form of an Officer's Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver
(a) An Event of Default under this Capital Securities
Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Guarantor to perform any of its
payment or other obligations hereunder.
(b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
Capital Securities may, voting or consenting as a class, on behalf of the
Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default and
its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to
exist, and shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Capital 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 Events 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 Capital 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, however, that 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 Capital 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 from the Guarantor or a Holder of the
Capital Securities (except in the case of a payment default), or a
Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee charged with the
administration of this Capital Securities Guarantee shall have
obtained actual
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knowledge, thereof.
SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests
The Indenture, the Debentures issued or to be issued
thereunder, the Declaration, the Trust Securities issued or to be issued
thereunder and the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities
Guarantee in connection therewith shall be deemed to be specifically described
in this Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the
proviso contained in Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee
(a) This Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the
Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital
Securities, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Capital
Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Capital
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, as
such, 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 Capital Securities Guarantee for
the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event
of Default and after curing all Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Capital Securities Guarantee, and no
implied covenants shall be read into this Capital 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 Capital 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 Capital 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:
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(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 Capital 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
Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this
Capital 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 of the opinions expressed
therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished
to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Capital Securities Guarantee;
but in the case of any such certificates or opinions
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 Capital 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 such Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee or 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 Capital
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 Capital Securities
Guarantee; and
(iv) no provision of this Capital 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 is not reasonably assured to it under
the terms of this Capital Securities Guarantee or indemnity,
reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against such
risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
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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 Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
sufficiently evidenced by an Officer's Certificate, unless
otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this
Capital 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 Officer's
Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be
promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel
of its selection, and the 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 Capital Securities Guarantee from any
court of competent jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in
it by this Capital 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, however, 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 Capital Securities Guarantee.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to
make any
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investigation into the facts or matters stated in any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper
or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder
either directly or by or through agents, 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.
(viii) Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or
its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital
Securities, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its
agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any
such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as
to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to
its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this
Capital Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be
conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee's or its
agent's taking such action.
(ix) Whenever in the administration of this Capital
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 Capital
Securities, (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 conclusively relying
on or acting in accordance with such instructions.
(x) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in
good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or
within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by
this Capital Securities Guarantee.
(b) No provision of this Capital 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.
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SECTION 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Capital Securities
Guarantee
The recitals contained in this Capital Securities 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
Capital Securities Guarantee, except that it has the authority to enter into
this Capital Securities Guarantee and that this Capital Securities Guarantee
has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Guarantee Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.
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 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 million
U.S. dollars ($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) The Guarantee Trustee may be removed with cause at any
time by the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Capital Securities. Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee
Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the
Holders. A resigning Guarantee Trustee shall appoint a successor by
(i) requesting from at least three Persons meeting the eligibility
requirements of Section 4.1 such Person's expenses and charges to
serve as the Guarantee Trustee and (ii) selecting the Person who
agrees to the lowest expenses and charges.
(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 an instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning
Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If a resigning Guarantee Trustee shall fail to appoint a
successor, or if the Guarantee Trustee shall be removed or become
incapable of acting as Guarantee Trustee, or if any vacancy shall
occur in the office of the Guarantee Trustee for any cause, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities then outstanding shall promptly appoint a Successor
Guarantee Trustee. If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been
so appointed by the Holders or such appointment shall not have been
accepted by the Successor Guarantee Trustee within 60 days after
delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, any Holder, on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the 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 Capital 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
amounts owing to the Guarantee Trustee under Sections 8.2 and 8.3
accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.
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ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 Capital Securities Guarantee
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in
full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts
theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of
any defense (except a defense of payment by the Issuer), right of set-off or
counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. Such Guarantee Payments shall
rank pari passu with any payments made in respect of the Common Securities;
provided, however, if a Declaration Event of Default resulting from an
Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments are subordinated
to the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities to receive any payments
under this Capital Securities Guarantee. Such obligations will not be
discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full. 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 Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this
Capital 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 Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor,
protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all
other notices and demands.
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the
Guarantor under this Capital 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 Issuer of any express or
implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital
Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of
all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital
Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other
obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital
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);
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(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 Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the
Issuer 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 Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the
Capital Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed
hereby or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor
(other than payment of the underlying obligation), 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) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
Trustee in respect of this Capital Securities Guarantee or to direct
the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee
Trustee under this Capital Securities Guarantee; provided, however,
that (subject to Section 3.1) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the
right to decline to follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee
shall determine that the actions so directed would be unjustly
prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction or if the
Guarantee Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action
or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the
Guarantee Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees,
executive committees or a trust committee of directors or trustees
and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or
proceeding so directed would involve the Guarantee Trustee in personal
liability.
(b) Any Holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee
Trustee's rights under this Capital Securities Guarantee, without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee
Trustee or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy
to require that any such action be brought first against the Issuer,
the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person before so proceeding
directly against the Guarantor.
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<PAGE> 19
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment
This Capital Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of
payment and not of collection.
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of
the Holders of Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts
paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Capital 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 Capital
Securities Guarantee, if, after giving effect to any such payment, any amounts
are due and unpaid under this Capital 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 promptly to the Holders.
SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Capital
Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to
in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
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<PAGE> 20
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions
So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (i)
the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its Guarantee Payments or
other obligations hereunder, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing
an Event of Default or a Declaration Event of Default or (iii) the Guarantor
shall have selected an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration and such
period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then (a) the Guarantor
shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect
to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
the Guarantor's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock (other
than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of the Guarantor's capital stock
or rights to acquire such capital stock in connection with the satisfaction by
the Guarantor of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a
result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or rights to
acquire such capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series
of the Guarantor's capital stock or rights to acquire such capital stock for
another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or rights to acquire
any such stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the
Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) dividends
and distributions made on the Guarantor's capital stock or rights to acquire
such capital stock with the Guarantor's capital stock or rights to acquire such
capital stock, or (v) any declaration of a 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), or make any guarantee payments (other than payments under
this Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee) with
respect to the foregoing and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of
interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to
the Debentures.
SECTION 6.2 Ranking
This Capital Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the
Indenture) of the Guarantor. By their acceptance thereof, each Holder of
Capital Securities agrees to the foregoing provisions of this Capital
Securities Guarantee and the other terms set forth herein. The obligations of
the Guarantor hereunder do not constitute Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor.
The right of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution
of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that
subsidiary, except to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a
creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Guarantor's obligations under
this Capital Securities Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all
existing and future
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<PAGE> 21
liabilities of the Guarantor's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to
the assets of the Guarantor for payments thereunder. This Capital Securities
Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or
unsecured debt of the Guarantor, including Senior Indebtedness of the
Guarantor, under any indenture that the Guarantor may enter into in the future
or otherwise.
If a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities of the Issuer to
receive payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the
rights of Holders of Capital Securities to receive Guarantee Payments.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Capital Securities
Guarantee shall rank pari passu with any similar guarantee agreements issued by
the Guarantor on behalf of the holders of preferred securities or capital
securities, in each case ranking pari passu with the Capital Securities, issued
by the Trust and with any other security, guarantee or other obligation that is
expressly stated to rank pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor under
this Capital Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 Termination
This Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate as to the
Capital Securities (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital
Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all
of the Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Declaration upon dissolution of the Issuer. This Capital
Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as
the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore
payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or under this Capital
Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE VIII
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 Capital 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
Capital 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, willful misconduct or
bad faith with respect to such acts or omissions.
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<PAGE> 22
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying
in good faith upon the records of the Issuer or the Guarantor and upon
such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the
Issuer or 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, if selected by such Indemnified Person,
has been selected with reasonable care by such Indemnified Person,
including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of any assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other
facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which
Distributions to Holders of Capital 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 and all loss,
liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Indemnified Person, arising out of
or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Capital
Securities Guarantee, including the reasonable costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) of the Indemnified Person defending itself
against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance
of any of the Indemnified Person's powers or duties hereunder. The obligation
to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the resignation or
removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Capital Securities
Guarantee. The Guarantee Trustee will not claim or exact any lien or charge on
any Guarantee Payments as a result of any amount due to it under this Capital
Securities Guarantee.
SECTION 8.3 Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses
The Guarantor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder; and
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to
reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses,
disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in accordance with any
provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee (including the reasonable
compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel),
except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its
negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.
The provisions of this Section 8.3 shall survive the
resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this
Capital Securities Guarantee.
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<PAGE> 23
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Capital
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 Capital Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with
any merger or consolidation of the Guarantor with or into another entity or any
sale, transfer or lease of the Guarantor's assets to another entity, in each
case, to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign
its rights or delegate its obligations under this Capital Securities Guarantee
without the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities.
SECTION 9.2 Amendments
Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely
affect the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect
(in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Capital Securities
Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the Holders of not
less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities. The
provisions of the Declaration with respect to amendments thereof apply to the
giving of such approval.
SECTION 9.3 Notices
All notices provided for in this Capital Securities Guarantee
shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:
(a) If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee
Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital
Securities):
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
Floor 21 West
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Timothy Shea
Telecopy: (212) 815-5915
(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 Capital Securities and to the
Guarantee Trustee):
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<PAGE> 24
National Commerce Bancorporation
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
Attention: Gary Lazarini
Telecopy: (901) 523-3704
(c) If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at the
address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when
received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class
mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused
delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice
was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered
on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 9.4 Benefit
This Capital Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of
the Holders of the Capital Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not
separately transferable from the Capital Securities.
SECTION 9.5 Governing Law
THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 9.6 Counterparts
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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<PAGE> 25
THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day
and year first above written.
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION,
as Guarantor
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Guarantee Trustee
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
21
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.5
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
$50,000,000 FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES(SM) (TRUPS(SM))
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED AS TO DISTRIBUTIONS
AND OTHER PAYMENTS BY
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
New York, New York
March 27, 1997
Salomon Brothers Inc
As Representative of the several Initial Purchasers
Seven World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Dear Sirs:
National Commerce Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a statutory
business trust formed under the laws of the state of Delaware by National
Commerce Bancorporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the
Initial Purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") named in the Purchase Agreement
of even date herewith (the "Purchase Agreement"), for whom you are acting as
representative (the "Representative"), the Floating Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities (the "Capital Securities") of the Trust. The issuance
and sale of the Capital Securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement is
referred to herein as the "Initial Placement." The Capital Securities,
together with the guarantee of the Company with respect thereto (the
"Guarantee") and the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due 2027 of the Company (the "Subordinated Debt Securities"), are
collectively referred to herein as the "Registrable Securities." As an
inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and
in satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers
thereunder, the Company and the Trust agree with you, (i) for your benefit and
the benefit of the other Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the
holders from time to time of the Registrable Securities and the Exchange
Securities (as defined below), including the Initial Purchasers (each of the
foregoing a "Holder" and together the "Holders"), as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase
Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms
shall have the following meanings:
<PAGE> 2
"Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person
which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such specified person. For purposes of this definition,
control of a person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such person whether by contract or
otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
"Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
"DTC" means the Depository Trust Company.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder.
"Exchange Offer Prospectus" means the Prospectus contained in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time.
"Exchange Offer Registration Period" means the one-year period
following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, exclusive of any
period during which any stop order shall be in effect suspending the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, or the Company
otherwise fails to maintain continuous effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" means a registration
statement of the Company and the Trust on an appropriate form under the
Securities Act with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer, all amendments
and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective
amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Exchange Securities" means the securities of the Company and
the Trust issued pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in the same aggregate
principal amount or in the same number or liquidation amount, as the case may
be, and containing terms that are identical in all material respects to the
terms of the Registrable Securities except (i) the Exchange Securities shall
have been registered for sale under the Securities Act to Holders and (ii) the
interest rate step-up provisions and the transfer restrictions under the
Securities Act in the Registrable Securities will be modified or eliminated, as
appropriate, in the Exchange Securities.
