<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY , 1997
REGISTRATION NO.333-
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) (Exact name of Registrant as specified
DELAWARE in its trust agreement)
(State or other jurisdiction of DELAWARE
incorporation or organization) (State or other jurisdiction of
--------- incorporation or organization)
---------
6719 6719
(Primary Standard Industrial (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) Classification Code Number)
22-1867895 06-6439432
(I.R.S. Employer (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) Identification No.)
</TABLE>
------------------------
165 MASON STREET
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06836-2518
(203) 629-2880
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrants' principal executive offices)
------------------------------
ROBERT S. GORIN, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL
AND SECRETARY
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
165 MASON STREET
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06836-2518
(203) 629-2880
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agents for service)
------------------------------
COPIES TO:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NEIL NOVIKOFF, ESQ. MITCHELL KLEINMAN, ESQ.
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER BROWN & WOOD LLP
ONE CITICORP CENTER ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
153 EAST 53RD STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-4677
</TABLE>
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be 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>
AMOUNT PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(1) OFFERING PRICE(1) FEE(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Securities of W.R. Berkley Capital
Trust........................................... $210,000,000 100% $210,000,000 $63,637
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
of W.R. Berkley Corporation(2)..................
W.R. Berkley Corporation Guarantee with respect to
Capital Securities(3)...........................
Total......................................... $210,000,000(4) 100% $210,000,000(5) $63,637
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
(2) No separate consideration will be received for the Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures of W.R. Berkley Corporation distributed upon
any liquidation of the W.R. Berkley Capital Trust.
(3) No separate consideration will be received for the W.R. Berkley Corporation
Guarantee.
(4) This Registration Statement is deemed to cover rights of holders of Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures under an Indenture, the rights
of holders of Capital Securities of the W.R. Berkley Capital Trust under a
Trust Agreement, the rights of holders of such Capital Securities under a
Guarantee and certain backup undertakings as described herein.
(5) Such amount represents the liquidation amount of the W.R. Berkley Capital
Trust Capital Securities to be exchanged hereunder and the principal amount
of Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures that may be
distributed to holders of such Capital Securities upon any liquidation of
the W.R. Berkley Capital Trust.
------------------------------
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 THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY , 1997
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.
<PAGE>
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
8.197% CAPITAL 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
8.197% CAPITAL SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED
------------------------
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, a statutory business trust formed under the laws
of the State of Delaware (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 $210,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of its
8.197% Capital Securities (the "New Capital 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
8.197% Capital Securities (the "Old Capital Securities"), of which $210,000,000
aggregate Liquidation Amount is outstanding. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), is also
offering to exchange (i) its guarantee of payments of cash distributions and
payments on liquidation of the Trust or redemption of the Old Capital Securities
(the "Old Guarantee") for a like guarantee in respect of the New Capital
Securities (the "New Guarantee") and (ii) all of its 8.197% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 15, 2045 (the "Old Junior
Subordinated Debentures") for a like aggregate principal amount of its 8.197%
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 15, 2045 (the
"New Junior Subordinated Debentures"), which New Guarantee and New Junior
Subordinated Debentures also have been registered under the Securities Act. The
Old Capital Securities, the Old Guarantee and the Old Junior Subordinated
Debentures are collectively referred to herein as the "Old Securities" and the
New Capital Securities, the New Guarantee and the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures are collectively referred to herein as the "New Securities."
The terms of the New Securities are identical in all material respects to
the respective terms of the Old Securities, except that (i) the New Securities
have been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject
to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Securities, (ii) the
New Capital Securities will not contain the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount
transfer restriction, (iii) the New Capital Securities will not provide for any
increase in the Distribution rate thereon, (iv) the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures will not contain the $100,000 minimum principal amount transfer
restriction and (v) the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will not provide for
any increase in the interest rate thereon. See "Description of New Securities"
and "Description of Old Securities." The New Capital Securities are being
offered for exchange in order to satisfy certain obligations of the Corporation
and the Trust under the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 20,
1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") among the Corporation, the Trust and
the Initial Purchasers (as defined herein). In the event that the Exchange Offer
is consummated, 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 Trust
Agreement (as defined herein).
(CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)
This Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to all
holders of Old Capital Securities on , 1997.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 14 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES IN
THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
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 date of this Prospectus is , 1997.
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE)
The New Capital Securities and the Old Capital Securities (collectively, the
"Capital Securities") represent beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
The Corporation is the owner of all of the beneficial interests represented by
common securities of the Trust (the "Common Securities," and together with the
Capital Securities, the "Trust Securities"). The Bank of New York is the
Property Trustee of the Trust. The Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing
the Trust Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (as defined herein). The Junior Subordinated Debentures
will mature on December 15, 2045 (the "Stated Maturity Date"). The Capital
Securities will have a preference over the Common Securities under certain
circumstances with respect to cash distributions and amounts payable on
liquidation, redemption or otherwise. See "Description of New Securities
Description of New Capital Securities Subordination of Common Securities."
As used herein, (i) the "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of
December 20, 1996, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the
Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture
Trustee"), (ii) the "Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust relating to the Trust, dated as of December 20, 1996, among the
Corporation, as Sponsor, The Bank of New York as Property Trustee (the "Property
Trustee"), The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee"), and the Administrative Trustees named therein (collectively, with the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees"). In addition,
as the context may require, unless otherwise expressly stated, (i) the term
"Capital Securities" includes the Old Capital Securities and the New Capital
Securities, (ii) the term "Trust Securities" includes the Capital Securities and
the Common Securities, (iii) the term "Junior Subordinated Debentures" includes
the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures and (iv) the term "Guarantee" includes the Old Guarantee and the New
Guarantee.
Holders of the New Capital Securities will be entitled to receive
preferential cumulative cash distributions arising from the payment of interest
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, accruing from December 20, 1996, and
payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year,
commencing June 15, 1997, at the annual rate of 8.197% of the Liquidation Amount
of $1,000 per New Capital Security ("Distributions"). The Corporation will have
the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at
any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods with respect to each deferral period (each, an "Extension
Period"), provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated
Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment
of all amounts then due, the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension
Period, subject to the requirements set forth in the Indenture. If and for so
long as interest payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures are so deferred,
Distributions on the Trust Securities will also be deferred and the Corporation
will not be permitted, subject to certain exceptions described herein, to
declare or pay any cash distributions with respect to the Corporation's capital
stock (which includes common and preferred stock) or to make any payment with
respect to debt securities of the Corporation that rank PARI PASSU with or
junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. During an Extension Period,
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will continue to accrue (and the
amount of Distributions to which holders of the Trust Securities are entitled
will accumulate) at the rate of 8.197% per annum, compounded semi-annually, and
holders of Trust Securities will be required to accrue interest income for
United States federal income tax purposes. See "Description of New Securities
Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures Option to Extend Interest
Payment Date" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."
------------------------
Through the Guarantee, the guarantee agreement of the Corporation relating
to the Common Securities (the "Common Guarantee"), the Trust Agreement, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, taken together, the
Corporation has guaranteed or will guarantee, as the case may be, fully,
irrevocably and unconditionally, all of the Trust's obligations under the Trust
Securities. See "Relationship Among the New Capital Securities, the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee--Full and Unconditional
Guarantee." The Old Guarantee and the Common Guarantee guarantees, and the New
Guarantee will guarantee, payments of Distributions and payments on liquidation
or redemption of the Trust Securities, but in each case only to the extent that
the Trust holds funds on hand legally available therefor and has failed to make
such payments, as described herein. See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Guarantee." If the Corporation fails to make a
required payment on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not have
sufficient funds to make the related payments, including Distributions, on the
Trust Securities. The Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will not cover any such
payment when the Trust does not have sufficient funds on hand legally available
therefor. In such event, a holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights in respect of
such payment. See "Description of New Securities--Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures--Enforcement of Certain Rights By Holders
2
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE)
of New Capital Securities." The obligations of the Corporation under the
Guarantee, the Common Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as
defined in "Description of New Securities--Description of New Junior
Subordinated-- Debentures Subordination").
The Trust Securities will be subject to mandatory redemption in a Like
Amount (as defined herein), (i) in whole but not in part, on the Stated Maturity
Date upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at a redemption price
equal to the principal amount of, plus accrued interest on, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (the "Maturity Redemption Price"), (ii) in whole but not
in part, at any time, contemporaneously with the optional prepayment of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, upon the occurrence and continuation of a
Special Event (as defined herein) at a redemption price equal to the Special
Event Prepayment Price (as defined below) (the "Special Event Redemption
Price"), and (iii) in whole or in part, on or after December 15, 2006,
contemporaneously with the optional prepayment by the Corporation of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, at a redemption price equal to the Optional Prepayment
Price (as defined below) (the "Optional Redemption Price"). Any of the Maturity
Redemption Price, the Special Event Redemption Price and the Optional Redemption
Price may be referred to herein as the "Redemption Price." See "Description of
- --ew Securities]Description of New Capital Securities--Redemption." The Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be prepayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date at
the option of the Corporation (i) on or after December 15, 2006, in whole or in
part, at a prepayment price (the "Optional Prepayment Price") equal to the
principal amount thereof outstanding, plus accrued interest thereon to the date
of prepayment, or (ii) at any time, in whole but not in part, upon the
occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, at a prepayment price (the
"Special Event Prepayment Price") equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the
principal amount thereof or (b) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent (as
defined herein), of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest thereon to December 15, 2006, the first date on which the
Junior Subordinated Debentures are subject to optional prepayment, discounted to
the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined herein) plus,
in either case, accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment. Either of
the Optional Prepayment Price or the Special Event Prepayment Price may be
referred to herein as the "Prepayment Price." See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--Optional
Prepayment" and "-- Special Event Prepayment."
The Corporation will have the right at any time to terminate the Trust and
cause a Like Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to
the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, subject to the
Corporation having received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
distribution will not be a taxable event to holders of Capital Securities.
Unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of the
Trust Securities, in the event of a liquidation of the Trust as described
herein, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required
by applicable law, the holders of the Capital Securities generally will be
entitled to receive a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security plus
accumulated Distributions thereon to the date of payment. See "Description of
New Securities--Description of New Capital Securities--Liquidation of the Trust
and Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures."
------------------------
The Trust is making the Exchange Offer of the New Capital Securities in
reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as set forth in
certain interpretive letters addressed to third parties in other transactions.
However, neither the Corporation nor the Trust has sought its own interpretive
letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with
respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third
parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two immediately
following sentences, the Corporation and the Trust believe that New Capital
Securities issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital
Securities may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a
holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Capital Securities are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holder's business and that such holder is not
participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of
such New Capital Securities. However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who
is an "affiliate" of the Corporation 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 under the Securities Act ("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 Division of Corporation
3
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE)
Finance 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 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 Corporation or the Trust,
(ii) any New Capital Securities to be received by it are being acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities and (iv) if such holder is not a
broker-dealer, such holder 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. In addition, the Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) 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 acquired the Old
Capital Securities for its own account as the result of market-making activities
or other trading activities and must agree 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 of the Division of Corporation Finance
of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the Corporation
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 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
Corporation 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 ending
90-days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein) (subject to extension
under certain limited circumstances described below) or, if earlier, when all
such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating
Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." However, a Participating
Broker-Dealer who intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale
of New Capital Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Corporation or the Trust, or
cause the Corporation or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration
Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the
space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered
to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "The
Exchange Offer--Exchange Agent." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an
"affiliate" of the Corporation 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."
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
Corporation 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
4
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE)
Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New Capital Securities (or the New
Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) pursuant to
this Prospectus until the Corporation 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 Corporation or the Trust has given notice that the sale of
the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be. If the
Corporation or the Trust gives such notice to suspend the sale of the New
Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, as applicable), it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above
during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this 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 amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the New Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Corporation
or the Trust has given notice that the sale of New Capital Securities (or the
New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, 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 Corporation 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. The
Corporation and the Trust currently do not intend to apply for listing of the
New Capital Securities on any securities exchange or for quotation through the
Nasdaq Stock Market.
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 Trust Agreement
(except for those rights which terminate upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer). Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Capital
Securities will continue to be subject to all of the existing restrictions upon
transfer thereof and neither the Corporation 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."
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 Corporation or 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 Corporation or the Trust and to the terms and provisions of
the Registration Rights Agreement. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in
whole or in part having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of not less than
$100,000 (100 Capital Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 Liquidation
Amount (one Capital Security) in excess thereof. The Corporation has agreed to
pay all expenses of the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--Fees and
Expenses." Holders of the Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities
are accepted for exchange will not receive 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 December
20, 1996. See "The Exchange Offer--Distributions on New Capital Securities."
Neither the Corporation 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. See "Use of Proceeds" and
"Plan of Distribution."
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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS EXCHANGE
OFFER AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR A SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Available Information........................................................................................ 6
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.............................................................. 7
Summary...................................................................................................... 8
Risk Factors................................................................................................. 14
W.R. Berkley Corporation..................................................................................... 20
Use of Proceeds.............................................................................................. 20
Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends................................... 20
Capitalization............................................................................................... 21
Summary Financial Data....................................................................................... 22
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust................................................................................... 23
The Exchange Offer........................................................................................... 24
Description of New Securities................................................................................ 34
Description of Old Securities................................................................................ 54
Relationship Among the New Capital Securities, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New
Guarantee.................................................................................................. 54
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations...................................................... 56
ERISA Considerations......................................................................................... 60
Plan of Distribution......................................................................................... 61
Validity of New Securities................................................................................... 61
Experts...................................................................................................... 62
</TABLE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional
offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500
West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also
be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such
information may also be accessed electronically by means of the Commission's
home page on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov.).
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No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included herein. The
Corporation and the Trust do not consider that such financial statements would
be material to holders of the Capital Securities because the Trust is a newly
formed special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent
operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity
other than holding as trust assets the Junior Subordinated Debentures and
issuing the Trust Securities. See "W.R. Berkley Capital Trust" and "Description
of New Securities." In addition, the Corporation 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
(the "Registration Statement") filed by the Corporation 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 and to the exhibits
relating thereto for further information with respect to the Corporation, the
Trust and the New 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.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Corporation with the Commission are
incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:
1. The Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995;
2. The Corporation's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996; and
3. The Corporation's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on January 5, 1996 and December 13, 1996.
All documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to
the termination of the offering of the New Securities offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part of
this Prospectus from the date of filing of such document. Any statement
contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of 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. The Corporation will provide
without charge to any person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the
written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing
documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits not specifically
incorporated by reference into the texts of such documents). Requests for such
documents should be directed to: Robert S. Gorin, Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary, W.R. Berkley Corporation, 165 Mason Street, P.O. Box
2518, Greenwich, Connecticut 06836-2518. Telephone requests may be directed to
(203) 629-3026.
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SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS. REFERENCE IS MADE TO, AND THIS SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, INCLUDING
THE NOTES THERETO, CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) the Trust Agreement executed by the Corporation, as Sponsor, The Bank of
New York, as Property Trustee, and The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware
Trustee, and the three individual Administrative Trustees named therein, and
(ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State
on December 11, 1996. The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by the
Issuer Trustees: the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the three
individual Administrative Trustees who are employees or officers of or
affiliated with the Corporation. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of
(i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the
sale of the Trust Securities to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures
issued by the Corporation and (iii) engaging in only those other activities
necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of
the Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be the sole revenues of the Trust. All of the Common Securities
are owned by the Corporation.
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
W.R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company which, through its
subsidiaries, presently operates in all segments of the property casualty
insurance business: regional property casualty insurance; reinsurance (conducted
through Signet Star Holdings, Inc.); specialty lines of insurance (including
excess and surplus lines and commercial transportation); alternative markets
(including the management of alternative insurance market mechanisms); and
international (conducted through Berkley International, LLC). The Corporation
was founded on the concept that a group of autonomous regional and specialty
insurance entities could compete effectively in selected markets within a very
large industry. Decentralized controls allows each subsidiary to respond to
local or specialty market conditions while capitalizing on the effectiveness of
centralized investment and reinsurance management, and actuarial, financial and
legal staff support.
The Corporation's regional insurance operations are conducted primarily in
the midwest, southern and northeast sections of the United States. The
reinsurance operations, specialty insurance and alternative markets are
conducted nationwide. The international operations are conducted primarily in
Argentina.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
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The Exchange Offer........... Up to $210,000,000 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 (one Capital
Security) in excess thereof. The Corporation 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."
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Expiration Date.............. 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997, unless
the Exchange Offer is extended by the Corporation or the
Trust (in which case the Expiration Date will be the latest
date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). See
"The Exchange Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer...................... The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions, which
may be waived by the Corporation 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."
Offer........................ The Corporation 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--Terms of the Exchange Offer."
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 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 an Agent's Message (defined herein) in case of book-entry
delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date.
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 Corporation or
the Trust. Such documents should only be sent to the
Exchange Agent.
Resales of New Capital
Securities................. The Corporation and the Trust are making the Exchange Offer
in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of
Corporation
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Finance of the Commission as set forth in certain
interpretive letters addressed to third parties in other
transactions. However, neither the Corporation nor the Trust
has sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no
assurance that the staff of the Division of Corporation
Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination
with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such
interpretive letters to third parties. Based on these
interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation
Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two
immediately following sentences, the Corporation and the
Trust believe that New Capital Securities issued pursuant to
this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities
may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred
by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a
broker-dealer) without further compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Capital Securities
are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's
business and that such holder is not participating, and has
no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities. However, any
holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of
the Corporation 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 of the Division of Corporation
Finance 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 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 Corporation or the Trust, (ii) any
New Capital Securities to be received by it are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) it
has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities, and (iv) if
such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder 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. Each broker-dealer that receives New
Capital Securities for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must
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acknowledge that it acquired the Old Capital Securities for
its own account as the result of market-making activities or
other trading activities and must agree 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 of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission in the interpretive
letters referred to above, the Corporation and the Trust
believe that Participating 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 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
Corporation 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 ending
90-days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension
under certain limited circumstances) or, if earlier, when
all such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by
such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of
Distribution." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an
"affiliate" of the Corporation 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 Secu-
rities."
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.
Use of Proceeds.............. Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will receive any cash
proceeds from the issuance of the New Capital Securities
offered hereby. See "Use of Proceeds."
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Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations;
ERISA Considerations....... Holders of Old Capital Securities should review the
information set forth under "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations" and "ERISA Considerations" prior
to tendering Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
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Securities Offered........... Up to $210,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Trust's New Capital Securities which have been registered
under the Securities Act (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per New
Capital Security). The New Capital Securities will be issued
and the Old Capital Securities were issued under the Trust
Agreement. The New Capital Securities and any Old Capital
Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of
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
Trust Agreement. See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Capital Securities--Voting
Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement." 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 will not be subject to the $100,000
minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain
other restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital
Securities and will not provide for any increase in the
Distribution rate thereon. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose
of the Exchange Offer," "Description of New Securities" and
"Description of Old Securities."
Distribution Dates........... June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15,
1997.
Extension Periods............ Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be deferred
for the duration of any Extension Period elected by the
Corporation with respect to the payment of interest on the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures. No Extension Period will
exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond
the Stated Maturity Date. See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and
"Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount."
Ranking...................... The New Capital Securities will rank PARI PASSU, and
payments thereon will be made PRO RATA, with the Old Capital
Securities and the Common Securities except as described
under "Description of New Securities--Description of New
Capital Securities-Subordination of Common Securities." The
New Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank PARI PASSU with
the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and all other junior
subordinated debentures to be issued by the Corporation
(collectively, with the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures,
the "Other Debentures") and sold (if at all) to other trusts
to be established by
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the Corporation (if any), in each case similar to the Trust
(the "Other Trusts"), and will be unsecured and subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness to
the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture. See
"Description of New Securities-- Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures." The New Guarantee will rank PARI
PASSU with the Old Guarantee and all other guarantees (if
any) to be issued by the Corporation with respect to capital
securities (if any) to be issued by Other Trusts
(collectively, with the Old Guarantee, the "Other
Guarantees") and will constitute an unsecured obligation of
the Corporation and will rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent
and in the manner set forth in the Guarantee Agreement. See
"Description of New Securities--Description of New
Guarantee."
Redemption................... The Trust Securities are subject to mandatory redemption in
a Like Amount, (i) in whole but not in part, on the Stated
Maturity Date upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time
contemporaneously with the optional prepayment of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures by the Corporation upon the
occurrence and continuation of a Special Event and (iii) in
whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2006
contemporaneously with the optional prepayment by the
Corporation of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, in each
case at the applicable Redemption Price. See "Description of
New Securities--Description of New Capital
Securities--Redemption."
Rating....................... The New Capital Securities are expected to be rated "BBB+"
by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and "a3" by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.
Absence of Market for the New
Capital Securities......... The New Capital Securities will be a new issue of securities
for which there currently is no market. Although Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Goldman, Sachs &
Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
the initial purchasers of the Old Capital Securities (the
"Initial Purchasers"), have informed the Corporation 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. The Trust and the Corporation do not
intend to apply for listing of the New Capital Securities on
any securities exchange or for quotation through the Nasdaq
Stock Market. See "Plan of Distribution."
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RISK FACTORS
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY, IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FOLLOWING FACTORS IN CONNECTION
WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY.
RANKING OF SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The obligations of the Corporation under the Guarantee issued for the
benefit of the holders of Capital Securities, as well as under the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, will be unsecured and rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness. In addition, in the case of a
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, the Corporation's obligations under the
Guarantee will also rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
liabilities (other than Other Guarantees) of the Corporation. At September 30,
1996, the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Indebtedness was
approximately $390 million. Because the Corporation is a holding company, the
right of the Corporation to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise
(and thus the ability of holders of the Capital Securities to benefit indirectly
from such distribution) is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that
subsidiary, except to the extent that the Corporation may itself be recognized
as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of the Corporation's subsidiaries, and holders of Junior
Subordinated Debentures should look only to the assets of the Corporation for
payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition, since many of the
Corporation's subsidiaries are insurance companies subject to regulatory control
by various state insurance departments, the ability of such subsidiaries to pay
dividends to the Corporation without prior regulatory approval is limited by
applicable laws and regulations. None of the Indenture, the Guarantee or the
Trust Agreement places any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured
debt, including Senior Indebtedness, that may be incurred by the Corporation.
See "Description of New Securities--Description of New Guarantee--Status of New
Guarantee" and "--Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--
Subordination."
The ability of the Trust to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities is
solely dependent upon the Corporation making payments on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures as and when required.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSIDERATIONS
So long as no Debenture Event of Default (as defined herein) shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Corporation will have the right under the
Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at
any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-
annual periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension
Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. As a consequence of any such
deferral, semi-annual Distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trust will
be deferred (and the amount of Distributions to which holders of the Capital
Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the
rate of 8.197% per annum, compounded semi-annually, but not exceeding the
interest rate then accruing on the Junior Subordinated Debentures) from the
relevant payment date for such Distributions during any such Extension Period.
Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Corporation may
further extend such Extension Period, provided that such extension does not
cause such Extension Period to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or to
extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of
8.197%, compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law),
the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements. There is no limitation on the number of times that the Corporation
may
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elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Capital Securities--Distributions" and
"--Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Date."
Should the Corporation exercise its right to defer payments of interest on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, each holder of Trust Securities will be
required to accrue income (as original issue discount ("OID")) in respect of the
deferred stated interest allocable to its Trust Securities for United States
federal income tax purposes, which will be allocated but not distributed to
holders of Trust Securities. As a result, each such holder of Capital Securities
will recognize income for United States federal income tax purposes in advance
of the receipt of cash and will not receive the cash related to such income from
the Trust if the holder disposes of the Capital Securities prior to the record
date for the payment of Distributions thereafter. See "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount"
and "--Sales of Capital Securities."
Should the Corporation elect to exercise its right to defer payments of
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures 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, merely as a result of the existence of the
Corporation's right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the market price of the Capital Securities may be more volatile than
the market prices of other securities on which OID accrues and that are not
subject to such deferrals.
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE MATURITY AND SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION
If a Tax Event (as defined below) occurs, then the Corporation will have the
right (i) prior to the termination of the Trust, to advance the Stated Maturity
Date of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but
not less than 30 years from the date of original issuance thereof, or (ii) to
terminate the Trust (if not previously terminated) and advance the Stated
Maturity Date of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent
required, but not less than 40 years from the date of original issuance thereof,
in each case such that in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced
in such matters, after advancing the maturity date, interest paid on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be deductible for federal income tax purposes (the
action referred to in either clause (i) or (ii) above being referred to herein
as a "Tax Event Maturity Advancement").
If a Tax Event occurs and in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation
experienced in such matters, there would in all cases, after effecting a Tax
Event Maturity Advancement, be more than an insubstantial risk that an Adverse
Tax Consequence (as defined below) would continue to exist, or, if an Investment
Company Event (as defined below) occurs, then the Corporation will have the
right, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event or Investment
Company Event, as the case may be, to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures
in whole (but not in part) in the manner set forth under "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--Conditional Right
to Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment," and therefore to cause a
mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities prior to the Stated Maturity Date
(the circumstances under which the Corporation has the right to so redeem the
Junior Subordinated Debentures in connection with a Tax Event being referred to
herein as a "Conditional Tax Redemption Event"). Each of a Conditional Tax
Redemption Event or an Investment Company Event is sometimes referred to herein
as a "Special Event."
A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Corporation and the Trust of an
opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or
as a result of any administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of issuance of
15
<PAGE>
the Old Capital Securities under the Trust Agreement, or as a result of a final
determination, as evidenced by the execution of a Form 870 AD, arising from an
audit or examination by the Internal Revenue Service, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest
payable by the Corporation on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or
within 90 days of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Corporation, in
whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more
than a DE MINIMIS amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges
(each of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being
referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence"). See "--Possible Tax Laws
Affecting the Capital Securities" for a discussion of certain legislative
proposals that, if adopted, could give rise to a Tax Event.
An "Investment Company Event" means that the Corporation shall have received
an opinion of an independent counsel experienced in practice under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), to
the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation
or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any
legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change
in Investment Company Act Law"), there is more than insubstantial risk that the
Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in Investment Company
Act Law becomes effective on or after December 20, 1996.
POSSIBLE TAX LAWS AFFECTING THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
On March 19, 1996, as part of President Clinton's Fiscal 1997 Budget
Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the "Proposed
Legislation") which would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers
a deduction for interest in respect of certain debt obligations, such as the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued on or after December 7, 1995 if such debt
obligations have a maximum term in excess of 20 years and are not shown as
indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet. In addition,
the Proposed Legislation would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for
interest in respect of certain debt obligations, such as the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, issued on or after December 7, 1995 if such debt obligations have a
weighted average maturity of more than 40 years. On March 29, 1996, Senate
Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. and House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Bill Archer issued a joint statement (the "Joint Statement")
indicating their intent that the Proposed Legislation, if adopted by either of
the tax-writing committees of Congress, would have an effective date that is no
earlier than the date of "appropriate Congressional action." In addition,
subsequent to the publication of the Joint Statement, Senator Daniel Patrick
Moynihan and Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B. Rangel wrote letters
to the Treasury Department (the "Democrat Letters"), which concurred with the
view expressed in the Joint Statement. If the principles contained in the Joint
Statement and the Democrat Letters were followed and if the Proposed Legislation
were enacted, such legislation would not apply to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. There can be no assurance, however, that the effective date guidance
contained in the Joint Statement and the Democrat Letters will be incorporated
into the Proposed Legislation, if enacted, or that other legislation enacted
after the date hereof will not otherwise adversely affect the ability of the
Corporation to deduct the interest payable on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. Such a change could give rise to a Tax Event, which may permit the
Corporation to cause a redemption of the Trust Securities at the Special Event
Redemption Price by electing to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures at the
Special Event Prepayment Price. See "Description of New Securities--Description
of New Capital Securities--Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special
Event Redemption" and "Description of New Securities--Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures--Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event
Prepayment." See also "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Proposed Tax Legislation."
16
<PAGE>
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICES
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for Capital Securities or
Junior Subordinated Debentures distributed to the holders of Capital Securities
if a termination of the Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities
or the Junior Subordinated Debentures may trade at a discount from the price
that the investor paid to purchase the Old Capital Securities. Because holders
of Capital Securities may receive Junior Subordinated Debentures in liquidation
of the Trust and because Distributions are otherwise limited to payments on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, prospective purchasers of New Capital Securities
are also making an investment decision with regard to the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures and should carefully review all the information
regarding the New Junior Subordinated Debentures contained herein. See
"Description of New Securities--Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures."
RIGHTS UNDER THE GUARANTEE
The Bank of New York will act as Guarantee Trustee and will hold the
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Bank of
New York will also act as Property Trustee and as Debenture Trustee under the
Indenture. The Bank of New York (Delaware) will act as Delaware Trustee under
the Trust Agreement. The Old Guarantee guarantees, and the New Guarantee will
guarantee, as the case may be, to the holders of the Capital Securities the
following payments, to the extent not paid by the Trust: (i) any accumulated and
unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Capital Securities, to the
extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time,
(ii) the applicable Redemption Price with respect to any Capital Securities
called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally
available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary
termination and liquidation of the Trust (unless the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital Securities), the lesser of
(a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date of payment, to the extent that the Trust has funds on
hand legally available therefor at such time and (b) the amount of assets of the
Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of the Capital Securities
upon a termination and liquidation of the Trust. 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 Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Guarantee or to direct the exercise of
any trust power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee. Any holder of the Capital
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Corporation to
enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity. If the Corporation defaults on its obligation to pay amounts payable
under the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not have sufficient
funds for the payment of Distributions or amounts payable on liquidation of the
Trust or redemption of the Capital Securities or otherwise, and, in such event,
holders of the Capital Securities will not be able to rely upon the Guarantee
for payment of such amounts. Instead, in the event a Debenture Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing and such event is attributable to the
failure of the Corporation to pay principal of (or premium, if any) or interest
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the payment date on which such payment
is due and payable, then a holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Corporation for enforcement of payment to such
holder of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on such Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action").
Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of Capital Securities by the
Corporation in connection with a Direct Action, the Corporation shall remain
obligated to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Corporation shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holder of such Capital Securities with respect to payments on the
Capital Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Corporation to such
holder in any Direct Action. Except as described herein, holders of Capital
Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to
the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or to assert directly any
other rights in respect of the Junior
17
<PAGE>
Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of New Securities--Description of New
Junior Subordinated Debentures--Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of
Capital Securities," "--Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Debenture Events of Default" and "--Description of New Guarantee."
The Trust Agreement provides that each holder of Capital Securities by
acceptance thereof agrees to the provisions of the Indenture.
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of Capital Securities will generally have limited voting rights
relating only to the modification of the Capital Securities, the dissolution,
termination or liquidation of the Trust, and the exercise of the Trust's rights
as holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures. Holders of Capital Securities will
not be entitled to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, and such voting rights are vested exclusively in the
holder of the Common Securities except upon the occurrence of certain events
described herein. The Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the
Corporation may amend the Trust Agreement without the consent of holders of
Capital Securities to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust even if such action adversely
affects the interests of such holders. See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Capital Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of
the Trust Agreement" and "--Removal of Issuer Trustees."
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 Corporation 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.
The New Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding after consummation of 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 Trust Agreement. See "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Capital Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of
the Trust Agreement."
The Old Capital Securities provide, among other things, that, if a
registration statement relating to the Exchange Offer has not been filed by May
19, 1997 and declared effective by June 18, 1997, the Distribution rate borne by
the Old Capital Securities commencing on June 19, 1997 will increase by 0.25%
per annum until the Exchange Offer is consummated. Upon consummation of the
Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital Securities 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
"Description of Old Capital Securities."
18
<PAGE>
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
The Old Capital Securities were issued to, and the Corporation believes such
securities 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 if they are not
exchanged for the New Capital Securities. Although the New Capital Securities
may be resold or otherwise transferred by the holders (who are not affiliates of
the Corporation 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. Old Capital Securities may be
transferred by the holders thereof only in blocks having a Liquidation Amount of
not less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital Securities). New Capital Securities may
be transferred by the holders thereof in blocks having a Liquidation Amount of
$1,000 (one New Capital Security) or integral multiples thereof. The Corporation
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 develops for the New Capital Securities, future
trading prices will depend on many factors, including, among other things,
prevailing interest rates, the Corporation's results 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
Corporation, 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 Corporation 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."
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 Trust 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. Neither the Corporation nor the Trust is under any
duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the
tenders of Old Capital Securities for exchange.
19
<PAGE>
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
W.R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company which, through its
subsidiaries, presently operates in all segments of the property casualty
insurance business: regional property casualty insurance; reinsurance (conducted
through Signet Star Holdings, Inc.); specialty lines of insurance (including
excess and surplus lines and commercial transportation); alternative markets
(including the management of alternative insurance market mechanisms); and
international (conducted through Berkley International, LLC). The Corporation
was founded on the concept that a group of autonomous regional and specialty
insurance entities could compete effectively in selected markets within a very
large industry. Decentralized control allows each subsidiary to respond to local
or specialty market conditions while capitalizing on the effectiveness of
centralized investment and reinsurance management, and actuarial, financial and
legal staff support.
The Corporation's regional insurance operations are conducted primarily in
the midwest, southern and northeast sections of the United States. The
reinsurance operations, specialty insurance and alternative markets are
conducted nationwide. The international operations are conducted primarily in
Argentina.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from
the issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. In consideration for
issuing the New Capital Securities in exchange for the Old Capital Securities as
described in this Prospectus, the Trust will receive Old Capital Securities in
like Liquidation Amount. The Old Capital Securities surrendered in exchange for
the New Capital Securities will be retired and canceled.
The proceeds to the Trust (without giving effect to expenses of the offering
payable by the Corporation) from the offering of the Old Capital Securities was
$210,000,000. All of the proceeds from the sale of the Old Capital Securities
was invested by the Trust in the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Approximately
$40,000,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of the Old Junior Subordinated
Debentures was used to redeem the Corporation's Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock. The Corporation intends that approximately $150,000,000 of the
net proceeds from the sale of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
used to redeem the Corporation's 7 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock (which is redeemable on or after January 24, 1999) and any remainder of
such net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. Pending such
application by the Corporation, such net proceeds may be temporarily invested in
short-term interest-bearing securities.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to combined
fixed charges and preferred stock dividends of the Corporation for the periods
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
- ----------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
2.8 2.3 2.4 1.6 3.2 3.6 5.9
</TABLE>
The ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends represent the number of times fixed charges (interest, debt expense
and preferred stock dividends and one-third of all rent and related costs,
considered to represent an appropriate interest factor, charged to income) are
covered by income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, extraordinary credits and fixed charges (other than
capitalized interest).
20
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization of
the Corporation as of September 30, 1996, as adjusted to give effect to the
issuance of the Old Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof. The
following data should be read in conjunction with the financial information
included in the Corporation's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, which are
incorporated herein by reference. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference." The issuance of the New Securities in the Exchange Offer will have
no effect on the capitalization of the Corporation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
----------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED(1)
------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term debt.................................................. $ 390,035 $ 390,035
Minority interest in W.R. Berkley Capital Trust (2)............. -- 210,000
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share:
7 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock:
1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding................... 100 100(3)
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock:
266,667 shares issued and outstanding....................... 27 27(3)
Common stock, par value $.20 per share:
Authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding, net of
treasury shares, 19,612,184 shares........................ 4,854 4,854
Additional paid-in capital.................................... 521,361 521,361
Retained earnings............................................. 470,910 470,910
Net unrealized investment gains, net of taxes................. 14,768 14,768
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,657,194 shares..................... (118,676) (118,676)
------------ --------------
893,344 893,344
------------ --------------
$ 1,283,379 $ 1,493,379
------------ --------------
------------ --------------
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Reflects the issuance of the Old Securities.
(2) Reflects the Old Capital Securities. The Trust is a subsidiary of the
Corporation and holds the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures as its sole
asset.
(3) The Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was redeemed on December
20, 1996. The 7 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock is
redeemable on or after January 24, 1999. The Corporation intends that
substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures has been and will be used to redeem these series of
preferred stock. See "Use of Proceeds."