"Exchanging Dealer" means any Holder (which may include the
Initial Purchasers) which is a broker-dealer electing to exchange Registrable
Securities, acquired for its own account as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, for
2
<PAGE> 3
Exchange Securities.
"Final Offering Memorandum" means the final Offering
Memorandum issued in connection with the Initial Placement and dated as of
March 20, 1997 relating to the Registrable Securities.
"Guarantee" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
"Holder" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
"Initial Placement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
"Initial Purchasers" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
"Interest Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section
3(c) hereof.
"Letter of Transmittal" has the meaning set forth in Section
2(c)(i) hereof.
"Managing Underwriters" means the investment banker or
investment bankers and manager or managers that shall administer an
underwritten offering.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in any Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses
information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms
of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange
Securities, covered by such Registration Statement, and all amendments and
supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments.
"Purchase Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
"Registered Exchange Offer" means the offer to the Holders to
issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Registrable Securities,
a like principal amount, stated liquidation amount or number, as the case may
be, of the Exchange Securities.
"Registrable Securities" has the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.
"Registration Statement" means any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement that covers any of the Registrable
Securities or the Exchange Securities pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference
therein.
"Representative" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
3
<PAGE> 4
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
"Shelf Registration" means a registration effected pursuant to
Section 3 hereof.
"Shelf Registration Period" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company and the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 3
hereof which covers some or all of the Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities, as applicable, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the
Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference
therein.
"Special Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(c)
hereof.
"Subordinated Debt Securities" has the meaning set forth in
the preamble hereto.
"Trust" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
"underwriter" means any underwriter of Registrable Securities
or Exchange Securities in connection with an offering thereof under a Shelf
Registration Statement.
2. Registered Exchange Offer; Resales of Exchange Securities
by Exchanging Dealers; Private Exchange. (a) Except as otherwise provided
herein, the Company and the Trust shall prepare and, not later than 150 days
following the Closing Date, shall file with the Commission the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer. The
Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within
180 days of the Closing Date. The Company and the Trust shall use their best
efforts to consummate the Registered Exchange Offer within 210 days of the
Closing Date.
(b) Upon the date the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
is declared effective, the Company and the Trust shall promptly commence the
Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange
Offer to enable each Holder electing to exchange Registrable Securities for
Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange
Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and has no
arrangements with any person to participate in a public distribution (within
the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities) to trade such
Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or
restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under
the securities laws of a substantial proportion of the several states of the
United States.
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<PAGE> 5
(c) In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the
Company and the Trust shall:
(i) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus
forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
together with an appropriate letter of transmittal (the
"Letter of Transmittal") and related documents;
(ii) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not
less than 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law)
after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders;
(iii) utilize the services of a depositary for the
Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York; and
(iv) comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws.
(d) As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered
Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust shall:
(i) accept for exchange and cancel all Registrable
Securities tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer;
(ii) issue Exchange Securities to each Holder in a
principal amount, stated liquidation amount or number, as the
case may be, equal to the Registrable Securities accepted for
exchange and canceled pursuant to the Registered Exchange
Offer; and
(iii) issue Exchange Securities to each Initial
Purchaser at its request in exchange for Registrable
Securities acquired by it as part of the Initial Placement
containing terms that are identical to the Exchange Securities
issued to Holders in the Registered Exchange Offer (except
that such Exchange Securities may contain the transfer
restrictions contained in the Registrable Securities for which
they are exchanged) and use reasonable best effort to cause
the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP number for
such Exchange Securities as is issued for the Exchange
Securities issued in the Registered Exchange Offer.
(e) The Company, the Trust and the Initial Purchasers on
behalf of the Holders hereby acknowledge that, in order to effect a Registered
Exchange Offer and to comply with clause (d)(iii) above, (i) the Company will
be required to issue new subordinated debt securities to the Trust in exchange
for a like principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities and (ii) the Trust
will be required to issue new capital securities in exchange for a like amount
of stated liquidation amount of Capital Securities. The parties hereto
acknowledge that the Guarantee by its express terms covers the Exchange
Securities corresponding to the
5
<PAGE> 6
Capital Securities as well as such Capital Securities. The parties hereto
further acknowledge that the new subordinated debt securities, capital
securities and guarantee issuable as described in this paragraph, which
collectively constitute the Exchange Securities, shall be identical in all
material respects to the securities they replace, except that (x) such Exchange
Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer shall be registered for sale
under the Securities Act to Holders and (y) the interest rate step-up
provisions and the transfer restrictions under the Securities Act in the
securities being replaced by the Exchange Securities will be modified and
eliminated, as appropriate, in the Exchange Securities.
(f) The Initial Purchasers, the Company and the Trust
acknowledge that, pursuant to current interpretations by the staff of the
Commission of Section 5 of the Securities Act, and in the absence of an
applicable exemption therefrom, each Exchanging Dealer may be deemed an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and, therefore, is
required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resales of any Exchange
Securities received by such Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the Registered
Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities acquired for its own
account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
Accordingly, the Company and the Trust shall:
(i) include the information set forth in (A) Annex A
hereto, on the cover of the Prospectus forming a part of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (B) Annex B hereto, in
the forepart of the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement in a section setting forth
details of the Exchange Offer, (C) Annex C hereto, in the
underwriting or plan of distribution section of the Prospectus
forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
and such other information with respect to resales of the
Exchange Securities by Exchanging Dealers that the Commission
may require in connection therewith, and (D) Annex D hereto,
in the Letter of Transmittal delivered pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer; and
(ii) use their best efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective under the
Securities Act during the Exchange Offer Registration Period
for delivery by Exchanging Dealers in connection with sales of
Exchange Securities received pursuant to the Registered
Exchange Offer, as contemplated by Section 4(i) hereof.
3. Shelf Registration. (i) If, because of any change in law
or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission, the
Company and the Trust determine upon the advice of their outside counsel that
they are not permitted to effect the Registered Exchange Offer as contemplated
by Section 2 hereof, (ii) if for any other reason the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission within 180
days of the Closing Date, (iii) if any Initial Purchaser so requests with
respect to Registrable Securities held by it following consummation of the
Registered Exchange Offer that are not "freely tradable" Exchange Securities,
(iv) if the Company has received an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm
having a nationally recognized tax practice, to the effect that there is a more
than insubstantial risk that consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer
would (x)
6
<PAGE> 7
subject the Trust to United States federal income tax with respect to income
received or accrued on the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Exchange
Securities to be issued in exchange therefor or (y) result in interest payable
by the Company on such Subordinated Debt Securities or the Exchange Securities
to be issued in exchange therefor not being deductible by the Company, in whole
or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (v) if any Holder
that is a broker-dealer, is not an affiliate of the Company or the Trust and is
not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer so requests with
respect to Registrable Securities held by it following the consummation of the
Registered Exchange Offer that are not "freely tradable" Exchange Securities
(it being understood that, for purposes of this Section 3, (x) the requirement
that an Initial Purchaser deliver a Prospectus containing the information
required by Items 507 and/or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act in
connection with sales of Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for such
Registrable Securities shall result in such Exchange Securities being not
"freely tradable" but (y) the requirement that an Exchanging Dealer deliver a
Prospectus in connection with sales of Exchange Securities acquired in the
Registered Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities shall not result
in such Exchange Securities being not "freely tradable"), the following
provisions shall apply:
(a) The Company and the Trust shall, as promptly as
practicable, file with the Commission the Shelf Registration Statement covering
resales of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as
applicable, by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of
distribution elected by such Holders and set forth in such Shelf Registration
Statement, and use their best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement
to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the 210th day after the
Closing Date (or promptly in the event of a request by an Initial Purchaser);
provided that with respect to Exchange Securities received by an Initial
Purchaser in exchange for Registrable Securities constituting any portion of an
unsold allotment, the Company and the Trust may, if permitted by current
interpretations by the Commission's staff, file a post-effective amendment to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement containing the information required
by Regulation S-K Items 507 and/or 508, as applicable, in satisfaction of their
obligations under this paragraph (a) with respect thereto, and any such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as so amended, shall be referred to
herein as, and governed by the provisions herein applicable to, a Shelf
Registration Statement; and provided further, that with respect to a Shelf
Registration Statement required pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding
paragraph, the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer shall relieve the
Company and the Trust of their obligations under this Section 3(a) but only in
respect of their obligations under such clause (ii).
(b) The Company and the Trust shall each use its best efforts
to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to
permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period
of three years from the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared
effective by the Commission, or such shorter period that will terminate upon
the earlier of the following: (A) when all the Registrable Securities or
Exchange Securities, as applicable, covered by such Shelf Registration
Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, (B) when
all the Subordinated Debt
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<PAGE> 8
Securities or the Exchange Securities relating to such Subordinated Debt
Securities or the Exchange Securities relating to such Subordinated Debt
Securities issued to Holders in respect of Capital Securities or Exchange
Securities that had not been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement
have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, or (C) when in the
written opinion of counsel to the Company and the Trust, all outstanding
Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities held by persons that are not
affiliates of the Company or the Trust may be resold without registration under
the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any
successor provision. Furthermore, the Company and the Trust shall each use its
reasonable best efforts, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement and promptly upon the request of any Holder, to take any action
reasonably necessary to register the sale of any Registrable Securities or
Exchange Securities of such Holder and compliance by such Holder with the terms
hereof and to identify such Holder as a selling securityholder, provided that
such Holder provides the Company with all information reasonably necessary to
effect such registration. The Company and the Trust shall be deemed not to
have used their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement effective during the requisite period if either the Company or the
Trust voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of securities
covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such securities during that
period, unless (i) such action is required by applicable law, or (ii) such
action is taken by the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons
(not including avoidance of the Company's obligations hereunder), including the
acquisition or divestiture of assets, so long as the Company promptly
thereafter complies with the requirements of Section 4(l) hereof, if
applicable.
(c) Except as described below, in the event that either (a)
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the Commission on
or prior to the 150th day following the Closing Date, (b) the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 180th day
following the Closing Date or (c) the Exchange Offer is not consummated or a
Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is not
declared effective on or prior to the 210th day following the Closing Date,
interest will accrue (in addition to the stated interest on the Registrable
Securities) from and including the next day following each of (i) such 150-day
period in the case of clause (a) above, (ii) such 180-day period in the case of
clause (b) above, and (iii) such 210-day period in the case of clause (c)
above. In each case such additional interest (the "Special Payment") will be
payable in cash semiannually in arrears on the first day of January, April,
July and October (each an "Interest Payment Date"), at a rate per annum equal
to 0.25% of the principal amount or liquidation amount, as applicable, of the
Registrable Securities. The aggregate amount of Special Payment payable
pursuant to the above provisions will in no event exceed 0.25% per annum of the
principal amount or the liquidation amount, as applicable, of the Registrable
Securities.
(d) Upon (x) the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as described above, after the 150-day period described in clause (a)
of the preceding paragraph, (y) the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, as described above, after the 180-day period described
in clause (b) of the preceding paragraph, or (z) the consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement
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<PAGE> 9
after the 210-day period described in clause (c) of the preceding paragraph,
the Special Payment payable on the Registrable Securities from the date of such
filing, effectiveness or consummation, as the case may be, will cease to accrue
and all accrued and unpaid Special Payment as of the occurrence of (x), (y) or
(z) shall be paid to the holders of the Registrable Securities on the next
Interest Payment Date.