21
<PAGE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The summary below should be read in connection with the financial
information included in the Corporation's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K and
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996. Interim
unaudited data for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 reflect, in
the opinion of management of the Corporation, all adjustments (consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such data.
Results for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 are not necessarily
indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for
the year as a whole.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Net premiums written..................... $ 788,329 $ 642,206 $ 860,421 $ 717,933 $ 537,646 $ 417,678 $ 411,660
Net premiums earned...................... 720,735 578,160 803,336 655,038 501,433 416,003 408,133
Net investment income.................... 120,592 96,332 137,332 109,683 92,773 91,629 85,103
Management fees and commissions.......... 53,231 51,854 68,457 64,536 54,027 54,734 50,148
Realized investment gains (losses)....... 4,104 9,341 10,357 (170) 23,523 3,356 (4,823)
Other income............................. 2,090 1,580 2,461 1,703 1,550 1,478 2,690
Total revenues........................... 900,752 737,267 1,021,943 830,790 673,306 567,200 541,251
Interest expense......................... 23,655 21,216 28,209 27,601 25,275 19,266 10,618
Income before Federal income taxes....... 83,612 58,654 82,747 30,774 61,364 54,521 60,084
Federal income tax (expense) benefit..... (18,637) (11,291) (17,554) 1,552 (9,181) (8,041) (13,500)
Income before minority interest and
change in accounting................... 64,975 47,363 65,193 32,326 52,183 46,480 46,584
Minority interest........................ -- (3,627) (4,311) 2,768 (596) -- --
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle.............................. -- -- -- -- -- 5,902 --
Net income before preferred dividends.... 64,975 43,736 60,882 35,094 51,587 52,382 46,584
Preferred dividends...................... 10,598 8,297 11,062 10,356 -- -- --
Net income attributable to common
stockholders........................... 54,377 35,439 49,820 24,738 51,587 52,382 46,584
Data per common share:
Income before change in accounting..... 2.74 2.12 2.86 1.44 2.87 2.59 2.61
Net income............................. 2.74 2.12 2.86 1.44 2.87 2.92 2.61
Stockholders' equity(1)................ 35.86 31.94 35.39 26.68 30.36 26.33 23.56
Cash dividends declared................ $ .39 $ .36 $ .48 $ .44 $ .40 $ .36 $ .32
Weighted average shares outstanding...... 19,861 16,693 17,414 17,182 17,946 17,942 17,862
Investments(1)........................... 2,669,015 2,150,804 2,588,346 1,901,715 1,748,702 1,396,082 1,238,645
Total assets(2).......................... 3,814,041 3,867,725 3,618,684 3,582,291 3,337,705 1,953,294 1,525,975
Reserves for losses and loss expenses.... 1,761,949 2,148,449 1,660,020 2,070,886 2,016,348 995,247 680,109
Long-term Debt........................... 390,035 255,141 290,981 290,798 290,633 205,001 106,090
Stockholder's equity(1).................. 893,344 682,919 929,815 597,601 526,281 474,396 421,736
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Investments and stockholders' equity reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," as of
December 31, 1993. Included in the calculation of common stockholders'
equity per share are unrealized investments gains (losses), net of federal
income taxes, of $14,768,000, $25,514,000, $48,450,000, ($33,973,000) and
$36,450,000 as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 and December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993, respectively.
(2) Total assets and reserves for losses and loss expenses reflect the adoption
of SFAS No. 113, "Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration
and Long-Duration Contracts," as of December 31, 1992.
22
<PAGE>
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) the Trust Agreement executed by the Corporation, as Sponsor, The Bank of
New York, as Property Trustee, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware
Trustee, and the three Administrative Trustees named therein, and (ii) the
filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on
December 11, 1996. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing
and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the sale of the
Trust Securities to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii)
engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental
thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities). Accordingly,
the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Trust, and
payments under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole revenues of
the Trust. All of the Common Securities are owned by the Corporation. The Common
Securities will rank PARI PASSU, and payments will be made thereon PRO RATA,
with the Capital Securities, except that upon the occurrence and continuance of
an event of default under the Trust Agreement (an "Event of Default") resulting
from a Debenture Event of Default, the rights of the Corporation as holder of
the Common Securities to payments in respect 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 New Securities--
Description of New Capital Securities--Subordination of Common Securities." The
Corporation has acquired Common Securities in a Liquidation Amount equal to at
least 3% of the total capital of the Trust. The Trust has a term of 50 years,
but may terminate earlier as provided in the Trust Agreement. The Trust's
business and affairs are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by the
Corporation as holder of the Common Securities. The trustees for the Trust are
The Bank of New York, as the Property Trustee (the "Property Trustee"), The Bank
of New York (Delaware), as the Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), and
three individual trustees (the "Administrative Trustees") who are employees or
officers of or affiliated with the Corporation (collectively, the "Issuer
Trustees"). The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee, will act as sole
indenture trustee under the Trust Agreement. The Bank of New York will also act
as indenture trustee under the Guarantee and the Indenture. See "Description of
New Securities-- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures" and
"--Description of New Guarantee." The holder of the Common Securities of the
Trust or, if an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement has occurred and is
continuing, the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee
and/or the Delaware Trustee. In no event will the holders of the Capital
Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the
Administrative Trustees; such voting rights will be vested exclusively in the
holder of the Common Securities. The duties and obligations of each Issuer
Trustee are governed by the Trust Agreement. The Corporation will pay all fees,
expenses, debts and obligations (other than the Trust Securities) related to the
Trust and the offering and exchange of the Capital Securities and will pay,
directly or indirectly, all ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of the
Trust. The principal executive office of the Trust is c/o W.R. Berkley
Corporation, 165 Mason Street, P.O. Box 2518, Greenwich, Connecticut 06836-2518.
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
In connection with the sale of the Old Capital Securities, the Corporation
and the Trust entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial
Purchasers, pursuant to which the Corporation and the Trust agreed to file and
to use their reasonable 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 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 Corporation 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 will not be subject to the $100,000
minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain other restrictions
on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities and will not provide for
any increase in the Distribution rate thereon. In that regard, the Old Capital
Securities provide, among other things, that, if a registration statement
relating to the Exchange Offer has not been filed by May 19, 1997 and declared
effective by June 18, 1997, the Distribution rate borne by the Old Capital
Securities commencing on June 19, 1997 will increase by 0.25% per annum until
the Exchange Offer is consummated. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer,
holders of Old Capital Securities 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" and
"Description of Old Securities."
The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will 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 Corporation will exchange as soon as
practicable after the date hereof, the Old Guarantee for the New Guarantee and
the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, in an amount corresponding to the Old
Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal amount
of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures. The New Guarantee and New Junior
Subordinated Debentures have been registered under the Securities Act.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Trust hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to
exchange up to $210,000,000 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 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
$210,000,000 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 (100 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Capital
Security) in excess thereof.
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The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation Amount of
Old Capital Securities being tendered. As of the date of this Prospectus,
$210,000,000 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
Trust Agreement, 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" and
"Description of Old 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 Corporation 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 CORPORATION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION NOR ANY
ISSUER TRUSTEE 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 BASED ON SUCH HOLDERS OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.
The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ,
1997 unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Corporation or the Trust (in
which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended).
The Corporation 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 Trust determines, in its
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 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 Corporation and the Trust to constitute a material change, or if the
Corporation and the Trust waive a material condition of the Exchange Offer, the
Corporation and the Trust will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a
prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the holders of the Old Capital
Securities, and the Corporation 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
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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 Corporation and the
Trust may choose to make any public announcement and subject to applicable law,
the Corporation and the Trust shall have no 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
Trust will exchange, and will issue to the Exchange Agent, New Capital
Securities for Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn
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, or, in the case of a participant in the
book-entry transfer facility system, an Agent's Message 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 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 Trust gives
oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent of 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 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 Trust's acceptance for
exchange of Old Capital Securities) 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 Trust's rights
set forth herein, the Exchange Agent may, nevertheless, on behalf of 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 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, or an
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Agent's Message in case of book-entry delivery as described below, must be
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth under
"--Exchange Agent," and either (i) tendered Old Capital Securities must be
received by the Exchange Agent, 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 the Old Capital Securities are tendered, a 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. Except in the case of a
participant in the book-entry transfer facility system who transfers the Old
Capital Securities by an Agent's Message, delivery of Old Capital Securities
effected through book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC
requires that 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. A holder who is a participant in the book-entry transfer
facility system and transfers the Old Capital Securities by an Agent's Message
need not transmit the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent to consummate
the exchange.
The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted through electronic
means by a book-entry transfer facility to and received by the Exchange Agent
and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has
received an express acknowledgment from the participant tendering the Old
Capital Securities that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by
the Letter of Transmittal and/or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as discussed
below), where applicable.
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 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
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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 all required
documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the
procedure 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:
(a) such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying the Letter of Transmittal,
or, in the case of a participant in the book-entry transfer facility system,
an Agent's Message, is received by the Exchange Agent, as provided below, on
or prior to the Expiration Date; and
(c) 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, or, in the case of a participant in
the book-entry transfer facility system, an Agent's Message, are received by
the Exchange Agent within three 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 mailed 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, or, in the case of a
participant in the book-entry transfer facility system, an Agent's Message.
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 Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities tendered
pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering holder 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 Corporation and
the Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. The Corporation 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 opinion of counsel to the Corporation and the Trust,
be unlawful. The Corporation 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.
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The interpretation by the Corporation and the Trust 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 Corporation,
the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Corporation 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 Corporation and the
Trust, proper evidence satisfactory to the Corporation and 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.
RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
The Trust is making the Exchange Offer for the New Capital Securities in
reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of
the Commission as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third
parties in other transactions. However, neither the Corporation nor the Trust
sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the staff
of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive
letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two
immediately following sentences, the Corporation and the Trust believe that New
Capital Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old
Capital Securities may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred
by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Capital Securities are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holder's business and that such holder is not
participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of
such New Capital Securities. However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who
is an "affiliate" of the Corporation 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 Division
of Corporation Finance 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 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 Corporation or the Trust,
(ii) any New Capital Securities to be received by it are being acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities, and (iv) if such
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holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder 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. In addition, the Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Old 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 acquired the Old Capital
Securities for its own account as the result of market-making activities or
other trading activities and must agree 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 of the Division of Corporation Finance
of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the Corporation
and the Trust believe that Participating 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 Corporation 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 ending 90-days after
the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances
described below) or, if earlier, when all such New Capital Securities have been
disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution."
However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use this Prospectus in
connection with the resale of New Capital Securities received in exchange for
Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the
Corporation or the Trust, or cause the Corporation or the Trust to be notified,
on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer.
Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of
Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses
set forth herein under "--Exchange Agent." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who
is an "affiliate" of the Corporation 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
Corporation 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 New
Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) pursuant to
this Prospectus until the Corporation 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
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Participating Broker-Dealer or the Corporation or the Trust has given notice
that the sale of the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may
be. If the Corporation or the Trust gives such notice to suspend the sale of the
New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, as applicable), it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above
during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this 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 amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the New Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Corporation
or the Trust has given notice that the sale of New Capital Securities (or the
New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, 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 or facsimile
transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at one of its addresses 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 principal 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," 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 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 Trust, in its sole
discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Neither the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Corporation
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 NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted
for exchange will not receive 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 December 20, 1996. Accordingly,
holders of New Capital Securities as of the record date for the payment of
Distributions on June 15, 1997 will be entitled to receive Distributions
accumulated from and after December 20, 1996.
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CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any extension
of the Exchange Offer, the Corporation and 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 any of
the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied:
(a) there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by the
staff of the Commission 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 Corporation 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; or
(b) any law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or
enacted which, in the judgment of the Corporation or the Trust, would
reasonably be expected to impair its ability to proceed with the Exchange
Offer; or
(c) a stop order shall have been issued by the Commission or any state
securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of
the Corporation or the Trust, threatened for that purpose or any
governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval the Corporation
or the Trust shall, in its sole discretion, deem necessary for the
consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby.
If the Corporation or the Trust determines in its sole and absolute
discretion that any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists
or has not been satisfied, it 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 Corporation or the
Trust will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment by means of a prospectus
supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the Old Capital
Securities and 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 Letters 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, by registered or certified mail or by hand or overnight delivery, as
follows:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 7 East
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Enrique Lopez
Reorganization Section
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(212) 815-2742
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS:
(ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
(212) 571-3080
Delivery to other than the above addresses or facsimile number will not
constitute a valid delivery.
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FEES AND EXPENSES
The Corporation 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 Corporation 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.
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 Corporation nor the Trust will make any payment to brokers,
dealers or other nominees soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.
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DESCRIPTION OF NEW SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust has issued the Old
Capital Securities and the Common Securities and will issue the New Capital
Securities. The New Capital Securities will represent preferred beneficial
interests in the Trust and the holders of the New Capital Securities and the Old
Capital Securities will be entitled to a preference over the Common Securities
in certain circumstances with respect to Distributions and amounts payable on
redemption of the Trust Securities or liquidation of the Trust. See
"--Subordination of Common Securities." The Trust Agreement has been qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").
This summary of certain provisions of the New Capital Securities and the Trust
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Trust Agreement,
including the definitions therein of certain terms.
GENERAL. The Capital Securities (including the Old Capital Securities and
the New Capital Securities) are limited to $210,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
Amount at any one time outstanding. The Capital Securities will rank PARI PASSU,
and payments will be made thereon PRO RATA, with the Old Capital Securities and
the Common Securities except as described under "--Subordination of Common
Securities." Legal title to the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be held by
the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities. The New Guarantee will be a guarantee on a
subordinated basis but will not guarantee payment of Distributions or amounts
payable on redemption of the New Capital Securities or on liquidation of the
Trust when the Trust does not have funds on hand legally available for such
payments. See "--Description of New Guarantee."
DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be
cumulative, will accumulate from December 20, 1996 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing
June 15, 1997, at the annual rate of 8.197% of the Liquidation Amount to the
holders of the New Capital Securities on the relevant record dates. The record
dates will be the first day of the month in which the relevant Distribution Date
(as defined below) falls. The amount of Distributions payable for any period
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the
event that any date on which Distributions are payable on the New Capital
Securities is not a Business Day (as defined below), 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 to any such delay), in
each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date (each date on
which Distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing, a
"Distribution Date"). A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday
or a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are
authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.
So long as no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Corporation will have the right under the Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or
from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods
with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may
extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon any such election, semi-annual
Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be deferred by the Trust during
any such Extension Period. Distributions to which holders of the New Capital
Securities are entitled during any such Extension Period will accumulate
additional Distributions thereon at the rate per annum of 8.197% thereof,
compounded semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Date, but not exceeding
the interest rate then accruing on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures. The
term "Distributions," as used herein, shall include any such additional
Distributions.
Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Corporation may
further extend such Extension Period, provided that such extension does not
cause such Extension Period to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or to
extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, and subject to the
foregoing
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limitations, the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period. The
Corporation must give the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the
Debenture Trustee notice of its election of any such Extension Period at least
five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the
New Capital Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin
such Extension Period or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees are required
to give notice to any securities exchange or to holders of such New Capital
Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable but in
any event not less than five Business Days prior to such record date. There is
no limitation on the number of times that the Corporation may elect to begin an
Extension Period. See "--Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."
During any such Extension Period, the Corporation may not (i) declare or pay
any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock
(which includes common and preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase or redeem
any debt securities of the Corporation (including Other Debentures) that rank
PARI PASSU with or junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks PARI PASSU with or junior
in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a)
dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholders' 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, (c)
payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a result of a reclassification of the
Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class, or
series of the Corporation's capital stock for another class or series of the
Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares
of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,
and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or
rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans for its directors, officers
or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans).
Although the Corporation may in the future exercise its option to defer
payments of interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Corporation
has no such current intention.
The revenue of the Trust available for distribution to holders of the
Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures in which the Trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance and
sale of the Trust Securities. See "--Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures--General." If the Corporation does not make interest payments on the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not have funds
available to pay Distributions on the New Capital Securities. The payment of
Distributions (if and to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally
available for the payment of such Distributions) will be guaranteed by the
Corporation on a limited basis as set forth herein under "--Description of New
Guarantee."
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE MATURITY AND SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION. If a
Tax Event (as defined below) occurs, then the Corporation will have the right
(i) prior to the termination of the Trust, to advance the Stated Maturity Date
of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but
not less than 30 years from the date of original issuance thereof, or (ii) to
terminate the Trust (if not previously terminated) and advance the Stated
Maturity Date of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent
required, but not less than 40 years from the date of original issuance thereof,
in each case such that in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced
in such matters, after advancing the maturity date, interest paid on the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be deductible for federal income tax
purposes (the action referred to in either clause (i) or (ii) above being
referred to as a "Tax Event Maturity Advancement").
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If a Tax Event occurs and in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation
experienced in such matters, there would be in all cases, after effecting a Tax
Event Maturity Advancement, be more than an insubstantial risk that an Adverse
Tax Consequence (as defined below) would continue to exist, or, if an Investment
Company Event (as defined in "--Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures-- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event
Prepayment") occurs, then the Corporation shall have the right, within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Tax Event or Investment Company Event, as the
case may be, to redeem the New Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not
in part) in the manner and at the price determined as set forth under
"--Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--Conditional Right to
Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment," and therefore to cause a
mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities prior to the Stated Maturity Date
(the circumstances under which the Corporation has the right to so redeem the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures in connection with a Tax Event being referred
to herein as a "Conditional Tax Redemption Event"). Each of a Conditional Tax
Redemption Event or an Investment Company Event are sometimes referred to herein
as a "Special Event."
A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Corporation and the Trust of an
opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or
as a result of any administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of issuance of the Old Capital Securities under the Trust Agreement, or as a
result of a final determination, as evidenced by the execution of a Form 870 AD,
arising from an audit or examination by the Internal Revenue Service, there is
more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days
of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with
respect to income received or accrued on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures,
(ii) interest payable by the Corporation on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures is not, or within 90 days of such opinion, will not be, deductible by
the Corporation, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax
purposes or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such
opinion, subject to more than a DE MINIMIS amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges (each of the circumstances referred to in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence").
REDEMPTION. Upon the repayment on the Stated Maturity Date or prepayment
prior to the Stated Maturity Date of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
proceeds from such repayment or prepayment shall be applied by the Property
Trustee to redeem a Like Amount (as defined below) of the New Capital
Securities, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of a date of
redemption (the "Redemption Date"), at the applicable Redemption Price, which
shall be equal to (i) in the case of the repayment of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures on the Stated Maturity Date, the Maturity Redemption
Price (equal to the principal of, and accrued interest on, the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures), (ii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special
Event, the Special Event Redemption Price (equal to the Special Event Prepayment
Price in respect of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures) and (iii) in the
case of the optional prepayment of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures other
than as contemplated in clause (ii) above, the Optional Redemption Price (equal
to the Optional Prepayment Price in respect of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures). See "--Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--Optional
Prepayment" and "--Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event
Prepayment."
"Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal
amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be paid in accordance with their
terms and (ii) with respect to a distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures
upon the liquidation of the Trust, Junior Subordinated Debentures having a
principal amount equal to the
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Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the holder to whom such Junior
Subordinated Debentures are distributed.
The Corporation will have the option to prepay the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (i) in whole or in part, on or after December 15, 2006, at the
applicable Optional Prepayment Price and (ii) in whole but not in part, at any
time, upon the occurrence of a Special Event, at the Special Event Prepayment
Price.
LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES. The Corporation will have the right at any time to dissolve the
Trust and cause the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the
holders of the New Capital Securities in liquidation of the Trust. Such right is
subject to the Corporation having received an opinion of counsel to the effect
that such distribution will not be a taxable event to holders of New Capital
Securities.
The Trust shall automatically dissolve upon the first to occur of: (i)
certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation;
(ii) the distribution of a Like Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to
the holders of the Trust Securities, if the Corporation, as Sponsor, has given
written direction to the Property Trustee to terminate the Trust (which
direction is optional and, except as described above, wholly within the
discretion of the Corporation, as Sponsor); (iii) redemption of all of the Trust
Securities in accordance with their terms; (iv) expiration of the term of the
Trust; and (v) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by a court
of competent jurisdiction.
If a dissolution occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iv) or (v) above,
the Trust shall be liquidated by the Issuer Trustees as expeditiously as the
Issuer Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, to the
holders of the New Capital Securities a Like Amount of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures, unless such distribution is determined by the Property
Trustee not to be practicable, in which event such holders will be entitled to
receive out of the assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to
holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided
by applicable law, an amount equal to the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount
plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such
amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If such Liquidation Distribution
can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets on hand
legally available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then
the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities shall be paid on a PRO RATA basis, except that if a Debenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall
have a priority over the Common Securities. See "--Subordination of Common
Securities." If an early dissolution occurs as described in clause (v) above,
the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subject to optional prepayment,
in whole but not in part, on or after December 15, 2006.
If the Corporation elects not to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures
prior to maturity in accordance with their terms and either elects not to or is
unable to liquidate the Trust and distribute the Junior Subordinated Debentures
to holders of the Trust Securities, the Trust Securities will remain outstanding
until the repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Stated Maturity
Date.
After the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of Junior
Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Trust Securities, (i) the Trust
Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) each registered
global certificate, if any, representing Trust Securities and held by DTC or its
nominee will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be delivered upon such
distribution and (iii) any certificates representing New Capital Securities not
held by DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent New Junior Subordinated
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of such
Trust Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to
the accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Trust Securities until such
certificates are presented to the Administrative Trustees or their agent for
cancellation,
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whereupon the Corporation will issue to such holder, and the Debenture Trustee
will authenticate, a certificate representing such New Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the New Capital
Securities or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for the New Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the New Capital Securities that an investor
may purchase, or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures that the investor may
receive on dissolution and liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to
the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities.
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES. If applicable, New Capital Securities shall be
redeemed at the applicable Redemption Price with the proceeds from the
contemporaneous repayment or prepayment of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures. Any redemption of Trust Securities shall be made and the applicable
Redemption Price shall be payable on the Redemption Date only to the extent that
the Trust has funds legally available for the payment of such applicable
Redemption Price. See also "--Subordination of Common Securities."
If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the New Capital
Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date, to
the extent funds are legally available, with respect to the New Capital
Securities held by DTC or its nominees, the Property Trustee will deposit
irrevocably with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price.
See "--Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer." With respect to
the New Capital Securities held in certificated form, the Property Trustee, to
the extent funds are legally available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying
agent for the New Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable
Redemption Price and will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and
authority to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon
surrender of their certificates evidencing the New Capital Securities. See
"--Payment and Paying Agency." Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions
payable on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the holders of
such New Capital Securities on the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of the
holders of the New Capital Securities will cease, except the right of the
holders of the New Capital Securities to receive the applicable Redemption
Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and the New Capital
Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any Redemption Date
of New Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then the applicable Redemption
Price payable on such date will be paid on the next succeeding day that is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. In
the event that payment of the applicable Redemption Price is improperly withheld
or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Corporation pursuant to
the New Guarantee as described under "--Description of New Guarantee,"
Distributions on New Capital Securities will continue to accumulate at the then
applicable rate, from the Redemption Date originally established by the Trust to
the date such applicable Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the
actual payment date will be the Redemption Date for purposes of calculating the
applicable Redemption Price.
Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
federal securities law), the Corporation 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.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30-days but not more than
60-days prior to the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust Securities at its
registered address. Unless the Corporation defaults in payment of the applicable
Prepayment Price on, or in the repayment of, the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
on and after the Redemption Date Distributions will cease to accrue on the Trust
Securities called for redemption.
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES. Payment of Distributions on, and the
Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, as
applicable, shall be made PRO RATA based on the
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Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities;
provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date a
Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of
any Distribution on, or applicable Redemption Price of, any of the Common
Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or
other acquisition of the Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full
in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all of the outstanding
Capital Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto,
or in the case of payment of the applicable Redemption Price the full amount of
such Redemption Price, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds
available to the Property 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.
In the case of any Event of Default, the Corporation as holder of the Common
Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to such
Event of Default until the effect of such Event of Default shall have been
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until any such Event of Default has been
so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely
on behalf of the holders of the Capital Securities and not on behalf of the
Corporation as holder of the Common Securities, and only the holders of the
Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on
their behalf.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE. The occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default
(see "Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures Debenture Events of
Default") constitutes an "Event of Default" under the Trust Agreement.
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit
notice of such Event of Default to the holders of the Capital Securities, the
Administrative Trustees and the Corporation, as Sponsor, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived. The Corporation, as Sponsor, and the
Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with the Property Trustee
a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Trust Agreement.
If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital
Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities as described under
"--Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures" and "--Subordination of Common Securities."
REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES. Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, any Issuer Trustee may be removed at any time by the
holder of the Common Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed
at such time by the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the
outstanding Capital Securities. In no event will the holders of the Capital
Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the
Administrative Trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the
Corporation 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 Trust Agreement.
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ISSUER TRUSTEES. Any corporation into which the
Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any Administrative Trustee that is not
a natural person may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Issuer Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such
Issuer Trustee, shall be the successor of such Issuer Trustee under the Trust
Agreement, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST. The
Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other Person, except as
described below.
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The Trust may, at the request of the Corporation, as Sponsor, with the consent
of the Administrative Trustees but without the consent of the Property Trustee,
the Delaware Trustee or the holders of the Capital Securities, merge with or
into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease
its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to a
trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided, that (i) such
successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Trust with respect to the Capital Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Capital
Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank
the same as the Capital Securities rank in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) the
Corporation expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing the
same powers and duties as the Property Trustee with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities are listed, or any
Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any
national securities exchange or other organization on which Capital Securities
are then listed, if any, (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease 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, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Capital
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect, (vi)
such successor entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust, (vii) prior
to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer
or lease, the Corporation has received an opinion from independent counsel to
the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that (a) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the
Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect,
and (b) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the Trust nor such successor entity will
be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act and (viii) the Corporation or any permitted successor or assignee owns all
of the common securities of such successor entity and guarantees the obligations
of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent
provided by the Guarantee. 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 or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to any other entity or permit any other entity to
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such
consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease
would cause the Trust or the successor entity not to be classified as a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT. Except as provided below
and under "--Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the
Trust" and "--Description of New Guarantee-- Amendments and Assignment" and as
otherwise required by law and the Trust Agreement, the holders of the New
Capital Securities will have no voting rights.
The Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Corporation, the
Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the
holders of the Trust Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement
any provisions in the Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other
provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the Trust Agreement, which shall not be inconsistent with the
other provisions of the Trust Agreement, or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to
any provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to
ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are
outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
in the case of clause (i), such action shall not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of the holders of the Trust Securities, and any
amendments of the Trust Agreement shall become effective when notice thereof is
sent to the holders of the Trust Securities. The Trust Agreement may be amended
by
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the Issuer Trustees and the Corporation (i) with the consent of holders
representing a majority (based upon Liquidation Amount) of the outstanding Trust
Securities, and (ii) upon receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted
to the Issuer Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the
Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes
or the Trust's exemption from status as an "investment company" under the
Investment Company Act, provided that, without the consent of each holder of
Trust Securities, the Trust Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the
amount or timing of any Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise
adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect
of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of a
holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment on or after such date; it being understood that the New Capital
Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after
consummation of 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 Trust Agreement.
So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities, the Issuer
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or execute any
trust or power conferred on such Property Trustee with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive certain past defaults under the Indenture,
(iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of
the maturity of the principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iv)
consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without,
in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in
Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each
holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall
be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each holder of
the Capital Securities. The Issuer Trustees shall not revoke any action
previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of the Capital
Securities except by subsequent vote of such holders. The Property Trustee shall
notify each holder of Capital Securities of any notice of default with respect
to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing
approvals of such holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the
foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust will not be classified
as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes on account of such action.
Any required approval of holders of New Capital Securities may be given at a
meeting of such holders convened for such purpose or pursuant to written
consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which
holders of New 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 given to
each holder of record of New Capital Securities in the manner set forth in the
Trust Agreement.
No vote or consent of the holders of New Capital Securities will be required
for the Trust to redeem and cancel the New Capital Securities in accordance with
the Trust Agreement.
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 Corporation, the Issuer Trustees or any
affiliate of the Corporation or any Issuer Trustee, shall, for purposes of such
vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
FORM, DENOMINATION, BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND TRANSFER. The New Capital
Securities initially will be represented by one or more Capital Securities
certificates in registered, global form (collectively, the "Global Capital
Securities"). The Global Capital Securities will be deposited upon issuance with
the Property Trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered
in the name of DTC or its
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nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect
participant in DTC as described below.
Except as set forth below, the Global Capital Securities may be transferred,
in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of
DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities may
not be exchanged for Capital Securities in certificated form except in the
limited circumstances described below.
DTC has advised the Trust and the Corporation that DTC is a limited purpose
trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations
(collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants
include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchasers),
banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.
Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively,
the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially
own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest
of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are
recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised the Trust and the Corporation that, pursuant to
procedures established by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Capital Securities,
DTC will credit the accounts of Participants with portions of the Liquidation
Amount of the Global Capital Securities and (ii) ownership of such interests in
the Global Capital Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect
to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with
respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital
Securities).
Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global
Capital Securities will not have Capital Securities registered in their name,
will not receive physical delivery of Capital Securities in certificated form
and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the
Trust Agreement for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the Global Capital Security registered in the name of
DTC or its nominee will be payable by the Property Trustee to DTC in its
capacity as the registered holder under the Trust Agreement. Under the terms of
the Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee will treat the persons in whose names
the Capital Securities, including the Global Capital Securities, are registered
as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and
all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Property Trustee nor
any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any
aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in the Global
Capital Securities, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's
records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to the
beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities or (ii) any other matter
relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or
Indirect Participants. DTC has advised the Trust and the Corporation that its
current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as
the Capital Securities, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants
with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their
respective holdings in Liquidation Amount of beneficial interests in the
relevant security as shown on the records of DTC unless DTC has reason to
believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by the
Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of New
Capital Securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect
Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Property Trustee,
the Trust or the Corporation. Neither the Trust or the Corporation nor the
Property Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants
in identifying the beneficial owners of the New Capital Securities, and the
Trust, the Corporation and the
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Property Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on
instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities will trade in DTC's
Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such
interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all
cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its participants.
DTC has advised the Trust and the Corporation that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a holder of New Capital Securities only at the
direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the
Global Capital Securities are credited and only in respect of such portion of
the Liquidation Amount of the New Capital Securities as to which such
Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there
is an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement, DTC reserves the right to
exchange the Global Capital Securities for New Capital Securities in
certificated form and to distribute such New Capital Securities to its
Participants.
The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system has
been obtained from sources that the Trust and the Corporation believe to be
reliable, but neither the Trust nor the Corporation takes responsibility for the
accuracy thereof.
A Global Capital Security is exchangeable for New Capital Securities in
registered certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Trust that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Capital Security
and the Trust thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90-days
or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act,
(ii) the Corporation in its sole discretion elects to cause the issuance of the
New Capital Securities in certificated form or (iii) there shall have occurred
and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse
of time or both would be an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. In
addition, beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security may be exchanged for
certificated New Capital Securities upon request but only upon at least 20-days
prior written notice given to the Property Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in
accordance with customary procedures. In all cases, certificated New Capital
Securities delivered in exchange for any Global Capital Security or beneficial
interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved
denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with
its customary procedures), unless the Property Trustee determines otherwise in
compliance with applicable law.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY. Payments in respect of the New Capital
Securities held in global form shall be made to the Depositary, which shall
credit the relevant accounts at the Depositary on the applicable Distribution
Dates or in respect of the New Capital Securities that are not held by the
Depositary, such payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the
holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the register. The paying
agent (the "Paying Agent") shall initially be the Property Trustee and any
co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee and acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees and the Corporation. The Paying Agent shall be permitted
to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days written notice to the Property Trustee
and the Corporation. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be
the Paying Agent, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a successor (which
shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and
the Corporation) to act as Paying Agent.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT. The Property Trustee will act as registrar
and transfer agent for the New Capital Securities.
Registration of transfers of the New Capital Securities will be effected
without charge by or on behalf of the Trust, but upon payment of any tax or
other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer
or exchange. The Trust will not be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of the New Capital Securities after they have been
called for redemption.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE. The Property Trustee, other
than during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, undertakes to
perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Trust Agreement
and, after such Event of Default, must exercise the same degree of care and
skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own
affairs. Subject to this provision, the Property Trustee is under no obligation
to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Trust Agreement at the request
of any holder of Trust Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If
no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Property Trustee is
required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous
provisions in the Trust Agreement or is unsure of the application of any
provision of the Trust Agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of
the Capital Securities or the Common Securities are entitled under the Trust
Agreement to vote, then the Property Trustee shall take such action as is
directed by the Corporation and if not so directed, shall take such action as it
deems advisable and in the best interests of the holders of the Trust Securities
and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful
misconduct.
MISCELLANEOUS. The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to
conduct the affairs of and to operate the Trust in such a way that the Trust
will not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under
the Investment Company Act or classified as an association taxable as a
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Corporation
and the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of the Trust or the
Trust Agreement, that the Corporation and the Administrative Trustees determine
in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as
such action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of
the Trust Securities.
Holders of the Trust Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
The Trust may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge any
of its assets.
DESCRIPTION OF NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The Old Junior Subordinated Debentures were issued and the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be issued as separate series under the Indenture.
The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of
certain terms and provisions of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the
Indenture does not purport to be complete, and where reference is made to
particular provisions of the Indenture, such provisions, including the
definitions of certain terms, some of which are not otherwise defined herein,
are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the
Indenture and those terms made a part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture
Act.
GENERAL. Concurrently with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, the
Trust invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Corporation for the Common Securities, in Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
issued by the Corporation. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Corporation will
exchange the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, in an amount corresponding to
the Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal
amount of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures as soon as practicable after
the date hereof.
The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will bear interest at the annual rate
of 8.197% of the principal amount thereof, payable semi-annually in arrears on
June 15 and December 15 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing June 15, 1997, to the person in whose name each New Junior
Subordinated Debenture is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the
close of business on the first day of the month in which the relevant payment
date falls. It is anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of the Trust,
each New Junior Subordinated Debenture will be held in the name of the Property
Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities. The
amount of interest payable for
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any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures 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), in each case with the same force and effect as if made the date such
payment was originally payable. Accrued interest that is not paid on the
applicable Interest Payment Date will bear additional interest on the amount
thereof (to the extent permitted by law) at the rate per annum of 8.197%
thereof, compounded semi-annually. The term "interest", as used herein, shall
include semi-annual interest payments, interest on semi-annual interest payments
not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date and Additional Sums (as defined
below), as applicable.
The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on December 15, 2045 (the
"Stated Maturity Date"). The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank PARI
PASSU with the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and with all Other Debentures
and will be 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.
See "-- Subordination." Because the Corporation is a holding company, the right
of the Corporation to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise
(and thus the ability of holders of the Capital Securities to benefit indirectly
from such distribution), is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the
subsidiary, except to the extent the Corporation may itself be recognized as a
creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Corporation's subsidiaries, and holders of New Junior Subordinated Debentures
should look only to the assets of the Corporation for payments on the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures. In addition, since many of the Corporation's
subsidiaries are insurance companies subject to regulatory control by various
state insurance departments, the ability of such subsidiaries to pay dividends
to the Corporation without prior regulatory approval is limited by applicable
laws and regulations. The Indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance of
other secured or unsecured debt of the Corporation, including Senior
Indebtedness. See "--Subordination."
FORM, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER. If the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
are distributed to holders of the Trust Securities, such New Junior Subordinated
Debentures may be represented by one or more global certificates registered in
the name of Cede & Co. as the nominee of DTC. The depositary arrangements for
such New Junior Subordinated Debentures are expected to be substantially similar
to those in effect for the New Capital Securities. For a description of DTC and
the terms of the depositary arrangements relating to payments, transfers, voting
rights, redemptions and other notices and other matters, see "--Description of
New Capital Securities--Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer."