(e) In the event that a Shelf Registration Statement is
declared effective hereunder, if the Company or the Trust fails to keep such
Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for the period required
hereby, then from the next day following such time as the Shelf Registration
Statement is no longer effective until the earlier of (i) the date that the
Shelf Registration Statement is again deemed effective, (ii) the date that is
the third anniversary of the date of the original issuance of the Registrable
Securities or (iii) the date as of which all of the Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement are sold pursuant thereto or may be
sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
Special Payment shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the
principal amount or liquidation amount, as applicable, of the Registrable
Securities and shall be payable in cash, in arrears on each Interest Payment
Date; it being understood that after the Registered Exchange Offer has been
consummated, no Special Payment shall accrue in respect of Registrable
Securities, without prejudice to any other claim that any Holder may have for
any failure by the Company to obtain or maintain continuous effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
4. Registration Procedures. In connection with any Shelf
Registration Statement and, to the extent applicable, any Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The Company and the Trust shall furnish to the Initial
Purchasers, prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of any
Registration Statement, and each amendment thereto and each amendment or
supplement, if any, to the Prospectus included therein and shall use their
reasonable best efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with
the Commission, such comments as the Initial Purchasers reasonably may propose.
(b) The Company and the Trust shall ensure that (i) any
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming
part thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto (and each document
incorporated therein by reference) complies in all material respects with the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations
thereunder, (ii) any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not,
when it becomes effective, 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 and (iii) any Prospectus forming
part of any Registration Statement, and any amendment or supplement to such
Prospectus, does not as of the date thereof include an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
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<PAGE> 10
(c) (1) The Company and the Trust shall advise the Initial
Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of
securities covered thereby, and, if requested by the Initial Purchasers or any
such Holder, confirm such advice in writing:
(i) when the Registration Statement and any amendment
thereto has been filed with the Commission and when the
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
has become effective; and
(ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments
or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
included therein or for additional information.
(2) The Company and the Trust shall advise the Initial
Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of
securities covered thereby, and, in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, any Exchanging Dealer that has provided in writing to the Company a
telephone or facsimile number and address for notices, and, if requested by the
Initial Purchasers or any such Holder or Exchanging Dealer, confirm such advice
in writing of:
(i) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or
the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;
(ii) the receipt by the Company or the Trust of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of the securities included therein for sale in
any jurisdiction or the initiation or overtly threatening of
any proceeding for such purpose;
(iii) the happening of any event that requires the
making of any changes in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus so that, as of such date, the statements therein
are not misleading and do not omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading
(which advice shall be accompanied by an instruction to
suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes
have been made); and
(iv) the Company's or the Trust's determination that
a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would
be appropriate.
(d) The Company and the Trust shall use their reasonable best
efforts to prevent the issuance, and if issued to obtain the withdrawal, of any
order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement at the
earliest possible time.
(e) On or prior to the time that an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or
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<PAGE> 11
Shelf Registration Statement is first effective under the Securities Act, the
Company may, in its discretion, cause the Capital Securities or Exchange
Securities corresponding to such Capital Securities, respectively, to be duly
authorized for listing, subject in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to official notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange as a
fixed income security (or, if such listing is unavailable, as an equity
security) and thereafter shall maintain such listing; or, in the alternative,
the Company may, in its discretion, cause the Capital Securities or Exchange
Securities corresponding to such Capital Securities, respectively, to be freely
tradable to the same extent as if duly authorized for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange as described above.
(f) The Company and the Trust shall furnish to each Holder of
securities included within the coverage of any Shelf Registration Statement,
without charge, at least one copy of such Shelf Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules,
and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits filed therewith
(including those incorporated by reference).
(g) The Company and the Trust shall, during the Shelf
Registration Period, deliver to each Holder of securities included within the
coverage of any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of
the Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus) included in such Shelf
Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder
may reasonably request; and the Company and the Trust each consents to the use
of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders of securities in connection with the offering and sale of the
securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) The Company and the Trust shall furnish to each
Exchanging Dealer that so requests, without charge, at least one copy of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, any documents incorporated by
reference therein, and, if the Exchanging Dealer so requests in writing, all
exhibits filed therewith (including those incorporated by reference).
(i) The Company and the Trust shall, during the Exchange
Offer Registration Period, promptly deliver to each Exchanging Dealer, without
charge, as many copies of the final Prospectus included in such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such
Exchanging Dealer may reasonably request for delivery by such Exchanging Dealer
in connection with a sale of Exchange Securities received by it pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer; and the Company and the Trust each consent to the
use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any such
Exchanging Dealer, as aforesaid.
(j) Prior to the Registered Exchange Offer or any other
offering of securities pursuant to any Registration Statement, the Company and
the Trust shall register or qualify or cooperate with the Holders of securities
included therein and their respective counsel in connection with the
registration or qualification of such securities for offer and sale under the
securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any such Holders
reasonably request in
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<PAGE> 12
writing and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to
enable the offer and sale in such jurisdictions of the securities covered by
such Registration Statement; provided, however, that in no event shall the
Company or the Trust be required to qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any action which
would subject it to general service of process or to taxation in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(k) The Company and the Trust shall cooperate with the
Holders of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be,
to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery within the times required by
normal-way settlement of certificates representing securities to be sold
pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in
such denominations and registered in such names as Holders may reasonably
request prior to sales of securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(l) If (i) Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (ii) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Exchanging Dealer who seeks to sell Registrable
Securities or Exchange Securities during the Shelf Registration Period or the
Exchange Offer Registration Period, as the case may be, upon the occurrence of
any event contemplated by paragraph 4(c)(2)(iii) or 4(c)(2)(iv) hereof, the
Company and the Trust shall, as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with
the Commission, at the sole expense of the Company, a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold
thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Securities to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by an Exchanging Dealer, any such Prospectus 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,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(m) Not later than the effective date of any such
Registration Statement hereunder, the Company and the Trust shall provide a
CUSIP number for the Capital Securities or the Exchange Securities
corresponding to the Capital Securities, as the case may be, registered under
such Registration Statement. In the event of and at the time of any
distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities to Holders, the Company and
the Trust shall provide a CUSIP number for the Subordinated Debt Securities or
the Exchange Securities corresponding to the Subordinated Debt Securities and
provide the applicable trustee with certificates for such securities, in a form
eligible for deposit with DTC. The Company and the Trust shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same
CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case
may be, delivered pursuant to a Registration Statement as was originally issued
for the Registrable Securities.
(n) The Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to
comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission to the
extent and so long as they are
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<PAGE> 13
applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement and shall make generally
available to their security holders as soon as practicable after the effective
date of the applicable Registration Statement an earnings statement satisfying
the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.
(o) The Company and the Trust shall cause the indenture
relating to the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Capital Securities Guarantee
and the declaration of trust of the Trust pursuant to which the terms of the
Capital Securities are established, or any corresponding documents in respect
of the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act in a timely manner.
(p) The Company and the Trust shall, if requested, use their
reasonable best efforts promptly to incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to a Shelf Registration Statement, such information as
the Managing Underwriters reasonably agree should be included therein and shall
make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment as soon as practicable after they are notified of the matters to be
incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment.
(q) In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, the
Company and the Trust shall enter into such agreements (including an
underwriting agreement) and take all other appropriate actions, if any, in
order to facilitate the registration or the disposition of the Registrable
Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to be registered
thereunder.
(r) In connection therewith, if an underwriting agreement is
entered into, the Company and the Trust shall cause the same to contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set
forth in Section 6 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable
to the Managing Underwriters, if any), with respect to all parties to be
indemnified pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
(s) In the case of any underwritten offering under a Shelf
Registration Statement or at the request of an Initial Purchaser to the extent
that an Initial Purchaser has Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities
eligible for resale thereunder, the Company and the Trust shall (i) make
reasonably available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of a
majority of the securities to be registered thereunder, any Initial Purchaser
(if applicable) and any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant
to such Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent
retained by any such Holders, Initial Purchaser or underwriter all relevant
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the Company, its subsidiaries and the Trust; (ii) cause the Company's officers,
directors and employees and the trustees of the Trust to supply all relevant
information reasonably requested by the representative of the Holders, the
Initial Purchaser (if applicable) or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant
or agent in connection with any such Registration Statement as is customary for
similar due diligence examinations; provided, however, that any information
that is designated in writing by the Company and the Trust, in good faith, as
confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept
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<PAGE> 14
confidential by the Holders, the Initial Purchaser (if applicable) or any such
underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent, unless such disclosure is made in
connection with a court proceeding or required by law, or such information
becomes available to the public generally or through a third party without an
accompanying obligation of confidentiality; (iii) make such representations and
warranties to the Holders of securities registered thereunder, the Initial
Purchaser (if applicable) and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and
scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary
underwritten offerings and covering matters including, but not limited to,
those set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (iv) obtain opinions of counsel to
the Company and the Trust (who may be the general counsel of the Company) and
updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance)
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Underwriters, if any) in
customary form and scope addressed to each selling Holder, Initial Purchaser
(if applicable) and the underwriters, if any, covering such matters as are
customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such
other matters as may reasonably requested by such Holders, Initial Purchasers
(if applicable) and underwriters; (v) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and
if necessary, any other independent certified accountants of any subsidiary of
the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial
statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the
Registration Statement), addressed to each selling Holder of securities
registered thereunder, the Initial Purchaser (if applicable) and the
underwriters, if any, and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
"cold comfort" letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings; and
(vi) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by
any such Holders, the Initial Purchaser (if applicable) or the Managing
Underwriters, if any, including those to evidence compliance with Section 4(l)
hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company and the Trust. The
foregoing actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this
Section 4(s) shall be performed at (A) the effectiveness of such Registration
Statement and each post-effective amendment thereto and (B) each closing under
any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder.
5. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all
expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations under
Sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof and, in the event of any Shelf Registration
Statement, will reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements
of one firm of counsel designated by the majority of the Holders of the
Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, covered by
such Shelf Registration Statement to act as counsel for the Holders in
connection therewith.
6. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) In connection with
any Registration Statement, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Trust, each Holder of securities covered thereby (including each Initial
Purchaser and, with respect to any Prospectus delivery as contemplated in
Section 4(i) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer), the directors, officers,
employees and agents of each such Holder and each person who controls any such
Holder within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several,
to which they or any of
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<PAGE> 15
them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other
Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (including
all documents incorporated by referenced therein) as originally filed or in any
amendment thereof, or in any preliminary prospectus or Prospectus, or in any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees
to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however,
that the Company will not be liable in any case to the extent that any such
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of any such Holder specifically for inclusion
therein; and provided, further, that the Company will not be liable under the
provisions of this Section 6 with respect to the Prospectus to the extent that
any such loss, claim, damage or liability results from the fact that the
indemnified party sold securities covered by the Registration Statement to a
person to whom there was not sent or given, within the time required by the
Securities Act, a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if
the Company shall have furnished such amendments or supplements thereto to the
indemnified party in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 hereof) if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such loss, claim, damage or liability. This indemnity agreement will
be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.
The Company also agrees to indemnify or contribute to Losses,
as provided in Section 6(d) hereof, of any underwriters of Securities
registered under a Shelf Registration Statement, their officers and directors
and each person who controls such underwriters on substantially the same basis
as that of the indemnification of the Initial Purchasers and the selling
Holders provided in this Section 6(a) and shall, if requested by any Holder,
enter into an underwriting agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in
Section 4(q) hereof.
(b) Each Holder of securities covered by a Registration
Statement (including each Initial Purchaser and, with respect to any Prospectus
delivery as contemplated in Section 4(i) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer)
severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Trust, each of
their directors, trustees, administrators, officers and each person who
controls the Company or the Trust within the meaning of either the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the
Company to each such Holder, but only with reference to written information
relating to such Holder furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder
specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing
indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which
any such Holder may otherwise have.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 6 of
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<PAGE> 16
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement
thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not
relieve the indemnifying party from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above
unless and to the extent the indemnifying party did not otherwise learn of such
action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of
substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the
indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the
indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The
indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying
party's choice at the indemnifying party's expense to represent the indemnified
party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and
expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties
except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be
satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying
party's election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an
action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
(including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable
fees, costs and expenses of one such separate counsel (in addition to local
counsel) designated by the indemnified parties if (i) the use of counsel chosen
by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such
counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants
in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified
parties which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed
counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action
or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ
separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying
party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties,
settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to
any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action)
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release
of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action,
suit or proceeding.