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS. Payment of principal of and any interest on New
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be made at the office of the Debenture
Trustee in The City of New York or at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying
Agents as the Corporation may designate from time to time, except that at the
option of the Corporation payment of any interest may be made, except in the
case of New Junior Subordinated Debentures in global form, (i) by check mailed
to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in
the register for the New Junior Subordinated Debentures or (ii) by transfer to
an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in such
register, provided that proper transfer instructions have been received by the
relevant Record Date. Payment of any interest on any New Junior Subordinated
Debenture will be made to the Person in whose name such New Junior Subordinated
Debenture is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such
interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. The Corporation may at any
time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying
Agent; however, the Corporation will at all times be required to maintain a
Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
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Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Corporation in trust, for the payment of the principal of or
interest on any New Junior Subordinated Debenture and remaining unclaimed for
two years after such principal or interest has become due and payable shall, at
the request of the Corporation, be repaid to the Corporation and the holder of
such New Junior Subordinated Debenture shall thereafter look, as a general
unsecured creditor, only to the Corporation for payment thereof.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT DATE. So long as no Debenture Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Corporation will have the right
under the Indenture at any time during the term of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures to defer the payment of interest at any time or from time to time for
a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each
Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated
Maturity Date. At the end of such Extension Period, the Corporation must pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual
rate of 8.197%, compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable
law). During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue and holders
of New Junior Subordinated Debentures (and holders of the Trust Securities while
Trust Securities are outstanding) will be required to accrue interest income for
United States federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of cash
attributable to such income. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."
During any such Extension Period, the Corporation may not (i) declare or pay
any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock
(which includes common and preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities of the Corporation (including any Other Debentures) that rank
PARI PASSU with or junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation
(including any Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks PARI PASSU with or
junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than
(a) dividends or distributions in shares of or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholders' 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, (c)
payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a result of a reclassification of the
Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series
of the Corporation's capital stock for another class or series of the
Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares
of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,
and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or
rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans for its directors, officers
or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans).
Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Corporation may
further extend such Extension Period, provided that such extension does not
cause such Extension Period to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or to
extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment
Date, the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the
above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension
Period, except at the end thereof. The Corporation must give the Property
Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Debenture Trustee notice of its
election of any Extension Period (or an extension thereof) at least five
Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the
Trust Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin or
extend such Extension Period or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees are
required to give notice to any securities exchange or to holders of New Capital
Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in
any event not less than five Business Days prior to such record date. The
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Debenture Trustee shall give notice of the Corporation's election to begin or
extend a new Extension Period to the holders of the Capital Securities. There is
no limitation on the number of times that the Corporation may elect to begin an
Extension Period.
OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT. The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
prepayable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Corporation on or after
December 15, 2006, at a prepayment price (the "Optional Prepayment Price") equal
to the outstanding principal amount of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to
be redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment.
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE MATURITY AND SPECIAL EVENT PREPAYMENT. If a
Tax Event occurs, then the Corporation will have the right (i) prior to the
termination of the Trust, to advance the Stated Maturity Date of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but not less than 30
years from the date of original issuance thereof, or (ii) to terminate the Trust
(if not previously terminated) and advance the Stated Maturity Date of the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required, but not less than
40 years for the date of original issuance thereof, in each case such that in
the opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters, after
advancing the maturity date, interest paid on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be deductible for federal income tax purposes.
If a Special Event (as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, the
Corporation may, at its option, prepay the New Junior Subordinated Debentures in
whole (but not in part) at any time within 90-days of the occurrence of such
Special Event, at a prepayment price (the "Special Event Prepayment Price")
equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such Junior
Subordinated Debentures or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of
the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest
thereon to December 15, 2006, the first date on which the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are subject to optional prepayment, discounted to the prepayment date
on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, accrued interest
thereon to the date of prepayment.
A "Special Event" means a Conditional Tax Redemption Event (as defined under
"Description of New Securities--Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and
Special Event Redemption), or an Investment Company Event (as defined below), as
the case may be.
"Investment Company Event" means that the Corporation shall have received an
opinion of an independent counsel experienced in practice under the Investment
Company Act to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law
or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation
by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a
"Change in Investment Company Act Law"), there is more than insubstantial risk
that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" which is
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in
Investment Company Act Law becomes effective on or after December 20, 1996.
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any prepayment date, the
rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such prepayment date plus (i) 1.00% if such prepayment date
occurs on or prior to December 15, 1997 and (ii) 0.50% in all other cases.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining
term to the Stated Maturity Date of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
prepaid that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with
customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities
of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
"Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the
Debenture Trustee after consultation with the Corporation. "Reference Treasury
Dealer" means: (i) Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
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Securities Corporation and its successors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New
York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the Corporation shall substitute
therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury
Dealer selected by the Debenture Trustee after consultation with the
Corporation.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any prepayment date, (i)
the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
Business Day preceding such prepayment date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, (A) the average
of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such prepayment date, after
excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or
(B) if the Debenture Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any prepayment date, the average, as determined by the
Debenture Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Debenture Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date.
"Additional Sums" means the additional amounts as may be necessary in order
that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by the Trust on the
outstanding Capital Securities and Common Securities shall not be reduced as a
result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which
the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event.
Notice of any prepayment will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60-days before the redemption date to each holder of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be prepaid at its registered address. Unless the Corporation
defaults in payment of the prepayment price, on and after the prepayment date
interest ceases to accrue on such New Junior Subordinated Debentures called for
prepayment.
If the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties or other
governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Corporation will pay as
additional amounts on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures the Additional
Sums.
RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS. The Corporation will also covenant that
if at any time (1) there shall have occurred any event of which the Corporation
has actual knowledge that (x) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of
time, or both, would be, a Debenture Event of Default and (y) in respect of
which the Corporation shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) the
Corporation shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations
under the New Guarantee and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by
the Trust or (3) the Corporation shall have given notice of its election of an
Extension Period as provided in the Indenture and shall not have rescinded such
notice, and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall have
commenced, then the Corporation will not, (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock (which includes common
and preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium,
if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the
Corporation (including Other Debentures) that rank PARI PASSU with or junior in
right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iii) make any
guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Corporation of the debt
securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation (including under Other
Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks PARI PASSU or junior in right of payment to
the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or
purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder's rights plan,
or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights
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pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a result of a
reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock for another
class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans
for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend
reinvestment plans).
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE. From time to time the Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee may, without the consent of the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture for specified purposes,
including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies
(provided that any such action does not materially adversely affect the interest
of the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures) and qualifying, or maintaining
the qualification of, the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Indenture
contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee, with
the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of Junior
Subordinated Debentures, to modify the Indenture in a manner affecting the
rights of the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, that no such
modification may, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding Junior
Subordinated Debenture so affected, (i) change the Stated Maturity, or reduce
the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon or (ii) reduce the percentage of
principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such modification of the Indenture.
DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The Indenture provides that any one or more of
the following described events with respect to the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures constitutes a "Debenture Event of Default" (whatever the reason for
such Debenture Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary
or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order
of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body):
(i) failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures or any Other Debentures when due (subject to the
deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or
(ii) failure to pay any principal on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures or any Other Debentures when due whether at maturity, upon
redemption, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise; or
(iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect certain other
covenants contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to the
Corporation from the Debenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate outstanding principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures; or
(iv) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Corporation.
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture
Trustee. The Debenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may declare
the principal due and payable immediately upon a Debenture Event of Default. The
holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures may annul such declaration and waive the default if the
default (other than the non-payment of the principal of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration) has been cured and
a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee.
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The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf of the holders of
all the Junior Subordinated Debentures, waive any past default, except a default
in the payment of principal or interest (unless such default has been cured and
a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or
a default in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Junior Subordinated Debenture.
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES. If a
Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and shall be
attributable to the failure of the Corporation to pay principal of or interest
on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures on the due date, a holder of New
Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action. The Corporation may not amend
the Indenture to remove the foregoing right to bring a Direct Action without the
prior written consent of the holders of all of the New Capital Securities. If
the right to bring a Direct Action is removed following the Exchange Offer, the
Trust may become subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of New Capital Securities by the
Corporation in connection with a Direct Action, the Corporation shall remain
obligated to pay the principal of or interest on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, and the Corporation shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder
of such New Capital Securities with respect to payments on the New Capital
Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Corporation to such holder
in any Direct Action.
The holders of the New Capital Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph,
available to the holders of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures unless there
shall have been an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. See "--
Description of New Capital Securities Events of Default; Notice."
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS. The Indenture
provides that the Corporation shall not consolidate with or merge into any other
Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to any Person, and no Person shall consolidate with
or merge into the Corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Corporation,
unless: (i) in case the Corporation consolidates with or merges into another
Person or conveys or transfers its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, the successor Person is organized under the laws of the
United States or any State or the District of Columbia, and such successor
Person expressly assumes the Corporation's obligations on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures; (ii) immediately after giving effect thereto, no
Debenture Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or
both, would become a Debenture Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (iii) certain other conditions as prescribed in the Indenture
are met.
The general provisions of the Indenture do not afford holders of the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or
other transaction involving the Corporation that may adversely affect holders of
the New Junior Subordinated Debentures.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE. The Indenture provides that when, among other
things, all New Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the
Debenture Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will
become due and payable at maturity within one year, and the Corporation deposits
or causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in trust, for the
purpose and in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness
on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the
Debenture Trustee for cancellation, for the principal and interest to the date
of the deposit or to the Stated Maturity Date, as the case may be, then the
Indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to the Corporation'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
Corporation will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the Indenture.
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SUBORDINATION. In the Indenture, the Corporation has covenanted and agreed
that any Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right
of payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Indenture.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt
restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceeding of the Corporation, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
will first be entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in
respect thereof.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of
such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full before the
holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain
any payment in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
No payments on account of principal or interest in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures may be made if there shall have occurred and be
continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Indebtedness, or an
event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness resulting in the
acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be
pending with respect to any such default.
"Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed,
whether outstanding on the date of execution of the Indenture or thereafter
created, assumed or incurred, unless the terms thereof specifically provide that
it is not superior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
and any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" shall mean any obligation of, or any
obligation guaranteed by, the Corporation for the repayment of borrowed money,
whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written
instruments.
By reason of such subordination, in the event of an insolvency, creditors of
the Corporation who are holders of Senior Indebtedness, as well as certain
general creditors of the Corporation, may recover more, ratably, than the
holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Additionally, the Corporation
currently conducts substantially all of its operations through subsidiaries, and
the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be structurally subordinated
to the creditors of the Corporation's subsidiaries. See "Risk Factors--Ranking
of Subordinated Obligations Under the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated
Debentures."
The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional Senior
Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Corporation. The Corporation expects
from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior
Indebtedness.
GOVERNING LAW. The Indenture and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE. Following the Exchange Offer
and the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, the
Debenture Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and
responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust
Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indenture at the
request of any holder of New Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless offered
reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not required to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of its duties if the Debenture Trustee reasonably believes that
repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.
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DESCRIPTION OF NEW GUARANTEE
The Old Guarantee was executed and delivered by the Corporation concurrently
with the issuance by the Trust of the Old Capital Securities for the benefit of
the holders from time to time of the Old Capital Securities. As soon as
practicable after the date hereof, the Old Guarantee will be exchanged by the
Corporation for the New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders from time to
time of the New Capital Securities. The New Guarantee has been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of certain provisions of the New 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 New Guarantee, including the
definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee
Trustee will hold the New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the New
Capital Securities.
GENERAL. The Corporation will irrevocably agree to pay in full on a
subordinated basis, to the extent set forth herein, the Guarantee Payments (as
defined below) to the holders of the New Capital Securities, as and when due,
regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Trust may
have or assert other than the defense of payment. The following payments with
respect to the New Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of
the Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the New Guarantee: (i)
any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on New Capital
Securities, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available
therefor at such time, (ii) the applicable Redemption Price with respect to New
Capital Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds
on hand legally available therefor at such time, or (iii) upon a voluntary or
involuntary termination and liquidation of the Trust, the lesser of (a) the
Liquidation Distribution and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of New Capital Securities. The
Corporation's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Corporation to the holders of the New
Capital Securities or by causing the Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
The New Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided therein. See "--Status of New
Guarantee". Because the Corporation is a holding company, the right of the
Corporation 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
Corporation may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary.
Accordingly, the Corporation's obligations under the New Guarantee will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Corporation's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the
Corporation for payments thereunder. See "--Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures--General." The New Guarantee does not limit the
incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Corporation,
including Senior Indebtedness, whether under the Indenture, any other indenture
that the Corporation may enter into in the future or otherwise.
The Corporation will, through the New Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, taken together, fully,
irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee all of the Trust's obligations under
the New Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in
conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such
guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the
effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the
Trust's obligations under the New Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among
the New Capital Securities, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New
Guarantee."
STATUS OF THE NEW GUARANTEE. The New Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Corporation and will rank subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness in the same manner as New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, except in the case of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding in
respect of the Corporation, in which case the New Guarantee will rank
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all liabilities (other than Other
Guarantees) of the Corporation.
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The New Guarantee will rank PARI PASSU with the Old Guarantee and with all
Other Guarantees issued by the Corporation. The New Guarantee will constitute a
guarantee of payment and not of collection (I.E., the guaranteed party may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Corporation to enforce its
rights under the New Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding
against any other person or entity). The New Guarantee will be held for the
benefit of the holders of the New Capital Securities. The New Guarantee will not
be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent
not paid by the Trust or upon distribution to the holders of the New Capital
Securities of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Guarantee does not
place a limitation on the amount of additional Senior Indebtedness that may be
incurred by the Corporation. The Corporation expects from time to time to incur
additional indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness.
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT. Except with respect to any changes that do not
materially adversely affect the rights of holders of the New Capital Securities
(in which case no vote will be required), the New Guarantee may not be amended
without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the Liquidation
Amount of such outstanding New Capital Securities. The manner of obtaining any
such approval will be as set forth under "--Description of New Capital
Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement." All guarantees and
agreements contained in the Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors,
assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Corporation and shall
inure to the benefit of the holders of the New Capital Securities then
outstanding.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An event of default under the New Guarantee will occur
upon the failure of the Corporation to perform any of its payment or other
obligations thereunder. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the
New Capital Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee
in respect of the New Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the New Guarantee.
Any holder of the New Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the New Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee
Trustee or any other person or entity.
The Corporation, as guarantor, will be required to file annually with the
New Guarantee Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Corporation is in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the New
Guarantee.
TERMINATION OF THE NEW GUARANTEE. The New Guarantee will terminate and be
of no further force and effect upon full payment of the applicable Redemption
Price of the New Capital Securities, upon full payment of the Liquidation Amount
payable upon liquidation of the Trust or upon distribution of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the New Capital Securities. The New
Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any holder of the New Capital Securities must restore payment
of any sums paid under the New Capital Securities or the New Guarantee.
GOVERNING LAW. The New Guarantee will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. The Guarantee Trustee, other
than during the continuance of a default by the Corporation in performance of
the New Guarantee, will undertake to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in the Guarantee and, during the continuance of such a
default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person
would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this
provision, the Guarantee Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of
the powers vested in it by the New Guarantee at the request of any holder of the
New Capital Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby.
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DESCRIPTION OF OLD SECURITIES
The terms of the Old Securities are identical in all materials respects to
the New Securities, except that (i) the Old Securities have not been registered
under the Securities Act and are entitled to certain rights under the
Registration Rights Agreement (which rights will terminate upon consummation of
the Exchange Offer, except under limited circumstances), (ii) the New Capital
Securities will not contain the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer
restriction and certain other restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old
Capital Securities, (iii) the New Capital Securities will not provide for any
increase in the Distribution rate thereon, (iv) the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures will not contain the $100,000 minimum principal amount transfer
restriction and (v) the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will not provide for
any increase in the interest rate thereon. The Old Securities provide that, in
the event that a registration statement relating to the Exchange Offer has not
been filed by May 19, 1997 and been declared effective by June 18, 1997, or, in
certain limited circumstances, in the event a shelf registration statement (the
"Shelf Registration Statement") with respect to the resale of the Old Capital
Securities is not declared effective by June 18, 1997, then interest will accrue
(in addition to the stated interest rate on the Old Junior Subordinated
Debentures) at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the principal amount of the Old
Junior Subordinated Debentures and Distributions will accrue (in addition to the
stated Distribution rate on the Old Capital Securities) at the rate of 0.25% per
annum on the Liquidation Amount of the Old Capital Securities, for the period
from the occurrence of such event until such time as such required Exchange
Offer is consummated or any required Shelf Registration Statement is effective.
The New Securities are not, and upon consummation of the Exchange Offer the Old
Securities will not be, entitled to any such additional interest or
Distributions. Accordingly, holders of Old Capital Securities should review the
information set forth under "Risk Factors--Certain Consequences of a Failure to
Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of New Securities."
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE
NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE NEW GUARANTEE
FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the New Capital
Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available for the
payment of such Distributions) will be irrevocably guaranteed by the Corporation
as and to the extent set forth under "Description of New Securities--
Description of New Guarantee." Taken together, the Corporation's obligations
under the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Indenture, the Trust Agreement
and the New Guarantee will provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of payments of Distributions and other amounts due on
the New Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in
conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such
guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the
effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the
Trust's obligations under the New Capital Securities. If and to the extent that
the Corporation does not make the required payments on the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not have sufficient funds to make the
related payments, including Distributions, on the New Capital Securities. The
New Guarantee will not cover any such payment when the Trust does not have
sufficient funds on hand legally available therefor. In such event, the remedy
of a holder of New Capital Securities is to institute a Direct Action. The
obligations of the Corporation under the New Guarantee will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness.
SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be sufficient to cover
Distributions and other payments due on the New Capital Securities, primarily
because: (i) the aggregate principal amount or Prepayment Price of the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be equal to the sum of the Liquidation
Amount or
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Redemption Price, as applicable, of the New Capital Securities and Common
Securities, (ii) the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures will match the Distribution rate and
Distribution and other payment dates for the Trust Securities; (iii) the
Corporation shall pay for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of the
Trust except the Trust's obligations to holders of Trust Securities under such
Trust Securities; and (iv) the Trust Agreement provides that the Trust is not
authorized to engage in any activity that is not consistent with the limited
purposes thereof.
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
A holder of any New Capital Security may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the New Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the
Trust or any other person or entity.
A default or event of default under any Senior Indebtedness would not
constitute a default or Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. However, in
the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior Indebtedness,
the subordination provisions of the Indenture provide that no payments may be
made in respect of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures until such Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder has been
cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on New Junior Subordinated
Debentures would constitute an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement.
LIMITED PURPOSE OF THE TRUST
The Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing and selling the Trust
Securities, using the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire
the Junior Subordinated Debentures and engaging in only those other activities
necessary, advisable or incidental thereto. The New Capital Securities will
represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust. A principal difference
between the rights of a holder of a New Capital Security and a holder of a New
Junior Subordinated Debenture is that a holder of a New Junior Subordinated
Debenture will be entitled to receive from the Corporation the principal amount
of and interest on New Junior Subordinated Debentures held, while a holder of
New Capital Securities is entitled to receive Distributions from the Trust (or,
in certain circumstances, from the Corporation under the New Guarantee) if and
to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available for the payment of
such Distributions.
RIGHTS UPON DISSOLUTION
Unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of the
Trust Securities, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution and liquidation
of the Trust, the holders of the Trust Securities will be entitled to receive,
out of assets held by the Trust, the Liquidation Distribution in cash. See
"Description of New Securities--Description of New Capital
Securities--Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures." Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of the
Corporation, the Property Trustee, as holder of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Corporation, subordinated in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness as set forth in the Indenture, but
entitled to receive payment in full of principal and interest, before any
stockholders of the Corporation receive payments or distributions. Since the
Corporation will be the guarantor under the New Guarantee and will agree to pay
for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust (other than the Trust's
obligations to the holders of its Trust Securities), the positions of a holder
of New Capital Securities and a holder of New Junior Subordinated Debentures
relative to stockholders of the Corporation in the event of liquidation or
bankruptcy of the Corporation are expected to be substantially the same.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
In the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, counsel to the Corporation and
the Trust ("Tax Counsel"), the following is a summary of certain of the material
United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Capital Securities held as capital assets by a holder. This
summary only addresses the tax consequences to a holder that acquired the Old
Capital Securities upon initial issuance at their original offering price. It
does not deal with special classes of holders such as banks, thrifts, real
estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies,
dealers in securities or currencies, tax-exempt investors, or persons that will
hold the Capital Securities as a position in a "straddle," as part of a
"synthetic security" or "hedge," as part of a "conversion transaction" or other
integrated investment, or as other than a capital asset. This summary also does
not address the tax consequences to persons that have a functional currency
other than the U.S. dollar or the tax consequences to stockholders, partners or
beneficiaries of a holder of Capital Securities. Further, it does not include
any description of any alternative minimum tax consequences or the tax laws of
any state or local government or of any foreign government that may be
applicable to the Capital Securities. This summary is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations thereunder
and the administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, as of the date
hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
The exchange of Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities will not
be a taxable event to holders for United States federal income tax purposes. The
exchange of Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will not be treated as an "exchange" for United States federal
income tax purposes because the New Capital Securities should not be considered
to differ materially in kind or extent from the Old Capital Securities and
because the exchange will occur by operation of the terms of the Old Capital
Securities. If, however, the exchange of the Old Capital Securities for the New
Capital Securities were treated as an exchange for United States federal income
tax purposes, such exchange would constitute a recapitalization for federal
income tax purposes. Accordingly, the New Capital Securities will have the same
issue price as the Old Capital Securities, and a holder will have the same
adjusted tax basis and holding period in the New Capital Securities as the
holder had in the Old Capital Securities immediately before the exchange.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
In connection with the issuance of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures,
Tax Counsel has rendered its opinion generally to the effect that, under then
current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Indenture (and
certain other documents), and based on certain facts and assumptions contained
in such opinion, the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures will be classified for
United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the Corporation. An
opinion of Tax Counsel, however, is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service
(the "IRS") or the courts. Prospective investors should note that no rulings
have been or are expected to be sought from the IRS with respect to any of these
issues and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not take contrary
positions. Moreover, no assurance can be given that any of the opinions
expressed herein will not be challenged by the IRS or, if challenged, that such
a challenge would not be successful.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST
In connection with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, Tax Counsel
has rendered its opinion generally to the effect that, under then current law
and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the
Indenture (and certain other documents), and based on certain facts and
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assumptions contained in such opinion, the Trust will be classified for United
States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association
taxable as a corporation. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax
purposes, each holder of Capital Securities generally will be considered the
owner of an undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and each
holder will be required to include in its gross income any interest (or original
issue discount ("OID" accrued) with respect to its allocable share of those
Junior Subordinated Debentures.
INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Under recently issued Treasury regulations (the "Regulations") applicable to
debt instruments issued on or after August 13, 1996, a "remote" contingency that
stated interest will not be timely paid will be ignored in determining whether a
debt instrument is issued with OID. The Corporation believes that the likelihood
of its exercising its option to defer payments of interest is "remote" since
exercising that option would prevent the Corporation from declaring dividends on
any class of its equity securities. Accordingly, the Corporation intends to take
the position, based on the advice of Tax Counsel, that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will not be considered to be issued with OID and, accordingly, stated
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures generally will be taxable to a
holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with
such holder's method of accounting.
Under the Regulations, if the Corporation were to exercise its option to
defer payments of interest, the Junior Subordinated Debentures would at that
time be treated as issued with OID, and all stated interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures would thereafter be treated as OID as long as the Junior
Subordinated Debentures remain outstanding. In such event, all of a holder's
taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures would
thereafter be accounted for on an economic accrual basis regardless of such
holder's method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated interest
would not be reported as taxable income. Consequently, a holder of Capital
Securities would be required to include in gross income OID even though the
Corporation would not make actual cash payments during an Extension Period.
Moreover, under the Regulations, if the option to defer the payment of interest
was determined not to be "remote", the Junior Subordinated Debentures would be
treated as having been originally issued with OID. In such event, all of a
holder's taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures would be accounted for on an economic accrual basis regardless of
such holder's method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated
interest would not be reported as taxable income.
The Regulations have not yet been addressed in any rulings or other
interpretations by the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS could take a
position contrary to Tax Counsel's interpretation herein.
Because income on the Capital Securities will constitute interest or OID,
corporate holders of the Capital Securities will not be entitled to a
dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized with respect
to the Capital Securities.
RECEIPT OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST
The Corporation will have the right at any time to liquidate the Trust and
cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the
Trust Securities. Under current law, such a distribution, for United States
federal income tax purposes, would be treated as a nontaxable event to each
holder, and each holder would receive an aggregate tax basis in the Junior
Subordinated Debentures equal to such holder's aggregate tax basis in its
Capital Securities. A holder's holding period in the Junior Subordinated
Debentures so received in liquidation of the Trust would include the period
during which the Capital Securities were held by such holder. If, however, the
Trust is characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as an
association taxable as a corporation at the time of its dissolution, the
distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may constitute a taxable
event to holders of Capital
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Securities and a holder's holding period in Junior Subordinated Debentures would
begin on the date such Junior Subordinated Debentures were received.
Under certain circumstances described herein (see "Description of New
Securities--Description of New Capital Securities"), the Junior Subordinated
Debentures may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption
distributed to holders in redemption of their Capital Securities. Under current
law, such a redemption would, for United States federal income tax purposes,
constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed Capital Securities, and a
holder could recognize gain or loss as if it sold such redeemed Capital
Securities for cash. See "--Sales of Capital Securities."
SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
A holder that sells Capital Securities will recognize gain or loss equal to
the difference between its adjusted tax basis in the Capital Securities and the
amount realized on the sale of such Capital Securities (other than with respect
to accrued and unpaid interest which has not yet been included in income, which
will be treated as ordinary income). A holder's adjusted tax basis in the
Capital Securities generally will be its initial purchase price increased by OID
(if any) previously includible in such holder's gross income to the date of
disposition and decreased by payments (if any) received on the Capital
Securities in respect of OID. Such gain or loss generally will be a 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.
The Capital Securities may trade at a price that does not accurately reflect
the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying Junior
Subordinated Debentures. A holder who uses the accrual method of accounting for
tax purposes (and a cash method holder, if the Junior Subordinated Debentures
are deemed to have been issued with OID) who disposes of his Capital Securities
between record dates for payments of distributions thereon will be required to
include accrued but unpaid interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures
through the date of disposition in income as ordinary income (I.E., interest or,
possibly, OID), and to add such amount to his adjusted tax basis in his pro rata
share of the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures deemed disposed of. To
the extent the selling price is less than the holder's adjusted tax basis (which
will include all accrued but unpaid interest) 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 LEGISLATION
On March 19, 1996, President Clinton proposed the Proposed Legislation,
which would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a deduction
for interest in respect of certain debt obligations, such as the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, issued on or after December 7, 1995 if such debt
obligations have a maximum term in excess of 20 years and are not shown as
indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet. In addition,
the Proposed Legislation would generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for
interest in respect of certain debt obligations, such as the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, issued on or after December 7, 1995, if such debt obligations have a
weighted average maturity of more than 40 years. On March 29, 1996, Senate
Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. and House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Bill Archer issued the Joint Statement indicating their
intent that the Proposed Legislation, if adopted by either of the tax-writing
committees of Congress, would have an effective date that is no earlier than the
date of "appropriate Congressional action." In addition, subsequent to the
publication of the Joint Statement, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and
Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B. Rangel wrote the Democrat Letters,
which concurred with the view expressed in the Joint Statement. If the
principles contained in the Joint Statement and the Democrat Letters were
followed and if the Proposed Legislation were enacted, such legislation would
not apply to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. There can be no assurance,
however, that the effective date guidance contained in the Joint Statement and
the Democrat Letters will be incorporated into the Proposed Legislation, if
enacted, or that other legislation enacted after the date hereof will not
otherwise adversely
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affect the ability of the Corporation to deduct the interest payable on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a
Tax Event will not occur. The occurrence of a Tax Event may result in the
redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures for cash, in which event the
holders of the Capital Securities would receive cash in redemption of their
Capital Securities. See "Description of New Securities--Description of New
Capital Securities--Redemption" and "Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment."
UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS
For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Alien Holder" is any
corporation, individual, partnership, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder
for United States federal income tax purposes. A "U.S. Holder" is a holder of
Capital Securities who or which is a citizen or individual resident (or is
treated as a citizen or individual resident) of the United States for federal
income tax purposes, a corporation or partnership created or organized (or
treated as created or organized for federal income tax purposes) in or under the
laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or a trust or
estate the income of which is includible in its gross income for federal income
tax purposes without regard to its source. (For taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1996 (or for the immediately preceding taxable year, if the trustee
of a trust so elects), a trust is a U.S. Holder for federal income tax purposes
if, and only if, (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (ii) one or more
United States trustees have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust.) Under present United States federal income tax laws: (i) payments
by the Trust or any of its paying agents to any holder of a Capital Security who
or which is a United States Alien Holder will not be subject to United States
federal withholding tax; provided that, (a) the beneficial owner of the Capital
Security does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote, (b) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security is not a controlled
foreign corporation that is related to the Corporation through stock ownership,
and (c) either (A) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security certifies to the
Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States
holder and provides its name and address or (B) 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 statement has been
received from the beneficial owner by it or by a Financial Institution between
it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the Trust or its agent with a copy
thereof; and (ii) a United States Alien Holder of a Capital Security will not be
subject to United States federal withholding tax on any gain realized upon the
sale or other disposition of a Capital Security.
INFORMATION REPORTING TO HOLDERS
Generally, income on the Capital Securities will be reported to holders on
Forms 1099, which forms should be mailed to holders of Capital Securities by
January 31 following each calendar year.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities may
be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31 percent unless the holder
complies with certain identification requirements. Any withheld amounts will be
allowed as a credit against the holder's United States federal income tax,
provided the required information is provided to the IRS.
THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE
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TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE
EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Corporation, the obligor with respect to the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures held by the Trust, and its affiliates and the Property Trustee may be
considered a "party in interest" (within the meaning of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) or a "disqualified person"
(within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to many employee
benefit plans ("Plans") that are subject to ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the
Code. Any purchaser proposing to acquire New Capital Securities with assets of
any Plan should consult with its counsel. The purchase and/or holding of New
Capital Securities by or on behalf of a Plan that is subject to the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of
Section 4975 of the Code (including individual retirement arrangements and other
plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) and with respect to which the
Corporation, the Property Trustee or any affiliate is a service provider (or
otherwise is a party in interest or a disqualified person) may constitute or
result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code,
unless such New Capital Securities are acquired pursuant to and in accordance
with an applicable exemption, such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption
("PTCE") 84-14 (an exemption for certain transactions entered into at the
direction of an independent qualified professional asset manager), PTCE 91-38
(an exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment
funds), PTCE 90-1 (an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance
company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 95-60 (an exemption for transactions
involving certain insurance company general accounts) or PTCE 95-23 (an
exemption for certain transactions entered into at the direction of an in-house
manager). In addition, as described below, a Plan fiduciary considering the
acquisition of New Capital Securities should be aware that the assets of the
Trust may be considered "plan assets" for ERISA purposes. Therefore, a Plan
fiduciary should consider whether the acquisition of New Capital Securities
could result in a delegation of fiduciary authority to the Property Trustee,
and, if so, whether such a delegation of authority is permissible under the
Plan's governing instrument or any investment management agreement with the
Plan. In making such determination, a Plan fiduciary should note that the
Property Trustee is a U.S. bank qualified to be an investment manager (within
the meaning of section 3(38) of ERISA) to which such a delegation of authority
generally would be permissible under ERISA. Further, prior to an Event of
Default with respect to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property
Trustee will have only limited custodial and ministerial authority with respect
to Trust assets.
Under the U.S. Department of Labor regulations defining "plan assets" for
ERISA purposes (the "Plan Assets Regulations"), the assets of the Trust will be
considered plan assets of Plans owning New Capital Securities unless the
aggregate investment in New Capital Securities by "benefit plan investors" is
not deemed "significant" or the New Capital Securities qualify as "publicly
offered securities" as defined in such Regulations. For this purpose, equity
participation by benefit plan investors will not be considered "significant" on
any date only if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of New Capital
Securities, the aggregate interest in the New Capital Securities held by benefit
plan investors will be less than 25% of the value of the New Capital Securities.
Although it is possible that the equity participation by benefit plan investors
in New Capital Securities on any date will not be "significant" for purposes of
the Plan Assets Regulations, such result cannot be assured.
The New Capital Securities may qualify as "publicly offered securities"
under the Plan Assets Regulations if at the time of the Exchange Offer they are
"widely held" and "freely transferable." Under the Plan Assets Regulations, a
class of securities is "widely held" only if it is a class that is owned by 100
or more investors independent of the issuer and of one another. Although it is
possible that at the time of the Exchange Offer the New Capital Securities will
be "widely held," such result cannot be assured. Whether a security is "freely
transferable" for purposes of the Plan Assets Regulations is a factual question
to be determined on the basis of all relevant facts and circumstances. If at the
time of the Exchange Offer the
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New Capital Securities qualify as "publicly offered securities," the assets of
the Trust should not be "plan assets" with respect to Plans acquiring New
Capital Securities. If at the time of the Exchange Offer the New Capital
Securities do not qualify as "publicly offered securities," the "plan asset"
considerations discussed in the preceding paragraphs could be applicable in
connection with the investment by Plans in the New Capital Securities.
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 Corporation 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 ending 90 days after the Expiration
Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described herein)
or, if earlier, when all such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by
such Participating Broker-Dealer. However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who
intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must notify the Corporation or the Trust, or cause the
Corporation or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date,
that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space
provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to
the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "The Exchange
Offer--Exchange Agent." See "The Exchange Offer-- Resales of New Capital
Securities."
The Corporation or the Trust will not 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.
VALIDITY OF NEW SECURITIES
The validity of the New Guarantee and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be passed upon for the Corporation by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, New York,
New York. Certain matters relating to United States federal income tax
considerations will be passed upon for the Corporation by Willkie Farr &
Gallagher, New York, New York. Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the
validity of the New Capital Securities will be passed upon on behalf of the
Trust by Prickett, Jones, Elliott, Kristol & Schnee, special Delaware counsel to
the Trust.
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EXPERTS
The financial statements and schedules of W.R. Berkley Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the years in the
three year period ended December 31, 1995, and the selected financial data for
each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 1995, included in
the W.R. Berkley Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, incorporated by reference herein and in the registration
statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Such report refers to the Company's adoption of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" on December
31, 1993, and the adoption of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" in
1992.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which is applicable to
the Registrants, reads as follows:
(a) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation, or is serving at the request of the corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually
and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a please of
NOLO CONTENDERE or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action
or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem
proper.
(c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b), or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) (unless ordered by
a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific
case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer,
employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b). Such
determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors by a majority vote
of a quorum consisting of directors who where not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding, of (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if
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obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to
repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section.
Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon
such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems
appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification
or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote
of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in his official capacity while holding such office.
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against 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 corporation would have the power to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and
employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this
section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would
have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence
had continued.
(i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises"
shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include
any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit
plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall
include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director,
officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its
participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in
a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants
and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted
in a manner "not opposed to the best interest of the corporation" as
referred to in this section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the stockholders of
W.R. Berkley Corporation have approved an amendment to its Restated Certificate
of Incorporation containing provisions eliminating a director's personal
liability for monetary damages to W.R. Berkley Corporation and its stockholders
arising from a breach of a director's fiduciary duty except for liability under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or liability for any breach
of the director's duty of loyalty to W.R. Berkley Corporation or its
stockholders, or acts or omissions not in good faith or which involves
intentional
II-2
<PAGE>
misconduct or a knowing violation of law or for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. The amendment also provides for
indemnification of directors, officers and other persons under certain
circumstances.