(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a)
or (b) of this Section 6 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party, in
lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall have a joint and several
obligation to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively "Losses") to
which such indemnified party may be subject in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying
party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, from the
Initial Placement and the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses;
provided, however, that in no case shall any Initial Purchaser or any
subsequent Holder of any
16
<PAGE> 17
Registrable Security or Exchange Security be responsible, in the aggregate, for
any amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to such
security, or in the case of an Exchange Security, applicable to the Registrable
Security which was exchangeable into such Exchange Security, as set forth on
the cover page of the Final Offering Memorandum, nor shall any underwriter be
responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission
applicable to the securities purchased by such underwriter under the
Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. If the allocation
provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason,
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall contribute in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but
also the relative fault of such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such
indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal
to the sum of (x) the total net proceeds from the Initial Placement (before
deducting expenses) as set forth on the cover page of the Final Offering
Memorandum and (y) the total amount of additional interest which the Company
was not required to pay as a result of registering the securities covered by
the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Benefits received by
the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase
discounts and commissions as set forth on the cover page of the Final Offering
Memorandum, and benefits received by any other Holders shall be deemed to be
equal to the value of receiving Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities,
as applicable, registered under the Securities Act. Benefits received by any
underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and
commissions, as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus forming a part of
the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Relative fault shall
be determined by reference to whether any alleged untrue statement or omission
relates to information provided by the indemnifying party, on the one hand, or
by the indemnified party, on the other hand. The parties agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata
allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6, each person who controls a
Holder within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and
each director, officer, employee and agent of such Holder shall have the same
rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls the Company
and the Trust within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, each officer of the Company or trustee of the Trust who shall have signed
the Registration Statement and each director of the Company or trustee of the
Trust shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in
each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).
(e) The provisions of this Section 6 will remain in full
force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Holder, the Company or the Trust or any of the officers, directors or
controlling persons referred to in this Section 6, and will survive the sale by
a Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement.
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7. Miscellaneous. (a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The
Company and the Trust have not, as of the date hereof, entered into, nor shall
they, on or after the date hereof, enter into, any agreement with respect to
their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders
herein or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this
Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended,
qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Company and the Trust have
obtained the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in
liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding (or, after the
consummation of any Exchange Offer in accordance with Section 2 hereof, of
Exchange Securities then outstanding); provided that, with respect to any
matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser
hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial
Purchaser against which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or
consent is to be effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing (except the
foregoing proviso), a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof
with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders
whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that
does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given
by the majority of such affected Holders, determined on the basis of
securities being sold rather than registered under such Registration Statement.
(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery,
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the most current address
given by such Holder to the Company;
(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, initially at the
respective addresses set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and
(iii) if to the Company or the Trust, initially at
their addresses set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been duly given when received. The Initial Purchasers, the Company or the
Trust by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses
for subsequent notices or communications.
(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, including, without the need for an express assignment or any consent
by the Company or the Trust thereto, subsequent Holders of Registrable
Securities and/or Exchange Securities. The Company and the Trust hereby agree
to extend the benefits of this Agreement to any Holder of Registrable
Securities and/or Exchange Securities and any such Holder may specifically
enforce the provisions of this Agreement as if an original party hereto.
18
<PAGE> 19
(e) Counterparts. This agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(f) Headings. The headings in this agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(g) Governing Law. This agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed in said State.
(h) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances,
is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the
validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired
or affected thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of
the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(i) Securities Held by the Company, etc. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified number, or percentage of
principal amount or liquidation amount, as the case may be, of Registrable
Securities or Exchange Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities
or Exchange Securities, as applicable, held by the Company or its Affiliates
(other than subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities
if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be Affiliates solely by reason of
their holdings of such Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities) shall not
be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
Holders of such required percentage.
19
<PAGE> 20
Please confirm your agreement by having your authorized
officer sign a copy of this Registration Agreement in the space set forth below
and returning the signed copy to us.
Very truly yours,
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
By: NATIONAL COMMERCE
BANCORPORATION,
as Sponsor
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Accepted:
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Date: March ___, 1997
20
<PAGE> 21
ANNEX A
Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), as set forth in no-action letters
issued to third parties, the Company and the Trust believe that the Exchange
Securities issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer may be offered for
resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any
holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust as defined under Rule
405 of the Securities Act), provided that such Exchange Securities are acquired
in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders are not
engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of such Exchange
Securities and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Securities. However, the
staff of the Commission has not considered the Registered Exchange Offer in the
context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of
the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the
Registered Exchange Offer as in such other circumstances. By tendering the
Registrable Securities in exchange for Exchange Securities, each holder, other
than a broker-dealer, will represent to the Company and the Trust that: (i) it
is not an affiliate of the Company or the Trust (as defined under Rule 405 of
the Securities Act); (ii) any Exchange Securities to be received by it were
acquired in the course of its ordinary business; and (iii) it is not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Securities
and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of the
Exchange Securities.
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its
own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as
it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in
exchange for Registrable Securities where such Registrable Securities were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. The Company and the Trust have agreed that, starting on
the date on which the Registered Exchange Offer is consummated and ending on
the close of business one year after such date, they will make this Prospectus
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See
"Plan of Distribution."
21
<PAGE> 22
ANNEX B
Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission as set
forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, the Company and the Trust
believe that holders of Registrable Securities (other than any holder that is
an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act) who exchange their Registrable Securities for Exchange
Securities pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer may offer such Exchange
Securities for resale, resell such Exchange Securities and otherwise transfer
such Exchange Securities without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such
Exchange Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders'
business and such holders are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a
distribution of such Exchange Securities and have no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such
Exchange Securities. However, the staff of the Commission has not considered
the Registered Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there
can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer. Each
broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange
for Registrable Securities, where such Registrable Securities were acquired by
such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See "Plan of Distribution."
22
<PAGE> 23
ANNEX C
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its
own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange
Securities received in exchange for Registrable Securities where such
Registrable Securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities. The Company and the Trust have agreed that, starting
on the date on which the Registered Exchange Offer is consummated and ending on
the close of business one year after such date, they will make this Prospectus,
as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in
connection with any such resale. In addition, until ___________, 199__, all
dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Securities may be required to
deliver a prospectus.
The Company and the Trust will not receive any proceeds from
any sale of Exchange Securities by broker-dealers. Exchange Securities
received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Registered
Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market or the New York Stock Exchange, in negotiated
transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Securities or a
combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or
concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such
Exchange Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Securities that
were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange
Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such
Exchange Securities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Securities and
any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of one year after the date on which the
Registered Exchange Offer is consummated, the Company and the Trust will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company and the Trust have agreed to pay all
expenses incident to the Registered Exchange Offer (including the expenses of
one counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities) other than
commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the
Holders of the Registrable Securities (including any broker-dealers) against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
23
<PAGE> 24
[If applicable, add information required by Regulation S-K
Items 507 and/or 508.]
24
<PAGE> 25
ANNEX D
Rider A
_ CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name:
---------------------------------------
Address:
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Rider B
The undersigned acknowledges that this Registered Exchange
Offer is being made by the Company and the Trust based upon the Company's and
Trust's understanding of an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as set forth in no-action letters issued
to third parties, that the Exchange Securities issued in exchange for
Registrable Securities by holders thereof (other than to holders that are
"affiliates" of the Company or the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under
the Securities Act), may be so issued without compliance with the registration
and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that: (i)
such holders are not affiliates of the Company or the Trust within the meaning
of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (ii) such Exchange Securities are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business; and (iii) such
holders are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of
such Exchange Securities and have no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Securities.
However, the staff of the Commission has not considered the Registered Exchange
Offer in the context of a no-action letter and there can be no assurance that
the staff of the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to
the Registered Exchange Offer as in other circumstances. If a holder of
Registrable Securities is an affiliate of the Company, or is engaged in or
intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Securities or has any
arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange
Securities to be acquired pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, such
holder could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the
Commission and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale
transaction. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange
Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities, it
represents that the Registrable Securities to be exchanged for Exchange
Securities were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities; however, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
25
<PAGE> 1
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-4 Nos. 333-____ and 333-____) and related
Prospectus of National Commerce Bancorporation and National Commerce Capital
Trust I for the registration of $50,000,000 of Capital Securities of National
Commerce Capital Trust I and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 14, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of National Commerce Bancorporation incorporated by reference in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Memphis, Tennessee
June 10, 1997
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each undersigned director
and/or officer of National Commerce Bancorporation (the "Company") whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Lewis E. Holland,
Charles A. Neale and Steven L. Kaplan and each of them, 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:
1. To sign, execute and affix his seal to and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (or any other governmental or
regulatory authority) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 and, if
necessary, a Registration Statement on Form S-3, and any amendments and
post-effective amendments thereto (collectively, the "Registration
Statement"), for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act") and Rule 415 thereunder (if applicable), of (i)
$50,000,000 in aggregate liquidation amount of Floating Rate Capital
Trust Pass-through Securities ("Capital Securities") of National
Commerce Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), which will be issued in exchange
for the Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities of the Trust
issued on March 27, 1997, (ii) the Company's Junior Subordinated
Debentures (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures"), which will be issued
in exchange for the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company
on March 27, 1997 in connection with the issuance of the Capital
Securities, and (iii) the Company's Guarantee (the "Guarantee"), which
will be issued in exchange for the Guarantee issued by the Company on
March 27, 1997 in connection with the issuance of the Capital
Securities;
2. To take all such other action as any such attorney-in-fact,
or his substitute, may deem necessary or desirable in order to effect
and maintain the registration of the Capital Securities, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee; and
3. To sign for him, in his name and in his capacity as an
officer or director, or both, of the Company, all such documents and
instruments as any such attorney-in-fact, or his substitute, may deem
necessary or advisable in connection with the registration,
qualification or exemption of the Capital Securities, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee under the securities laws of
any state or other jurisdiction.
<PAGE> 2
This power of attorney shall be effective as of the date written
opposite the signature of each of the undersigned and shall continue in
full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned in a writing
filed with the Secretary of the Company.
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
THOMAS M. GARROTT Chairman of the Board, June 12, 1997
- ----------------------- President and Chief
Thomas M. Garrott Executive Officer
(Principal Executive
Officer)
LEWIS E. HOLLAND Executive Vice President, June 12, 1997
- ----------------------- Treasurer and Chief
Lewis E. Holland Financial Officer
(Principal Financial
Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
Director
- -----------------------
Frank G. Barton, Jr.
R. GRATTAN BROWN JR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
R. Grattan Brown, Jr.
BRUCE E. CAMPBELL, JR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
Bruce E. Campbell, Jr.
JOHN D. CANALE, III Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
John D. Canale, III
<PAGE> 3
EDMOND D. CICALA Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
Edmond D. Cicala
THOMAS C. FARNSWORTH JR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
Thomas C. Farnsworth, Jr.
Director
- -----------------------
R. Lee Jenkins
W. NEELY MALLORY, JR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
W. Neely Mallory, Jr.
JAMES E. MCGEHEE, JR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
James E. McGehee, Jr.
HARRY J. PHILLIPS, SR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
Harry J. Phillips, Sr.