W.R. Berkley Corporation maintains policies of insurance under W.R. Berkley
Corporation and its directors and officers are insured subject to specified
exclusions and deductible and maximum amounts against loss arising from any
claim which may be made against W.R. Berkley Corporation or any director or
officer of W.R. Berkley Corporation by reason of any breach of duty, neglect,
error, misstatement, omission or act done or alleged to have been done while
acting in their respective capacities.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
EXHIBIT
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
4.1 Indenture between W. R. Berkley Corporation and The Bank of New York, dated as of
December 20, 1996, relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
4.2 Form of Certificate of New Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to
Exhibit 4.1)
4.3 Certificate of Trust of W. R. Berkley Capital Trust, dated December 11, 1996
4.4 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for W. R. Berkley Capital Trust, dated
December 20, 1996
4.5 Form of New Capital Security Certificate for W. R. Berkley Capital Trust (included as
Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.4)
4.6 Form of New Guarantee of W. R. Berkley Corporation relating to the New Capital
Securities
4.7 Registration Rights Agreement among W.R. Berkley Corporation, W.R. Berkley Capital
Trust and the Initial Purchasers, dated December 20, 1996
5.1 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to legality of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures and the New Guarantee to be issued by W. R. Berkley Corporation*
5.2 Opinion of Prickett, Jones, Elliott, Kristol & Schnee as to legality of the New
Capital Securities to be issued by W. R. Berkley Capital Trust*
8 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to certain federal income tax matters*
12 Computation of ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends
23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
23.2 Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
23.3 Consent of Prickett, Jones, Elliott, Kristol & Schnee (included in Exhibit 5.2)*
24 Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of W. R. Berkley Corporation
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 W. R. Berkley Capital Trust
25.3 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee under the
New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of New Capital Securities of W. R.
Berkley Capital Trust
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-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each
undersigned Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by each undersigned Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of
each Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, each Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Item 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.
The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired or involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, W. R. Berkley
Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing 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 Greenwich, and State of Connecticut, on the 31st
day of January, 1997.
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
By /s/ ROBERT S. GORIN
-----------------------------------------
Robert S. Gorin
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ------------------------------ --------------------------- -------------------
* Chairman of the Board and
- ------------------------------ Chief Executive Officer January 31 1997
William R. Berkley (Chief Executive Officer)
* President, Chief Operating
- ------------------------------ Officer and Director January 31, 1997
John D. Vollaro
Senior Vice President,
* Chief Financial Officer and
- ------------------------------ Treasurer (Chief Financial January 31, 1997
Anthony J. Del Tufo Officer)
* Vice President and
- ------------------------------ Corporate Controller (Chief January 31, 1997
Clement P. Patafio Accounting Officer)
* Director
- ------------------------------ January 31, 1997
Robert B. Hodes
* Director
- ------------------------------ January 31, 1997
Henry Kaufman
* Director
- ------------------------------ January 31, 1997
Richard G. Merrill
* Director
- ------------------------------ January 31, 1997
Jack H. Nusbaum
* Director
- ------------------------------ January 31, 1997
Mark L. Shapiro
* Director
- ------------------------------ January 31, 1997
Martin Stone
*By: /s/ ROBERT S.
GORIN
-------------------------
Robert S. Gorin
Attorney-in-Fact
II-5
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, W. R. Berkley
Capital Trust certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all the requirements for filing 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 Greenwich, and State of Connecticut, on the 31st
day of January, 1997.
W. R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
By: /s/ ANTHONY J. DEL TUFO
-----------------------------------------
Anthony J. Del Tufo
as Administrative Trustee
By: /s/ ROBERT S. GORIN
-----------------------------------------
Robert S. Gorin
as Administrative Trustee
By: /s/ JOHN D. VOLLARO
-----------------------------------------
John D. Vollaro
as Administrative Trustee
II-6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- --------- --------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
4.1 Indenture between W.R. Berkley Corporation and The Bank of New York dated as of
December 20, 1996, relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
4.2 Form of Certificate of New Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A
to Exhibit 4.1)
4.3 Certificate of Trust of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, dated December 11, 1996
4.4 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, dated
December 20, 1996
4.5 Form of New Capital Security Certificate for W.R. Berkley Capital Trust (included
as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.4)
4.6 Form of New Guarantee of W.R. Berkley Corporation relating to the New Capital
Securities
4.7 Registration Rights Agreement among W.R. Berkley Corporation, W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust and the Initial Purchasers, dated December 20, 1996
5.1 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to legality of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures and the New Guarantee to be issued by W.R. Berkley Corporation*
5.2 Opinion of Prickett, Jones, Elliott, Kristol & Schnee as to legality of the New
Capital Securities to be issued by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust*
8 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to certain federal income tax matters*
12.1 Computation of ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends
23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
23.2 Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
23.3 Consent of Prickett, Jones, Elliott, Kristol & Schnee (included in Exhibit 5.2)*
24 Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of W.R. Berkley Corporation
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 of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
25.3 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee under
the New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of New Capital Securities of
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
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>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
--------------------
INDENTURE
Dated as of December 20, 1996
--------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Trustee
--------------------
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Page
----
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.................................................. 1
Additional Interest..................................................... 1
Adjusted Treasury Rate.................................................. 2
Affiliate............................................................... 2
Authenticating Agent.................................................... 2
Bankruptcy Law.......................................................... 2
Board of Directors...................................................... 2
Board Resolution........................................................ 2
Business Day............................................................ 2
Capital Securities...................................................... 2
Capital Securities Guarantee............................................ 3
Commission.............................................................. 3
Common Securities....................................................... 3
Common Securities Guarantee............................................. 3
Common Stock............................................................ 3
Company................................................................. 3
Company Request......................................................... 4
Comparable Treasury Issue............................................... 4
Comparable Treasury Price............................................... 4
Compounded Interest..................................................... 4
Custodian............................................................... 4
Declaration............................................................. 4
Default................................................................. 4
Deferred Interest....................................................... 4
Definitive Securities................................................... 5
Depositary.............................................................. 5
Event of Default........................................................ 5
Exchange Act............................................................ 5
Exchange Offer.......................................................... 5
Exchange Securities..................................................... 5
Extended Interest Payment Period........................................ 5
Global Security......................................................... 5
Indebtedness for Money Borrowed......................................... 5
Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities........................... 6
Indenture............................................................... 6
Initial Optional Prepayment Date........................................ 6
Initial Securities...................................................... 6
Interest Payment Date................................................... 6
Liquidated Damages...................................................... 6
Maturity Date........................................................... 7
Mortgage................................................................ 7
Non Book-Entry Capital Securities....................................... 7
i
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
--------------------------
Page
----
Officers................................................................ 7
Officers' Certificate................................................... 7
Opinion of Counsel...................................................... 7
Optional Prepayment Price............................................... 7
Other Debentures........................................................ 7
Other Guarantees........................................................ 7
outstanding............................................................. 7
Person.................................................................. 8
Predecessor Security.................................................... 8
Prepayment Price........................................................ 8
Principal office of the Trustee......................................... 8
Property Trustee........................................................ 8
Purchase Agreement...................................................... 8
Quotation Agent......................................................... 8
Prepayment Price........................................................ 8
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.................................... 9
Registration Rights Agreement........................................... 9
Remaining Life.......................................................... 9
Responsible Officer..................................................... 9
Restricted Security..................................................... 9
Rule 144A............................................................... 9
Securities.............................................................. 10
Securities Act.......................................................... 10
Securityholder.......................................................... 10
Security Register....................................................... 10
Senior Indebtedness..................................................... 10
Special Event........................................................... 10
Special Event Prepayment Price.......................................... 10
Subsidiary.............................................................. 10
Tax Event............................................................... 11
Tax Event Maturity Advancement.......................................... 11
Trustee................................................................. 11
Trust Indenture Act of 1939............................................. 12
Trust Securities........................................................ 12
U.S. Government Obligations............................................. 12
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust" or "Trust................................... 12
ARTICLE II
SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally.......................................... 12
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication............................. 13
SECTION 2.03. Form and Payment......................................... 13
SECTION 2.04. Legends.................................................. 13
SECTION 2.05. Global Security.......................................... 14
ii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
--------------------------
Page
----
SECTION 2.06. Interest................................................. 16
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.................................... 16
SECTION 2.08. Replacement Securities................................... 18
SECTION 2.09. Treasury Securities...................................... 19
SECTION 2.10. Temporary Securities..................................... 19
SECTION 2.11. Cancellation............................................. 20
SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest....................................... 20
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers............................................ 21
ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest............... 21
SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.................... 22
SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office....... 22
SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent............................. 23
SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee................................... 24
SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions................. 24
SECTION 3.07. Limitation on Dividends.................................. 24
SECTION 3.08. Covenants as to W.R. Berkley Capital Trust............... 25
SECTION 3.09. Payment of Expenses...................................... 25
SECTION 3.10. Payment Upon Resignation or Removal...................... 26
ARTICLE IV
SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. Securityholders' Lists................................... 27
SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists..................... 27
SECTION 4.03. Reports of the Company................................... 29
SECTION 4.04. Reports by the Trustee................................... 30
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default........................................ 31
SECTION 5.02. Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor.......... 33
iii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
SECTION 5.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee............... 36
SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders........................... 36
SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee................................... 37
SECTION 5.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing....................... 38
SECTION 5.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by
Majority of Security-holders............................. 38
SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults....................................... 39
SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs................................. 40
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee................... 40
SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc..................... 42
SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc...................... 43
SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer
Agents or Registrar May Own Securities................... 43
SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust............................... 44
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee..................... 44
SECTION 6.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence........................ 45
SECTION 6.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee.......................... 45
SECTION 6.09. Eligibility of Trustee................................... 45
SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee........................ 46
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee.......................... 48
SECTION 6.12. Successor by Merger, etc................................. 49
SECTION 6.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor............ 49
SECTION 6.14. Authenticating Agents.................................... 49
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. Action by Securityholders................................ 51
SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders.................... 51
SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners........................... 52
SECTION 7.04. Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding....... 52
SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound............. 53
iv
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 8.01. Purpose of Meetings...................................... 53
SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee.............................. 54
SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders........... 54
SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting................................ 54
SECTION 8.05. Regulations.............................................. 55
SECTION 8.06. Voting................................................... 55
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Securityholders....................... 56
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Securityholders.......................... 58
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of
Supplemental Indentures.................................. 59
SECTION 9.04. Notation on Securities................................... 59
SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be
Furnished Trustee........................................ 60
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on
Certain Terms........................................... 60
SECTION 10.02. Successor Corporation to be Substituted
for Company............................................. 61
SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee.................. 61
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 11.01. Discharge of Indenture.................................. 62
SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations
to be Held in Trust by Trustee ........................ 62
SECTION 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held....................... 63
SECTION 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys.............................. 63
SECTION 11.05. Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or
U.S. Government Obligations............................. 63
v
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
SECTION 11.06. Reinstatement........................................... 65
ARTICLE XII
SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.... 66
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01. Successors.............................................. 66
SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation.................. 66
SECTION 13.03. Surrender of Company Powers............................. 66
SECTION 13.04. Address for Notices, etc................................ 66
SECTION 13.05. Governing Law........................................... 67
SECTION 13.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent............................................... 67
SECTION 13.07. Business Days........................................... 68
SECTION 13.08. Trust Indenture Act to Control.......................... 68
SECTION 13.09. Table of Contents, Headings, etc........................ 68
SECTION 13.10. Execution in Counterparts............................... 68
SECTION 13.11. Separability............................................ 68
SECTION 13.12. Assignment.............................................. 69
SECTION 13.13. Acknowledgement of Rights............................... 69
ARTICLE XIV
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE MATURITY;
PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES -- MANDATORY AND
OPTIONAL SINKING FUND
SECTION 14.01. Special Event Prepayment................................ 69
SECTION 14.02. Optional Prepayment by Company.......................... 70
SECTION 14.03. No Sinking Fund......................................... 70
SECTION 14.04. Notice of Prepayment; Selection of
Securities.............................................. 70
SECTION 14.05. Payment of Securities Called for
Prepayment.............................................. 71
SECTION 14.06. Conditional Right to Advance Maturity................... 72
ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate................................ 73
vi
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
SECTION 15.02. Default on Senior Indebtedness.......................... 73
SECTION 15.03. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.................... 74
SECTION 15.04. Subrogation............................................. 75
SECTION 15.05. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination..................... 77
SECTION 15.06. Notice by the Company................................... 77
SECTION 15.07. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of
Senior Indebtedness..................................... 78
SECTION 15.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired....................... 79
ARTICLE XVI
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
SECTION 16.01. Extension of Interest Payment Period.................... 79
SECTION 16.02. Notice of Extension..................................... 81
vii
<PAGE>
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of December 20, 1996, between W.R. Berkley
Corporation, a Delaware 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:
In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the 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 Securities, as follows:
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 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, 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.
The following terms have the meanings given to them in the Declaration: (i)
Clearing Agency; (ii) Delaware Trustee; (iii) Depository; (iv) Capital Security
Certificate; (v) Property Trustee; (vi) Administrative Trustees; (vii) Direct
Action; and (viii) Purchase Agreement. 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. Headings
are used for convenience of reference only and do not affect interpretation.
The singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.06(c).
1
<PAGE>
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any prepayment date
pursuant to Section 14.01, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual
equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price
for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal
amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such prepayment date plus (i)
1.00% if such prepayment date occurs on or prior to December 15, 1997 and (ii)
0.50% in all other cases.
"Adverse Tax Consequence" shall have the meaning set forth in the
definition of Tax Event.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding the 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, and (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a
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 either the Board of Directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
"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 the Trustee.
"Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Securities,
any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions
in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to
close.
"Capital Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust which rank pari passu with the Common
Securities issued by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
2
<PAGE>
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, prepayment or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation,
prepayment and other payments to which they are entitled. References to
"Capital Securities" shall include collectively any Initial Capital Securities
and Exchange Capital Securities.
"Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the
Company may enter into with W.R. Berkley Capital Trust or other Persons that
operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities
of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust and shall include an Initial Capital Securities
Guarantee and an Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee with respect to the
Initial Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities, respectively.
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time
after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.
"Common Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust which rank pari passu with Capital
Securities issued by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, prepayment or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation,
prepayment and other payments to which they are entitled.
"Common Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the
Company may enter into with any Person or Persons that operates directly or
indirectly for the benefit of holders of Common Securities.
"Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $.20 per share,
of the Company or any other class of stock resulting from changes or
reclassifications of such Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par
value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value.
"Company" shall mean W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware corporation,
and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall include its successors and
assigns.
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"Company Request" or "Company Order" shall mean a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Remaining
Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with
customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities
of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any prepayment date
pursuant to Section 14.01, (i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date, as
set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m.
Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any
successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such
Business Day, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for
such prepayment date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than three such
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.
"Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
16.01.
"Conditional Tax Redemption Event" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 14.06.
"Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, dated as of December 20, 1996.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
16.01.
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"Definitive Securities" shall mean those securities issued in fully
registered certificated form not otherwise in global form.
"Depositary" shall mean, with respect to Securities of any series, for
which the Company shall determine that such 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 Section 2.05(d).
"Dissolution Event" means the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to the
Declaration, and the distribution of the Securities held by the Property Trustee
to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust pro rata in
accordance with the Declaration.
"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.
"Exchange Capital Securities" means the Company's 8.197% Capital
Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per security), issued pursuant to an
Exchange Offer.
"Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee" means the Capital Securities
Guarantee Agreement, issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer.
"Exchange Offer" means the offer that may be made pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Company to exchange Exchange Capital
Securities for Initial Capital Securities and to exchange an Exchange Capital
Securities Guarantee for an Initial Capital Securities Guarantee and (ii) by
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust to exchange Exchange Capital Securities for Initial
Capital Securities.
"Exchange Securities" means the Company's 8.197% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2045, issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer,
as authenticated and issued under this Indenture.
"Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 16.01.
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"Global Security" means, with respect to the Securities, a Security
executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or
pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture,
which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
"Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" shall mean any obligation of, or any
obligation guaranteed by, the Company for the repayment of borrowed money,
whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written
instruments.
"Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed or, if
amended as herein provided, as so amended.
"Initial Capital Securities" means the W.R. Berkley Capital Trust's
8.197% Capital Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per security).
"Initial Capital Securities Guarantee" means the Capital Securities
Guarantee Agreement, dated December 20, 1996, between the Company and The Bank
of New York, as guarantee trustee.
"Initial Optional Prepayment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 14.02.
"Initial Securities" means the Company's 8.197% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2045, as authenticated and issued under this
Indenture.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
"Investment Company Event" means that the Company shall have received
an opinion of an independent counsel experienced in practice under the
Investment Company Act, to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a
change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law
or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority (a "Change in Investment Company Act Law"), there is more than an
insubstantial risk that W.R. Berkley Capital Trust is or will be considered an
"investment company" which is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act, which Change in Investment Company Act Law becomes effective on or
after December 20, 1996.
"Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.06.
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"Liquidated Damages" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
"Maturity Date" shall mean December 15, 2045, or such other date to
which the maturity of the Subordinated Debentures is changed pursuant to the
right of the Company to advance the maturity date pursuant to the provisions of
Section 14.06.
"Mortgage" shall mean and include any mortgage, pledge, lien,
security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other
similar encumbrance.
"Non Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2.05.
"Officers" shall mean any of the Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by two
Officers and delivered to the Trustee.
"Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of counsel, who may
be an employee of the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.
"Optional Prepayment Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 14.02.
"Other Debentures" means all junior subordinated debentures issued by
the Company from time to time and sold to trusts to be established by the
Company (if any), in each case similar to W.R. Berkley Capital Trust.
"Other Guarantees" means all guarantees to be issued by the Company
with respect to capital securities (if any) and issued to other trusts to be
established by the Company (if any), in each case similar to the Trust.
The term "outstanding" when used with reference to Securities, shall,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, mean, as of any particular time, all
Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent under this Indenture, except
(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation;
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(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or prepayment 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 Securities, or portions thereof, are to be
prepaid prior to maturity thereof, notice of such prepayment
shall have been given as in Article XIV provided or provision
satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such
notice; and
(c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other
Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant
to the terms of Section 2.08 unless proof satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Securities are
held by bona fide holders in due course.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, estate, partnership,
joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or
stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed
or stolen Security.