RUDI E. SCHEIDT Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
Rudi E. Scheidt
SIDNEY A. STEWART, JR. Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
Sidney A. Stewart, Jr.
G. MARK THOMPSON Director June 12, 1997
- -----------------------
G. Mark Thompson
<PAGE> 1
THIS CONFORMING PAPER FORMAT DOCUMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED
PURSUANT TO RULE 901(d) OF REGULATION S-T
EXHIBIT 25.1
================================================================================
FORM T-1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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) |__|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
New York 13-5160382
(State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank) identification no.)
48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tennessee 62-0784645
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
----------------------
Junior Subordinated Debentures
(Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
THIS CONFORMING PAPER FORMAT DOCUMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED
PURSUANT TO RULE 901(d) OF REGULATION S-T
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Superintendent of Banks of the State of 2 Rector Street, New York,
New York N.Y. 10006, and Albany, N.Y. 12203
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
N.Y. 10045
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C. 20429
New York Clearing House Association New York, New York 10005
</TABLE>
(b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST
POWERS.
Yes.
2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.
IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
SUCH AFFILIATION.
None.
16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE
COMMISSION, ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT
HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7a-29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT
OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
1. A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of
New York (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in
effect, which contains the authority to commence
business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate
trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form
T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215,
Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with
Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1 to
Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No.
33-29637.)
4. A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.
(Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration
Statement No. 33-31019.)
6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b)
of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with
Registration Statement No. 33-44051.)
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the
Trustee published pursuant to law or to the
requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank
of New York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State
of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New
York, and State of New York, on the 11th day of June, 1997.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /S/MARY LAGUMINA
-----------------------
Name: MARY LAGUMINA
Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
-3-
<PAGE> 1
THIS CONFORMING PAPER FORMAT DOCUMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED
PURSUANT TO RULE 901(d) OF REGULATION S-T
EXHIBIT 25.2
================================================================================
FORM T-1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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) |__|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
New York 13-5160382
(State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank) identification no.)
48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Delaware To be applied for
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
----------------------
Capital Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
THIS CONFORMING PAPER FORMAT DOCUMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED
PURSUANT TO RULE 901(d) OF REGULATION S-T
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Superintendent of Banks of the State of 2 Rector Street, New York,
New York N.Y. 10006, and Albany, N.Y. 12203
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
N.Y. 10045
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C. 20429
New York Clearing House Association New York, New York 10005
</TABLE>
(b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST
POWERS.
Yes.
2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.
IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
SUCH AFFILIATION.
None.
16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE
COMMISSION, ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT
HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7a-29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT
OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
1. A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of
New York (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in
effect, which contains the authority to commence
business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate
trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form
T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215,
Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with
Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1 to
Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No.
33-29637.)
4. A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.
(Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration
Statement No. 33-31019.)
6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b)
of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with
Registration Statement No. 33-44051.)
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the
Trustee published pursuant to law or to the
requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank
of New York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State
of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New
York, and State of New York, on the 11th day of June, 1997.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /S/MARY LAGUMINA
----------------------
Name: MARY LAGUMINA
Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
-3-
<PAGE> 1
THIS CONFORMING PAPER FORMAT DOCUMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED
PURSUANT TO RULE 901(d) OF REGULATION S-T
EXHIBIT 25.3
================================================================================
FORM T-1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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) |__|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
New York 13-5160382
(State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank) identification no.)
48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tennessee 62-0784645
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
One Commerce Square
Memphis, Tennessee 38150
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
----------------------
Guarantee of Capital Securities of
National Commerce Capital Trust I
(Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
THIS CONFORMING PAPER FORMAT DOCUMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED
PURSUANT TO RULE 901(d) OF REGULATION S-T
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Superintendent of Banks of the State of 2 Rector Street, New York,
New York N.Y. 10006, and Albany, N.Y. 12203
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
N.Y. 10045
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C. 20429
New York Clearing House Association New York, New York 10005
</TABLE>
(b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST
POWERS.
Yes.
2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.
IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
SUCH AFFILIATION.
None.
16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE
COMMISSION, ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT
HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7a-29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT
OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
1. A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of
New York (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in
effect, which contains the authority to commence
business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate
trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form
T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215,
Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with
Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1 to
Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No.
33-29637.)
4. A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.
(Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration
Statement No. 33-31019.)
6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b)
of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with
Registration Statement No. 33-44051.)
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the
Trustee published pursuant to law or to the
requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.
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<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank
of New York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State
of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New
York, and State of New York, on the 11th day of June, 1997.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /S/MARY LAGUMINA
--------------------------
Name: MARY LAGUMINA
Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
-3-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933
FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED ______, 1997.
- -----------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT
5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON ________, 1997 UNLESS
THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN
PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE
EXPIRATION DATE.
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286
Corporate Trust Services Window
Ground Level
Attn: Reorganization Section
Enriquez Lopez
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS: (Eligible Institutions Only)
(212) 571-3080
To confirm by telephone or for information call:
(212) 815-6333
BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 7E
New York, New York 10286
Attn: Reorganization Section
Enriquez Lopez
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN
ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF
THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
CAPITALIZED TERMS USED BUT NOT DEFINED HEREIN
SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING GIVEN THEM IN THE PROSPECTUS
(AS DEFINED BELOW). YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THE
SECTION ENTITLED "CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS" IN THE
PROSPECTUS.
The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has
received the Prospectus, dated _________, 1997 (as the
same may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
the "Prospectus"), of National Commerce Bancorporation,
a Tennessee corporation ("NCBC"), and National Commerce
Capital Trust I, a Delaware business trust (the
"Trust"), and this Letter of Transmittal, which together
constitute NCBC's and the Trust's offer (the "Exchange
Offer") to exchange an aggregate liquidation amount of
up to $50,000,000 of the Trust's Floating Rate Capital
Trust Pass-through Securities (the "Old Capital
- 2 -
<PAGE> 3
Securities") for a like aggregate liquidation amount of
the Trust's Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through
Securities (the "New Capital Securities") which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act").
THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by
holders of Old Capital Securities either if Old Capital
Securities are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of
Old Capital Securities are to be made by book-entry
transfer to an account maintained by The Bank of New
York (the "Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.
Holders of Old Capital Securities whose
certificates (the "Certificates") for such Old Capital
Securities are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver their Certificates and all other required
documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who
cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer
on a timely basis, must tender their Old Capital
Securities according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ
THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
The undersigned has completed the appropriate
boxes below and signed this Letter of Transmittal to
indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with
respect to the Exchange Offer.
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<PAGE> 4
ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX
_______________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s):
(Please fill in, if blank)
Certificate Number(s)*
Aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities
Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities Tendered**
Total Amount Tendered:
_______________________________________________________
* Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
** Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole
or in part in denominations of $100,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof,
provided that if any Old Capital Securities are
tendered for exchange in part, the untendered
principal amount thereof must be $100,000 or any
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
All Old Capital Securities held shall be deemed
tendered unless a lesser number is specified in
this column.
_______________________________________________________
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<PAGE> 5
(BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
[_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE
BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO
THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH
DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution: _________________
DTC Account Number: ____________________________
Transaction Code Number: _______________________
[_] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE
OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO
THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Registered Holders(s): __________________
Window Ticket Number (if any): __________________
Date of Execution of Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery: __________________________
Name of Institution which Guaranteed
Delivery: _____________________________________
If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry
Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution: __________________
DTC Account Number: _____________________________
Transaction Code Number: ________________________
[_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND
NON-EXCHANGED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE TO BE
RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER
SET FORTH ABOVE.
[_] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO
ACQUIRED THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER
TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name: __________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
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<PAGE> 6
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to
NCBC and the Trust the above described aggregate
liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities in exchange
for a like aggregate liquidation amount of New Capital
Securities.
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for
exchange of all or any portion of the Old Capital
Securities tendered herewith in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including,
if the Exchange Offer is extended or amended, the terms
and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or
upon the order of the Trust all right, title and
interest in and to such Old Capital Securities as are
being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent
as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge
that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of NCBC
and the Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer)
with respect to the tendered Old Capital Securities,
with full power of substitution (such power of attorney
being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an
interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal
described in the Prospectus, to: (i) deliver
Certificates for Old Capital Securities to NCBC or the
Trust together with all accompanying evidences of
transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the
Trust, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the
undersigned's agent, of the New Capital Securities to be
issued in exchange for such Old Capital Securities; (ii)
present Certificates for such Old Capital Securities for
transfer, and to transfer the Old Capital Securities on
the books of the Trust; and (iii) receive for the
account of the Trust all benefits and otherwise exercise
all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Capital
Securities, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS
THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO
TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE
SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE, THE TRUST WILL ACQUIRE
GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE THERETO, FREE
AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND
ENCUMBRANCES, AND THAT THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR
- 6 -
<PAGE> 7
PROXIES. THE UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE
AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS DEEMED BY NCBC, THE
TRUST OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE
TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE
OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE
UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ
AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered
holder(s) of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby
should be printed above, if they are not already set
forth above, as they appear on the Certificates
representing such Old Capital Securities. The
Certificate number(s) and the Old Capital Securities
that the undersigned wishes to tender should be
indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not
exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason,
or if Certificates are submitted for more Old Capital
Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange,
Certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Old
Capital Securities will be returned (or, in the case of
Old Capital Securities tendered by book-entry transfer,
such Old Capital Securities will be credited to an
account maintained at DTC), without expense to the
tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old
Capital Securities pursuant to any one of the procedures
described in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and
in the instructions attached hereto will, upon NCBC's
and the Trust's acceptance for exchange of such tendered
Old Capital Securities, constitute a binding agreement
among the undersigned, NCBC and the Trust upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange
Offer. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain
circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, NCBC and the
Trust may not be required to accept for exchange any of
the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box
entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" below, the
undersigned hereby directs that the New Capital
Securities be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned
or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital
Securities, that such New Capital Securities be credited
to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If
- 7 -
<PAGE> 8
applicable, substitute Certificates representing Old
Capital Securities not exchanged or not accepted for
exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the
case of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities,
will be credited to the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise
indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions", please
deliver New Capital Securities to the undersigned at the
address shown below the undersigned's signature.
BY TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AND
EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE UNDERSIGNED
HEREBY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT (A) THE UNDERSIGNED
IS NOT AN "AFFILIATE" OF NCBC OR THE TRUST, (B) ANY
NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES TO BE RECEIVED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE
OF ITS BUSINESS, (C) THE UNDERSIGNED HAS NO
ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH ANY PERSON TO
PARTICIPATE IN A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE SECURITIES ACT) OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES TO BE
RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND (D) IF THE
UNDERSIGNED IS NOT A BROKER-DEALER, THE UNDERSIGNED IS
NOT ENGAGED IN, AND DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A
DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES
ACT) OF SUCH NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES. BY TENDERING OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND
EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, A HOLDER OF OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES WHICH IS A BROKER-DEALER REPRESENTS
AND AGREES, CONSISTENT WITH CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE
LETTERS ISSUED BY THE STAFF OF THE DIVISION OF
CORPORATION FINANCE OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION TO THIRD PARTIES, THAT (X) SUCH OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES HELD BY THE BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY AS
A NOMINEE, OR (Y) SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WERE
ACQUIRED BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS
A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES AND IT WILL DELIVER THE PROSPECTUS (AS
AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES (PROVIDED THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND BY
DELIVERING A PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER WILL NOT
BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT IS AN "UNDERWRITER" WITHIN
THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT).
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS EXCHANGE
OFFER IS BEING MADE BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST BASED
UPON THE COMPANY'S AND TRUST'S UNDERSTANDING OF AN
INTERPRETATION BY THE STAFF OF THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION") AS SET FORTH IN
NO-ACTION LETTERS ISSUED TO THIRD PARTIES, THAT THE NEW
CAPITAL SECURITIES ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES BY HOLDERS THEREOF (OTHER THAN TO HOLDERS
THAT ARE "AFFILIATES" OF THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST
WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 405 UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT), MAY BE SO ISSUED WITHOUT COMPLIANCE WITH THE
REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY PROVISIONS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, PROVIDED THAT: (i) SUCH HOLDERS ARE
NOT AFFILIATES OF THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST WITHIN THE
MEANING OF RULE 405 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT; (ii) SUCH
NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY
COURSE OF SUCH HOLDERS' BUSINESS; AND (iii) SUCH
HOLDERS ARE NOT ENGAGED IN, AND DO NOT INTEND TO
ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES AND HAVE NO ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING
WITH ANY PERSON TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRIBUTION
OF SUCH NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES. HOWEVER, THE STAFF
OF THE COMMISSION HAS NOT CONSIDERED THE EXCHANGE
OFFER IN THE CONTEXT OF A NO-ACTION LETTER AND THERE
CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION
WOULD MAKE A SIMILAR DETERMINATION WITH RESPECT TO
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AS IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. IF A
HOLDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES IS AN AFFILIATE OF
THE COMPANY, OR IS ENGAGED IN OR INTENDS TO ENGAGE
IN A DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES OR
HAS ANY ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH RESPECT
TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
TO BE ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, SUCH
HOLDER COULD NOT RELY ON THE APPLICABLE
INTERPRETATIONS OF THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION AND
MUST COMPLY WITH THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS
DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY SECONDARY RESALE TRANSACTION.
NCBC AND THE TRUST HAVE AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO
THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE
PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM
TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN CONNECTION WITH
RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE
FOR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES, WHERE SUCH OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING
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<PAGE> 9
BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF
MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES,
FOR A PERIOD ENDING ONE YEAR AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE
(SUBJECT TO EXTENSION UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF
EARLIER, WHEN ALL SUCH NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES HAVE
BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER.
IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF
MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A
"PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM
NCBC OR THE TRUST OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR
THE DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT WHICH MAKES ANY STATEMENT
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE
PROSPECTUS UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH
CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE A MATERIAL FACT
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN LIGHT OF THE
CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE, NOT
MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN OTHER
EVENTS SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT,
SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE
OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS
UNTIL (A) NCBC AND THE TRUST HAVE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO CORRECT SUCH
MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAVE FURNISHED COPIES OF
THE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR (B) NCBC OR THE TRUST
HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE. IF NCBC
OR THE TRUST GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF
THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, IT SHALL EXTEND THE ONE
YEAR PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE OF NEW
CAPITAL SECURITIES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE
PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF
SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS SHALL HAVE RECEIVED
COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED PROSPECTUS
NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES OR TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON WHICH NCBC
OR THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF NEW
CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old
Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will not
receive accumulated Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities for any period from and after the last
Distribution Payment Date to which Distributions have
been paid or duly provided
- 9 -
<PAGE> 10
for on such Old Capital Securities prior to the original
issue date of the New Capital Securities or, if no such
Distributions have been paid or duly provided for, will not
receive any accumulated Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities, and the undersigned waives the right to
receive any Distributions on such Old Capital Securities
accumulated from and after such Distribution Payment Date or, if
no such Distributions have been paid or duly provided for,
from and after March 27, 1997.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be
conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive
the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding
upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal
representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the
undersigned. Except as stated in the Prospectus, this
tender is irrevocable.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED
"DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES" ABOVE AND BY
SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE
OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX
HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON PAGE ___) (NOTE:
SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY
INSTRUCTION 2):
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as
name(s) appear(s) on Certificate(s) for the Old Capital
Securities hereby tendered or on a security position
listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the
registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents
transmitted herewith (including such opinions of
counsel, certifications and other information as may be
required by the Trust or the Exchange Agent for the Old Capital
Securities to comply with the restrictions on transfer
applicable to the Old Capital Securities). If signature
is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another
acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative
- 10 -
<PAGE> 11
capacity, please set forth the signer's full title. See
Instruction 5.
________________________________________
________________________________________
(SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))
Date: ________________________, 1997
Name(s): _______________________________
_______________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title): ________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone Number: _______________________
_______________________________________________________
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS(S))
- 11 -
<PAGE> 12
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5):
_______________________________________
(AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
Date: ________________________, 1997
Name of Firm: ________________________________________
Capacity (full title): _______________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone Number: _______________________
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS: (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5
AND 6)
To be completed ONLY if New Capital Securities or Old
Capital Securities that are not tendered are to be
issued in the name of someone other than the
registered holder(s) of the Old Capital Securities whose
name(s) appear(s) above.
Issue
[_] Old Capital Securities not tendered to:
[_] New Capital Securities, to:
Address: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone Number: _______________________
_______________________________________________________
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS(S))
- 12 -
<PAGE> 13
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND
6):
To be completed ONLY if New Capital Securities or Old
Capital Securities that are not tendered are to be sent to
someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Old
Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above, or
such registered holder(s) at an address other than that
shown above.
Mail
[_] Old Capital Securities not tendered to:
[_] New Capital Securities, to:
Address: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone Number: _______________________
_______________________________________________________
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS(S))
- 13 -
<PAGE> 14
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES. This
Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b)
tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for
tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The
Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities" in the Prospectus. Certificates, or
timely book-entry confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of such Old Capital Securities into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as this
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly
completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees, and any other documents required
by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or
prior to the Expiration Date. The term "book-entry
confirmation" means a timely written confirmation from
DTC of book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities
into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC. Old Capital
Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in the
principal amount of $100,000 (100 Capital Securities)
and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof,
provided that, if any Old Capital Securities are
tendered for exchange in part, the untendered
principal amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in
excess thereof.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Capital
Securities and (i) whose Old Capital Securities are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their
Old Capital Securities, this Letter of Transmittal and
all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot
complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry
transfer on a timely basis, may tender their Old Capital
Securities by properly completing and duly executing a
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities"
in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (a)
such tender must be made by or through an Eligible
Institution (as defined below); (b) a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form made available by the Company,
must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date; and (c) the Certificates (or a
book-entry confirmation (as defined in the Prospectus))
representing all tendered Old Capital Securities, in
proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed
- 14 -
<PAGE> 15
and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange
Agent within five New York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading
days after the date of execution of such Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities"
in the Prospectus.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be
delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile or mail to
the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such
Notice. For Old Capital Securities to be properly
tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure,
the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used
herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible Institution"
means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor
institution," including (as such terms are defined
therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal
securities broker or dealer or government securities
broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national
securities exchange, registered securities association
or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is
a participant in a Securities Transfer Association. THE
METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE
OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND THE
DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED
BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL,
REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY
INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED.
IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO
ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
Neither NCBC nor the Trust will accept any
alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each
tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waives any right to
receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature
guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if:
(i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered holder (which term, for purposes of this
document, shall include any participant in DTC whose
name appears on a security position listing as the owner
of the Old Capital Securities) of Old Capital Securities
- 15 -
<PAGE> 16
tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed
either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions"
or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions"
above; or
(ii) such Old Capital Securities are tendered for
the account of a firm that is an Eligible Institution.
In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must
guarantee the signature(s) on this Letter of
Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in
the box captioned "Description of Old Capital
Securities" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s)
and/or the principal amount of Old Capital Securities
and any other required information should be listed on a
separate signed schedule which is attached to this
Letter of Transmittal.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS.
Tenders of Old Capital Securities will be accepted
only in the principal amount of $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof, provided that if any Old Capital Securities
are tendered for exchange in part, the untendered
principal amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in
excess thereof. If less than all the Old Capital
Securities evidenced by any Certificate submitted are
to be tendered, fill in the principal amount of Old
Capital Securities which are to be tendered in the box
entitled "Principal Amount of Old Capital Securities
Tendered (if less than all)." In such case, new
Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Old Capital
Securities that were evidenced by your old
Certificate(s) will only be sent to the holder of the
Old Capital Security, promptly after the Expiration
Date unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of
Transmittal are completed. All Old Capital Securities
represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange
Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of
Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on
or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a
written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission of
such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above
or in the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date.
Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of
the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be
- 16 -
<PAGE> 17
withdrawn, the aggregate liquidation amount of Old Capital
Securities to be withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Old
Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set
forth on the Certificate for the Old Capital Securities,
if different from that of the person who tendered such
Old Capital Securities. If Certificates for the Old
Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the
physical release of such Certificates for the Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the
serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for
the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the
signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old
Capital Securities tendered for the account of an
Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have
been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry
transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering Old Capital Securities," the notice of
withdrawal must specify the name and number of the
account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old
Capital Securities, in which case a notice of withdrawal
will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by
written or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders
of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old
Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed
validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but
may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to
the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures
described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."
All questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility (including time of receipt) of such
withdrawal notices will be determined by NCBC and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination
shall be final and binding on all parties. NCBC and
the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of NCBC and the
Trust, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall
not be under any duty to give any notification of any
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur
any liability for failure to give any such
notification. Any Old Capital Securities which have
been tendered but which are withdrawn on or prior to
the Expiration Date will be returned to the holder
thereof without cost to such holder promptly after
withdrawal.
5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If this Letter of
- 17 -
<PAGE> 18
Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Old Capital Securities tendered hereby, the signature(s)
must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on
the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Old Capital Securities tendered
hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners,
all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Old Capital Securities are
registered in different name(s) on several Certificates,
it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as
many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles
thereof) as there are different registrations of
Certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates
or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such persons should so indicate
when signing and must submit proper evidence
satisfactory to NCBC and the Trust, in their sole
discretion, of each such person's authority to so act.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered owner(s) of the Old Capital Securities listed
and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required
unless New Capital Securities are to be issued in the
name of a person other than the registered holder(s).
Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s)
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a
person other than the registered owner(s) of the Old
Capital Securities listed, the Certificates must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers,
signed exactly as the name or names of the registered
owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must
be accompanied by such opinions of counsel,
certifications and other information as NCBC, the
Trust or the Exchange Agent may require in accordance
with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the
Old Capital Securities. Signatures on such
Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
If New Capital Securities are to be issued in the name
- 18 -
<PAGE> 19
of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if New Capital Securities are to be
sent to someone other than the signer of this Letter
of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of
Transmittal should be completed. Certificates for Old
Capital Securities not exchanged will be returned by
mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by
crediting the account indicated above maintained at
DTC unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of
Transmittal are completed. See Instruction 4.
7. IRREGULARITIES. NCBC and the Trust will
determine, in their sole discretion, all questions as
to the form of documents, validity, eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance for
exchange of any tender of Old Capital Securities,
which determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. NCBC and the Trust reserve the absolute
right to reject any and all tenders determined by
either of them not to be in proper form or the
acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view
of counsel to NCBC and the Trust, be unlawful. NCBC
and the Trust also reserve the absolute right, subject
to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of
the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under
"The Exchange Offer--Conditions to the Exchange Offer"
or any conditions or irregularity in any tender of Old
Capital Securities of any particular holder whether or
not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in
the case of other holders. NCBC's and the Trust's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal
and the instructions hereto) will be final and
binding. No tender of Old Capital Securities will be
deemed to have been validly made until all
irregularities with respect to such tender have been
cured or waived. NCBC, the Trust, any affiliates or
assigns of NCBC, the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or any
other person shall not be under any duty to give
notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur
any liability for failure to give such notification.
8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND
ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests for
assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its
address and telephone number set forth on the front of
this Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the
Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange
Agent or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee.
- 19 -
<PAGE> 20
9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING; SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a holder whose
tendered Old Capital Securities are accepted for
exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with
such holder's correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN") on the Substitute Form W-9 below. If the
Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") may subject the
holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In addition,
payments to such holders or other payees with respect to
Old Capital Securities exchanged pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup withholding.
The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may
be checked if the tendering holder has not been issued a
TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a
TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 2 is
checked, the holder or other payee must also complete
the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification
Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and
the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification
Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will withhold
31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly
certified TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent. The
Exchange Agent will retain such amounts withheld during
the 60-day period following the date of the Substitute
Form W-9. If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent
with its TIN within 60 days after the date of the
Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60
day period will be remitted to the holder and no further
amounts shall be retained or withheld from payments made
to the holder thereafter. If, however, the holder has
not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such
60 day period, amounts withheld will be remitted to the
IRS as backup withholding. In addition, 31% of all
payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted
to the IRS until a correct TIN is provided.
The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent
the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer
identification number) of the registered owner of the
Old Capital Securities or of the last transferee
appearing on the transfers attached to, or endorsed on,
the Old Capital Securities. If the Old Capital
Securities are registered in more than one name or are
not in the name of the actual owner, consult the
enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for
additional guidance on which number to report.
- 20 -
<PAGE> 21
Certain holders (including, among others,
corporations, financial institutions and certain foreign
persons) may not be subject to these backup withholding
and reporting requirements. Such holders should
nevertheless complete the attached Substitute Form W-9
below, and write "exempt" on the face thereof, to avoid
possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person
may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a
properly completed IRS Form W-8, signed under penalties
of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional U.S.
Federal income tax. Rather, the U.S. Federal income tax
liability of a person subject to backup withholding will
be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund
may be obtained.
10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. NCBC and the Trust
reserve the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any
or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative,
conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering holders of Old Capital
Securities, by execution and delivery of this Letter
of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive
notice of the acceptance of their Old Capital
Securities for exchange.
12. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If
any Certificate(s) representing Old Capital Securities
have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should
promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will
then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in
order to replace the Certificate(s). This Letter of
Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed
until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or
stolen Certificate(s) have been followed.
13. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender
their Old Capital Securities for exchange will not be
obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, New Capital Securities are to
be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any
person other than the registered holder of the Old
Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old
- 21 -
<PAGE> 22
Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange
Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether
imposed on the registered holder or any other persons)
will be payable by the tendering holder. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be
billed directly to such tendering holder.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE
THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE
RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
_________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS
(SEE INSTRUCTION 9)
PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
______________________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY,
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)
AND CERTIFICATION
______________________________________________________
PART 1-PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN ON THE LINE AT RIGHT AND
CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
TIN: _______________________________________________
Social Security Number or Employer
Identification Number
______________________________________________________
PART 2 Awaiting TIN [_]
______________________________________________________
CERTIFICATION: UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY
THAT:
(1) the number shown on this form is my correct
taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting
for a number to be issued to me);
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either
because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding,
- 22 -
<PAGE> 23
(ii) I have not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to
backup withholding as a result of a failure to
report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the
IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject
to backup withholding, and
(3) any other information provided on this form is
true and correct.
Signature: _____________________________
Date: ___________, 1997
______________________________________________________
You must cross out item (iii) in Part (b) above if you
have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to
backup withholding because of underreporting interest or
dividends on your tax return and you have not been
notified by the IRS that you are no longer subject to
backup withholding.
______________________________________________________
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF
31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF
YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 2 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
______________________________________________________
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a
taxpayer identification number has not been issued to
me, and either (i) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number
to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or
Social Security Administration Office or (ii) I intend
to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I
understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer
identification number by the time of payment, 31% of all
payments made to me on account of the New Capital
Securities shall be retained until I provide a taxpayer
identification number to the Exchange Agent and that, if
I do not provide my taxpayer identification number
within 60 days, such retained amounts shall be remitted
to the Internal Revenue Service as backup withholding
- 23 -
<PAGE> 24
and 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter
will be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue
Service until I provide a taxpayer identification
number.
Signature: ___________________________________
Date: ____________________, 1997
- 24 -
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.2
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY FOR TENDER OF ANY AND ALL
OF THE OUTSTANDING FLOATING RATE CAPITAL TRUST
PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER
CAPITAL SECURITY) OF NATIONAL COMMERCE CAPITAL TRUST I
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY NATIONAL
COMMERCE BANCORPORATION
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one
substantially equivalent to this form, must be used to
accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates for the Trust's (as defined below)
Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities
(the "Old Capital Securities") are not immediately
available, (ii) Old Capital Securities, the Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents cannot be
delivered to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange
Agent") on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined
in the Prospectus referred to below) or (iii) the
procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot
be completed on a timely basis. This Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand,
overnight courier or mail, or transmitted by facsimile
transmission, to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date. See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the
Prospectus. In addition, in order to utilize the
guaranteed delivery procedure to tender Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a
completed, signed and dated Letter of Transmittal
relating to the Old Capital Securities (or facsimile
thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
have the meanings given them in the Prospectus.
<PAGE> 2
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286
Corporate Trust Services Window
Ground Level
Attn: Reorganization Section
Enriquez Lopez
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS: (Eligible Institutions Only)
(212) 571-3080
To confirm by telephone or for information call:
(212) 815-6333
BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 7E
New York, New York 10286
Attn: Reorganization Section
Enriquez Lopez
DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN
ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF
THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY VIA FACSIMILE TO A
NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE
A VALID DELIVERY.
THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE
USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN
"ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO,
SUCH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE
SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to National
Commerce Capital Trust I, a Delaware business trust (the
"Trust"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the Prospectus dated _________, 1997 (as
the same may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, the "Prospectus"), and the related Letter of
Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange
- 2 -
<PAGE> 3
Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
aggregate liquidation amount of Old Capital Securities set
forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities."
Aggregate Liquidation Amount Tendered: $_______________
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): _______________________
________________________________________________________
Certificate No(s)(if available): _______________________
Total Liquidation Amount represented by Old Capital
Securities Certificate(s): $____________________
If Old Capital Securities will be tendered by book-entry
transfer, provide the following information:
DTC Account Number: ____________________
Date: _____________, 1997
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be
conferred in this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall
survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors,
administrators, personal representatives, trustees in
bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and
assigns of the undersigned.
PLEASE SIGN HERE:
_________________________ __________, 1997
_________________________ __________, 1997
(Signature(s) of Owner(s)
or Authorized Signatory)
Area Code and telephone number: _______________________
Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Old
Capital Securities exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on
certificate(s) for the Old Capital Securities or on a
security position listing, or by person(s) authorized to
become registered holder(s) by endorsements and
documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed
- 3 -
<PAGE> 4
Delivery. If signature is by an attorney-in-fact,
executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, please set forth the signer's
full title. Please print name(s) and address(es)
Names: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Capacity: _____________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED.
GUARANTEE (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, a firm or other entity
identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor
institution," including (as such terms are defined
therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal
securities broker, municipal securities dealer,
government securities broker or government securities
dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities
exchange, registered securities association or clearing
agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association
recognized program (each of the foregoing being referred
to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to
deliver to the Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses
set forth above, either the Old Capital Securities
tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or
confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old
Capital Securities to the Exchange Agent's account at
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the
Prospectus, in either case together with one or more
properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other
required documents within five business days after the
date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver
the Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and
the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby to the
Exchange Agent within
- 4 -
<PAGE> 5
the time period set forth above and that failure to do
so could result in a financial loss to the undersigned.
Name of Firm: ______________________________
Authorized
Signature: ______________________________
Print name
and title: ______________________________
Address: ______________________________
(Zip code)
Area code and telephone number: ________________
Date: _____________, 1997
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY.
ACTUAL SURRENDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST BE
MADE PURSUANT TO, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A PROPERLY
COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
- 5 -
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.3
___________, 199__
EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT
The Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
101 Barclay Street - 21st Floor
New York, New York 10286
Ladies and Gentlemen:
___________________________ (the "Company")
proposes to make an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to
exchange its ___________________________ (the "Old
Capital Securities") for its ___________________________
(the "New Capital Securities"). The terms and conditions
of the Exchange Offer as currently contemplated are set
forth in a prospectus, dated ___________, 199__ (the
"Prospectus"), proposed to be distributed to all record
holders of the Old Capital Securities. The Old Capital
Securities and the New Capital Securities are collectively
referred to herein as the "Securities".
The Company hereby appoints The Bank of New York
to act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in
connection with the Exchange Offer. References
hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The Bank of New York.
The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by
the Company on or about _____________, 199_. The Letter
of Transmittal accompanying the Prospectus (or in the
case of book entry securities, the ATOP system) is to be
used by the holders of the Old Capital Securities to accept
the Exchange Offer and contains instructions with respect
to the delivery of certificates for Old Capital Securities
tendered in connection therewith.
The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on _____________, 199__ or on such later
date or time to which the Company may extend the
Exchange Offer (the "Expiration Date"). Subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, the
Company expressly reserves the right to extend the
Exchange Offer from time to time and may extend the
Exchange Offer by giving oral (confirmed in writing) or
written notice to you before 9:00 A.M., New York City
<PAGE> 2
time, on the business day following the previously
scheduled Expiration Date.
[The Company expressly reserves the right to
amend or terminate the Exchange Offer, and not to
accept for exchange any Old Capital Securities not
theretofore accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence
of any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer
specified in the Prospectus under the caption ["The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."]
The Company will give oral (confirmed in writing) or
written notice of any amendment, termination or
nonacceptance to you as promptly as practicable.]
In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent,
you are to act in good faith and in accordance with
the following instructions:
1. You will perform such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in the section of
the Prospectus captioned ["The Exchange Offer"] or as
specifically set forth herein; provided, however, that
in no way will your general duty to act in good faith be
discharged by the foregoing.
2. You will establish an account with respect to
the Old Capital Securities at The Depository Trust Company
(the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") for purposes of the
Exchange Offer within two business days after the date
of the Prospectus, and any financial institution that is
a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
systems may make book-entry delivery of the Old Capital
Securities by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
to transfer such Old Capital Securities into your account
in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
procedure for such transfer.
3. You are to examine each of the Letters of
Transmittal and certificates for Old Capital Securities
(or confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) and any other
documents delivered or mailed to you by or for holders
of the Old Capital Securities to ascertain whether: (i)
the Letters of Transmittal and any such other documents
are duly executed and properly completed in accordance
with instructions set forth therein and (ii) the Old
Capital Securities have otherwise been properly tendered.
In each case where the Letter of Transmittal or any other
document has been improperly completed or executed or
any of the certificates for Old Capital Securities are not
in proper form for transfer or some other irregularity in
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<PAGE> 3
connection with the acceptance of the Exchange Offer
exists, you will endeavor to inform the presenters of
the need for fulfillment of all requirements and to take
any other action as may be necessary or advisable to
cause such irregularity to be corrected.
4. With the approval of the President, Senior
Vice President, Executive Vice President, or any Vice
President of the Company (such approval, if given
orally, to be confirmed in writing) or any other party
designated by such an officer in writing, you are
authorized to waive any irregularities in connection
with any tender of Old Capital Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.
5. Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be made
only as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and in the
section of the Prospectus captioned ["The Exchange Offer
- -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities"], and
Old Securities shall be considered properly tendered to
you only when tendered in accordance with the procedures
set forth therein.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph
5, Old Capital Securities which the President, Senior Vice
President, Executive Vice President, or any Vice
President of the Company shall approve as having been
properly tendered shall be considered to be properly
tendered (such approval, if given orally, shall be
confirmed in writing).
6. You shall advise the Company with respect to
any Old Capital Securities received subsequent to the
Expiration Date and accept its instructions with respect
to disposition of such Old Capital Securities.
7. You shall accept tenders:
(a) in cases where the Old Capital Securities
are registered in two or more names only if signed by all
named holders;
(b) in cases where the signing person (as
indicated on the Letter of Transmittal) is acting in a
fiduciary or a representative capacity only when proper
evidence of his or her authority so to act is submitted;
and
(c) from persons other than the registered
holder of Old Capital Securities provided that customary
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<PAGE> 4
transfer requirements, including any applicable transfer
taxes, are fulfilled.
You shall accept partial tenders of Old
Capital Securities where so indicated and as permitted
in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates for
Old Capital Securities to the transfer agent for split-up
and return any untendered Old Capital Securities to the
holder (or such other person as may be designated in the
Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as practicable after
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
8. Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the
conditions to the Exchange Offer, the Company will
notify you (such notice if given orally, to be
confirmed in writing) of its acceptance, promptly
after the Expiration Date, of all Old Capital Securities
properly tendered and you, on behalf of the Company,
will exchange such Old Capital Securities for New Capital
Securities and cause such Old Capital Securities to be
cancelled. Delivery of New Capital Securities will be
made on behalf of the Company by you at the rate of
$1,000 liquidation amount of New Capital Securities for
each $1,000 liquidation amount of the corresponding
series of Old Capital Securities tendered promptly after
notice (such notice if given orally, to be confirmed in
writing) of acceptance of said Old Capital Securities by
the Company; provided, however, that in all cases, Old
Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be exchanged only after timely receipt by
you of certificates for such Old Capital Securities (or
confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), properly completed
and duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof) with any required signature guarantees and any
other required documents. You shall issue New Capital
Securities only in denominations of $100,000 (100 New
Capital Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000
in excess thereof.
9. Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are
irrevocable, except that, subject to the terms and upon
the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the
Letter of Transmittal, Old Capital Securities tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any
time prior to the Expiration Date.
10. The Company shall not be required to
exchange any Old Capital Securities tendered if any of the
conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are not met.
Notice of any decision by the Company not to exchange
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<PAGE> 5
any Old Capital Securities tendered shall be given (and
confirmed in writing) by the Company to you.
11. If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the
Company does not accept for exchange all or part of
the Old Capital Securities tendered because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events
set forth in the Prospectus under the caption ["The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer"]
or otherwise, you shall as soon as practicable after
the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer
return those certificates for unaccepted Old Capital
Securities (or effect appropriate book-entry
transfer), together with any related required
documents and the Letters of Transmittal relating
thereto that are in your possession, to the persons
who deposited such certificates or effected such
book-entry transfer.
12. All certificates for reissued Old Capital
Securities, unaccepted Old Capital Securities or for
New Capital Securities shall be forwarded by
first-class certified mail, return receipt requested
under a blanket surety bond protecting you and the
Company from loss or liability arising out of the
non-receipt or non-delivery of such certificates.
13. You are not authorized to pay or offer to
pay any concessions, commissions or solicitation fees to
any broker, dealer, bank or other persons or to engage
or utilize any person to solicit tenders.
14. If any holder of Old Capital Securities
shall report to you that his or her failure to
surrender Old Capital Securities registered in his or
her name is due to the loss or destruction of a
certificate or certificates, you shall request such
holder (i) to furnish to you an affidavit of loss and,
if required by the Company, a bond of indemnity in an
amount and evidenced by such certificate or certificates
of a surety, as may be satisfactory to you and the
Company, and (ii) to execute and deliver an agreement
to indemnify the Company and you, in such form as is
acceptable to you. The obligees to be named in each
such indemnity bond shall include you and the Company.
You shall report to the Company the names of all
holders of Old Capital Securities who claim that their
Old Capital Securities have been lost or destroyed
and the principal amount of such Old Capital Securities.
15. As Exchange Agent hereunder you:
(a) shall have no duties or obligations other
than those specifically set forth herein or as may be
subsequently agreed to in writing by you and the Company;
(b) will be regarded as making no
representations and having no responsibilities as to the
validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any of
the certificates or the Old Capital Securities represented
thereby deposited with you pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, and will not be required to and will make no
representation as to the validity, value or genuineness
of the Exchange Offer;
(c) shall not be obligated to take any legal
action hereunder which might in your reasonable judgment
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<PAGE> 6
involve any expense or liability, unless you shall have
been furnished with reasonable indemnity;
(d) may reasonably rely on and shall be
protected in acting in reliance upon any certificate,
instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telegram or other
document or security delivered to you and reasonably
believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed by
the proper party or parties;
(e) may reasonably act upon any tender,
statement, request, comment, agreement or other
instrument whatsoever not only as to its due execution
and validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but
also as to the truth and accuracy of any information
contained therein, which you shall in good faith believe
to be genuine or to have been signed or represented by a
proper person or persons;
(f) may rely on and shall be protected in
acting upon written or oral instructions from any
officer of the Company;
(g) may consult with your counsel with
respect to any questions relating to your duties and
responsibilities and the advice or opinion of such
counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
omitted to be taken by you hereunder in good faith and
in accordance with the advice or opinion of such
counsel; and
(h) shall not advise any person tendering Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer as to
the wisdom of making such tender or as to the market value
or decline or appreciation in market value of any Old
Capital Securities.
16. You shall take such action as may from time
to time be requested by the Company or its counsel (and
such other action as you may reasonably deem
appropriate) to furnish copies of the Prospectus, Letter
of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as
defined in the Prospectus) or such other forms as may be
approved from time to time by the Company, to all
persons requesting such documents and to accept and
comply with telephone requests for information relating
to the Exchange Offer, provided that such information
shall relate only to the procedures for accepting (or
withdrawing from) the Exchange Offer. The Company will
furnish you with copies of such documents at your
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<PAGE> 7
request. All other requests for information relating to
the Exchange Offer shall be directed to the Company,
Attention: ____________________.
17. You shall advise by facsimile transmission
or telephone, and promptly thereafter confirm in writing
to _____________________________ of the Company and such
other person or persons as it may request, daily (and
more frequently during the week immediately preceding
the Expiration Date and if otherwise requested) up to
and including the Expiration Date, as to the number of
Old Capital Securities which have been tendered pursuant
to the Exchange Offer and the items received by you
pursuant to this Agreement, separately reporting and
giving cumulative totals as to items properly received
and items improperly received. In addition, you will
also inform, and cooperate in making available to, the
Company or any such other person or persons upon oral
request made from time to time prior to the Expiration
Date of such other information as it or he or she
reasonably requests. Such cooperation shall include,
without limitation, the granting by you to the Company
and such person as the Company may request of access to
those persons on your staff who are responsible for
receiving tenders, in order to ensure that immediately
prior to the Expiration Date the Company shall have
received information in sufficient detail to enable it
to decide whether to extend the Exchange Offer. You
shall prepare a final list of all persons whose tenders
were accepted, the aggregate principal amount of Old
Capital Securities tendered, the aggregate principal
amount of Old Capital Securities accepted and deliver
said list to the Company.
18. Letters of Transmittal and Notices of
Guaranteed Delivery shall be stamped by you as to the
date and the time of receipt thereof and shall be
preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to
the period of time you preserve other records pertaining
to the transfer of securities. You shall dispose of
unused Letters of Transmittal and other surplus
materials by returning them to the Company.
19. You hereby expressly waive any lien,
encumbrance or right of set-off whatsoever that you may
have with respect to funds deposited with you for the
payment of transfer taxes by reasons of amounts, if any,
borrowed by the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates pursuant to any loan or credit agreement with
you or for compensation owed to you hereunder.
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<PAGE> 8
20. For services rendered as Exchange Agent
hereunder, you shall be entitled to such compensation as
set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
21. You hereby acknowledge receipt of the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal and further
acknowledge that you have examined each of them. Any
inconsistency between this Agreement, on the one hand,
and the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal (as
they may be amended from time to time), on the other
hand, shall be resolved in favor of the latter two
documents, except with respect to the duties,
liabilities and indemnification of you as Exchange
Agent, which shall be controlled by this Agreement.
22. The Company covenants and agrees to
indemnify and hold you harmless in your capacity as
Exchange Agent hereunder against any loss, liability,
cost or expense, including attorneys' fees and
expenses, arising out of or in connection with any
act, omission, delay or refusal made by you in
reliance upon any signature, endorsement, assignment,
certificate, order, request, notice, instruction or
other instrument or document reasonably believed by
you to be valid, genuine and sufficient and in
accepting any tender or effecting any transfer of Old
Capital Securities reasonably believed by you in good
faith to be authorized, and in delaying or refusing
in good faith to accept any tenders or effect any
transfer of Old Capital Securities; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be liable for
indemnification or otherwise for any loss, liability,
cost or expense to the extent arising out of your
negligence or willful misconduct. In no case shall the
Company be liable under this indemnity with respect to
any claim against you unless the Company shall be
notified by you, by letter or by facsimile
confirmed by letter, of the written assertion of a
claim against you or of any other action commenced
against you, promptly after you shall have received
any such written assertion or notice of commencement
of action. The Company shall be entitled to participate
at its own expense in the defense of any such claim or
other action, and, if the Company so elects, the
Company shall assume the defense of any suit brought
to enforce any such claim. In the event that the
Company shall assume the defense of any such suit, the
Company shall not be liable for the fees and expenses
of any additional counsel thereafter retained by you
so long as the Company shall retain counsel
satisfactory to you to defend such suit.
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<PAGE> 9
23. You shall arrange to comply with all
requirements under the tax laws of the United States,
including those relating to missing Tax Identification
Numbers, and shall file any appropriate reports with the
Internal Revenue Service. The Company understands that
you are required to deduct 31% on payments to holders
who have not supplied their correct Taxpayer
Identification Number or required certification. Such
funds will be turned over to the Internal Revenue
Service in accordance with applicable regulations.
24. You shall deliver or cause to be delivered,
in a timely manner to each governmental authority to
which any transfer taxes are payable in respect of the
exchange of Old Capital Securities, your check in the
amount of all transfer taxes so payable, and the Company
shall reimburse you for the amount of any and all transfer
taxes payable in respect of the exchange of Old Capital
Securities; provided, however, that you shall reimburse
the Company for amounts refunded to you in respect of
your payment of any such transfer taxes, at such time as
such refund is received by you.
25. This Agreement and your appointment as
Exchange Agent hereunder shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed
entirely within such state, and without regard to
conflicts of law principles, and shall inure to the
benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be
binding upon, the successors and assigns of each of the
parties hereto.
26. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
27. In case any provision of this Agreement
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.
28. This Agreement shall not be deemed or
construed to be modified, amended, rescinded, cancelled
or waived, in whole or in part, except by a written
instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of
the party to be charged. This Agreement may not be
modified orally.
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<PAGE> 10
29. Unless otherwise provided herein, all
notices, requests and other communications to any party
hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile or
similar writing) and shall be given to such party,
addressed to it, at its address or telecopy number set
forth below:
If to the Company:
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Facsimile: __________________
Attention: __________________
If to the Exchange Agent:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
Floor 21 West
New York, New York 10286
Facsimile: (212) 815-5915
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
Administration
30. Unless terminated earlier by the parties
hereto, this Agreement shall terminate 90 days following
the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Paragraphs 20, 22 and 24 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement. Upon any termination of this
Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to the Company any
certificates for Securities, funds or property then held
by you as Exchange Agent under this Agreement.
31. This Agreement shall be binding and
effective as of the date hereof.
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<PAGE> 11
Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and
confirm the arrangements herein provided by signing and
returning the enclosed copy.
_______________
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted as of the date first above written:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Exchange Agent
By:_____________________
Name:
Title:
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<PAGE> 12
SCHEDULE I
FEES
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