"Prepayment Price" means the Optional Prepayment Price or the Special
Event Prepayment Price, as the context requires.
"Prepayment Price" means the Special Event Prepayment Price or the
Optional Prepayment Price, as the context requires.
"Principal office of the Trustee", or other similar term, shall mean
the principal office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its
corporate trust business shall be administered.
"Property Trustee" shall have the same meaning as set forth in the
Declaration.
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"Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement dated December
11, 1996 among the Company, W.R. Berkley Capital Trust and the initial
purchasers named therein.
"Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the
Trustee after consultation with the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation and its successors; provided, however, that if the
foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New
York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor
another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer
selected by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01, the
average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury
Dealer at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such
prepayment date.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company, W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust and the initial purchasers named therein as such agreement may be
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Remaining Life" means the period from the prepayment date pursuant to
Section 14.01 to the Maturity Date.
"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, shall
mean the chairman or any vice chairman of the board of directors, the chairman
or any vice chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the
chairman of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, the cashier,
any assistant cashier, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer,
any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the
controller or any assistant controller or any other officer or assistant officer
of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by
any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
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"Restricted Security" shall mean Securities that bear or are required
to bear the legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or under any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
"Securities" means, collectively, the Initial Securities and the
Exchange Securities.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933 as amended.
"Securityholder", "holder of Securities", or other similar terms,
shall mean any person in whose name at the time a particular Security is
registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose
in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Security Register" shall mean (i) prior to a Dissolution Event, the
list of holders provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, and (ii)
following a Dissolution Event, any security register maintained by a security
registrar for the securities appointed by the Company following the execution of
a supplemental indenture providing for transfer procedures as provided for in
Section 2.07(a).
"Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed,
whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or hereafter
created, assumed or incurred, unless the terms thereof specifically provide that
it is not superior in right of payment to the Securities, and any deferrals,
renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness.
"Special Event" means either an Investment Company Event or a
Conditional Tax Redemption Event.
"Special Event Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to any
prepayment of the Securities pursuant to Section 14.01 hereof, an amount in cash
equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid or (ii)
the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the
remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to December 15,
2006, the first day on which any Security is subject to optional prepayment,
discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in
each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, including Compounded Interest
and Additional Sums, if any, to the date of such prepayment.
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"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
whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by
such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or
more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person
or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this
definition, "voting stock" means shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having
ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the
equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a
contingency.
"Tax Event" shall mean the receipt by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust and
the Company of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or as
a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after December
20, 1996, or, as a result of a final determination, as evidenced by the
execution of a Form 870 AD, arising from an audit or examination by the Internal
Revenue Service, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject
to United States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued
on the Securities, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Securities is
not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by
the Company, in whole or in part, for United States Federal income tax purposes,
or (iii) W.R. Berkley Capital Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of
such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges (each of the circumstances referred to in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence").
"Tax Event Maturity Advancement" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 14.06.
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"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 the Securities shall
mean the trustee with respect to that series.
"Trust Indenture Act of 1939" 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.
"Trust Securities" shall mean the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities, collectively.
"U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean securities that are (i)
direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its
full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under
clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or prepayable at the option of the issuer
thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government
Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository
receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
"W.R. Berkley Capital Trust" or "Trust" shall mean W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust, a Delaware business trust created for the purpose of issuing its
undivided beneficial interests in connection with the issuance of Securities
under this Indenture.
ARTICLE II.
SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally.
The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall
be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, the terms of which are incorporated
in and made a part of this
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Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required
by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject or
usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The
Securities shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof.
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication.
Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer
holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual
signature of the Trustee. The signature of the Trustee shall be conclusive
evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. The
form of Trustee's certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities
shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
The Trustee shall, upon a Company Order, authenticate for original
issue up to, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at any
time may not exceed $216,300,000 aggregate principal amount of the Securities;
except as provided in Sections 2.07, 2.08, 2.10 and 14.05.
SECTION 2.03. Form and Payment.
Except as provided in Section 2.05, the Securities shall be issued in
fully registered certificated form without interest coupons. Principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities issued in certificated form will
be payable, the transfer of such Securities will be registrable and such
Securities will be exchangeable for Securities bearing identical terms and
provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
payment of interest with respect to Securities in global form may be made at the
option of the Company (i) by check mailed to the holder at such address as shall
appear in the Security Register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by
the Person entitled thereto, provided that proper transfer instructions have
been received in writing by the relevant record date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the holder of any Securities is the Property Trustee, the
payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) on such Securities held by the
Property Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Property Trustee.
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SECTION 2.04. Legends.
(a) Except as permitted by subsection (b) of this Section 2.04 or as
otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law, each
Security shall bear the applicable legends relating to restrictions on transfer
pursuant to the securities laws in substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A
hereto.
(b) The Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate
Exchange Securities in exchange for Initial Securities accepted for exchange in
the Exchange Offer, which Exchange Securities shall not bear the legends
required by subsection (a) above, in each case unless the holder of such Initial
Securities is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Initial Securities
directly from the Company for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
available exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person participating in the
distribution of the Initial Securities or (C) a Person who is an affiliate (as
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company.
SECTION 2.05. Global Security.
(a) In connection with a Dissolution Event,
(i) if any Capital Securities are held in book-entry form,
the related Definitive Securities shall be presented to the Trustee (if an
arrangement with the Depositary has been maintained) by the Property
Trustee in exchange for one or more Global Securities (as may be required
pursuant to Section 2.07) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Securities, to be registered
in the name of the Depositary, or its nominee, and delivered by the Trustee
to the Depositary for crediting to the accounts of its participants
pursuant to the instructions of the Administrative Trustees; the Company
upon any such presentation shall execute one or more Global Securities in
such aggregate principal amount and deliver the same to the Trustee for
authentication and delivery in accordance with this Indenture; and payments
on the Securities issued as a Global Security will be made to the
Depositary; and
(ii) if any Capital Securities are held in certificated
form, the related Definitive Securities may be presented to the Trustee by
the Property Trustee and any Capital Security certificate which represents
Capital Securities other than Capital Securities in book-entry form ("Non
Book-Entry Capital Securities") will be deemed to represent beneficial
interests in Securities presented to
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the Trustee by the Property Trustee having an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Non Book-Entry Capital
Securities until such Capital Security certificates are presented to
the Security Registrar for transfer or reissuance, at which time such
Capital Security certificates will be cancelled and a Security, registered
in the name of the holder of the Capital Security certificate, with an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Security certificate cancelled, will be executed by the Company and
delivered to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance with
this Indenture. Upon the issuance of such Securities, Securities with an
equivalent aggregate principal amount that were presented by the Property
Trustee to the Trustee will be deemed to have been cancelled.
(b) The Global Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of
outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon; PROVIDED, that the
aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to
time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and
prepayments. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any
increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby
shall be made by the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the
Company as required by this Section 2.05.
(c) The Global Securities may be transferred, in whole but not in
part, only to another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary
selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor
Depositary.
(d) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or the Depositary has ceased to be
a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, 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 the Trustee, upon written notice from the Company, will
authenticate and make available for delivery the Definitive Securities, in
authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security.
If there is an Event of Default, the Depositary shall have the right to exchange
the Global Securities for Definitive Securities. In addition, the Company may
at any time determine that the Securities shall no longer be represented by a
Global Security. In the event of such an Event of Default or such a
determination, the Company shall execute, and subject to Section 2.07, the
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Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination
by the Company, will authenticate and make available for delivery the Definitive
Securities, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global
Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Definitive
Securities, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be cancelled
by the Trustee. Such Definitive Securities issued in exchange for the Global
Security 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 Definitive Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons
in whose names such Definitive Securities are so registered.
SECTION 2.06. Interest.
(a) Each Security will bear interest at the rate of 8.197% per annum
(the "Coupon Rate") from the most recent date to which interest has been paid
or, if no interest has been paid, from December 20, 1996, until the principal
thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded semi-annually,
payable (subject to the provisions of Article XVI) semi-annually in arrears on
June 15 and December 15 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date")
commencing on June 15, 1997, to the Person in whose name such Security or any
predecessor Security is registered, at the close of business on the regular
record date for such interest installment, which shall be the first day of the
month in which the relevant Interest Payment Date falls.
(b) Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any Interest Payment Date
falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then payment of interest 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 date.
(c) During such time as the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Securities, the Company shall pay any additional amounts on the Securities as
may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable
by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust on the outstanding Trust Securities shall not be
reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental
charges to which the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event
("Additional Sums").
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SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. The Initial Securities, and those
Exchange Securities with respect to which any Person described in Section
2.04(b)(A), (B) or (C) is the beneficial owner, may not be transferred except in
compliance with any legend contained in Exhibit A unless otherwise determined by
the Company in accordance with applicable law. Upon any distribution of the
Securities following a Dissolution Event, the Company and the Trustee shall
enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.01 to provide for the
transfer restrictions and procedures with respect to the Securities
substantially similar to those contained in the Declaration to the extent
applicable in the circumstances existing at such time.
(b) GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES. To
permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities and Global Securities at
the Trustee's request. All Definitive Securities and Global Securities issued
upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Definitive Securities or Global
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive
Securities or Global Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer
or exchange.
No service charge shall be made to a holder for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
The Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer
of or exchange Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of prepayment or any notice of
selection of Securities for prepayment under Article XV hereof and ending at the
close of business on the day of such mailing; or (ii) register the transfer of
or exchange any Security so selected for prepayment in whole or in part, except
the unprepaid portion of any Security being prepaid in part.
Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any
Security, the Trustee, any agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person
in whose name any Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on such Securities, and neither the Trustee, any agent nor the Company
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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(c) EXCHANGE OF INITIAL SECURITIES FOR EXCHANGE SECURITIES. The
Initial Securities may be exchanged for Exchange Securities pursuant to the
terms of the Exchange Offer. The Trustee shall make the exchange as follows:
The Company shall present the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
certifying the following:
(A) upon issuance of the Exchange Securities, the transactions
contemplated by the Exchange Offer have been consummated: and
(B) the principal amount of Initial Securities properly tendered in
the Exchange Offer that are represented by a Global Security and
the principal amount of Initial Securities properly tendered in
the Exchange Offer that are represented by Definitive Securities,
the name of each holder of such Definitive Securities, the
principal amount at maturity properly tendered in the Exchange
Offer by each such holder and the name and address to which
Definitive Securities for Exchange Securities shall be registered
and sent for each such holder.
The Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers' Certificate, (ii) an
Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Exchange Securities have been
registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set
forth in Section 3(p) of the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) a Company
Order, shall authenticate (A) a Global Security for Exchange Securities in
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial
Securities represented by a Global Security indicated in such Officers'
Certificate as having been properly tendered and (B) Definitive Securities
representing Exchange Securities registered in the names of, and in the
principal amounts indicated in, such Officers' Certificate.
If the principal amount at maturity of the Global Security for the
Exchange Securities is less than the principal amount at maturity of the Global
Security for the Initial Securities, the Trustee shall make an endorsement on
such Global Security for the Initial Securities indicating a reduction in the
principal amount at maturity represented thereby.
The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities for Exchange
Securities to the holders thereof as indicated in such Officers' Certificate.
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SECTION 2.08. Replacement Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or the
Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Company shall issue and the
Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Trustee's requirements
for replacements of Securities are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by
the holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to
protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any
loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company or the
Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security.
Every replacement Security is an obligation of the Company and shall
be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with all other Securities duly issued hereunder.
SECTION 2.09. Treasury Securities.
In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of
Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned
by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be considered as though not
outstanding, except that for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall
be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only
Securities that the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so
considered.
SECTION 2.10. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities, the Company may
execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed,
typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized
denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of
which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may
determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause Definitive
Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. The Definitive Securities
shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or provided by any combination
thereof, or in any other manner permitted by the rules and regulations of any
applicable securities exchange, all as determined by the officers
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executing such Definitive Securities. After the preparation of Definitive
Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for Definitive
Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency
maintained by the Company for such purpose pursuant to Section 3.02 hereof,
without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or
more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange therefor the same
aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized denominations.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled
to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities.
SECTION 2.11. Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Securities
surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or
cancellation and shall retain or destroy cancelled Securities in accordance with
its normal practices (subject to the record retention requirement of the
Exchange Act) unless the Company directs them to be returned to it. The Company
may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been prepaid or
paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. All
Securities cancelled by the Trustee shall be delivered to the Company.
SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest.
Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called
"Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the 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 (a) or clause (b) below:
(a) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on
Securities to the Persons in whose names such 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 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
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to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment,
such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided.
Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10
days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days
after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date
and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of
the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date
therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder
at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than
10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment
of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been
mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons
in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities)
are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable
pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any
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 Trustees of the proposed payment
pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable
by the Trustee.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices
of prepayment 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 Securities or as contained in any notice of a
prepayment and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers printed on the Securities, and any such prepayment shall not be affected
by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify
the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE III.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
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SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the holders of the
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities at the place,
at the respective times and in the manner provided herein. The Company further
covenants to pay any and all amounts including, without limitation, Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the dates and in the manner required under the Registration
Rights Agreement.
SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.
So long as any of the Securities remains outstanding, the Company will
maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency
where the Securities may be presented for payment, an office or agency where
the Securities 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 Securities 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, any 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 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.
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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 Securities, 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
on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by
the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities) in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities; and
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the
Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make
any payment of the principal of and premium or interest on
the Securities when the same shall be due and payable.
(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 on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities a sum
sufficient to pay such principal, premium or interest so becoming
due and will notify the Trustee of any failure to take such
action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor
under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same
shall become due and payable.
(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 the Securities
hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to
the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such Securities by the
Trustee or any
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paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.04, 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, commencing with the first fiscal year
ending after the date hereof, so long as Securities are outstanding hereunder,
an Officers' Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal
executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer of the Company,
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.
SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.
The Company will not, while any of the 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.
The Company will not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or prepay, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock)
or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay
or repurchase or prepay any debt securities of the Company (including any Other
Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Company of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Company (including
Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of
payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares
of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of,
Common Stock of
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the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of stock under
any such plan in the future, or the prepayment or repurchase of any such rights
pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a
result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or
the conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another
class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) 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, and (f) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common
Stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors,
officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans) if at
such time (i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has
actual knowledge that (a) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would constitute an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the
Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if such Securities
are held by the Property Trustee, the Company shall be in default with respect
to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee or
(iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its
right to extend the interest payment period pursuant to Section 16.01 and any
such extension shall be continuing.
SECTION 3.08. Covenants as to W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
In the event Securities are issued to W.R. Berkley Capital Trust or a
trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities remain
outstanding, the Company will (i) directly or indirectly maintain 100% direct
ownership of the Common Securities of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that any successor of the Company, permitted pursuant to Article X, may
succeed to the Company's ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) use its
reasonable efforts to cause W.R. Berkley Capital Trust (a) to remain a business
trust, except in connection with a distribution of Securities, the prepayment of
all of the Trust Securities of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust or certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, and (b)
to continue to be treated as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use
its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as
owning an individual beneficial interest in the Securities.
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SECTION 3.09. Payment of Expenses.
In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities
to W.R. Berkley Capital Trust and in connection with the sale of the Trust
Securities by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, the Company, in its capacity as
borrower with respect to the Securities, shall:
(a) pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and
issuance of the Securities, including commissions to the initial purchasers
payable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, fees and expenses in connection with
the Exchange Offer or other action to be taken pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement and compensation of the Trustee in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.06;
(b) pay all costs and expenses of the Trust (including, but not
limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities
(including commissions to the initial purchasers in connection therewith), the
fees and expenses of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, 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;
(c) be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification obligations
arising with respect to the Declaration;
(d) pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes
attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and expenses
with respect to such taxes of the Trust: and
(e) pay all other fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other than
the Trust Securities) related to W.R. Berkley Capital Trust.
SECTION 3.10. Payment Upon Resignation or Removal.
Upon termination of this Indenture or the removal or resignation of
the Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Company shall pay to the Trustee all
amounts accrued and owing to the date of such termination, removal or
resignation. Upon
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termination of the Declaration or the removal or resignation of the Delaware
Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.7 of
the Declaration, the Company shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or the Property
Trustee, as the case may be, all amounts accrued and owing to the date of such
termination, removal or resignation.
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 cause to be
furnished to the Trustee:
(a) on a semi-annual basis on each regular record date for the
Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably
require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders as of
such record date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within
30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a
list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the time such list is furnished, except that, no
such lists need be furnished so long as the Trustee is in
possession thereof by reason of its acting as Security registrar.
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 the 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 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 Securities (hereinafter referred
to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish
to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has
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owned a Security 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
Securities or with holders of all Securities with respect to
their rights under this Indenture and is accompanied by a copy of
the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants
propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business
Days after the receipt of such application, at its election,
either:
(1) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the
time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 4.02; or
(2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of
all Securities 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 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 Commission, together with a copy of the material to be
mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of
the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests
of the holders of all Securities or would be in violation of
applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis
of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a
hearing upon the objections specified in the
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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, the 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 Securities, by receiving and holding the
same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the
Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information
as to the names and addresses of the holders of 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. Reports of the Company
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee,
within 15 days after the date on which the Company is required to
file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports
and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of
such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from
time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the
Company is not required to file information, documents or reports
pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the
Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such
of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and
reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the
Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a
national securities exchange as
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may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and
regulations.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional
information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by
the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in
this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules
and regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to all
holders of Securities, as the names and addresses of such holders
appear upon the Security Register, within 30 days after the
filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any
information, documents and reports required to be filed by the
Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4.03
as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time
to time by the Commission.
(d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's
receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from 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).
(e) So long as is required for an offer or sale of the Securities to
qualify for an exemption under Rule 144A under the Securities
Act, the Company shall, upon request, provide the information
required by clause (d)(4) thereunder to each Holder and to each
beneficial owner and prospective purchaser of Securities
identified by any holder of Restricted Securities, unless such
information is furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
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
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manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a)
of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days
after each December 15 following the date of this Indenture,
commencing December 15, 1997, deliver to Securityholders a brief
report, dated as of such December 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 and with the Company. The Company
will promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed
on any stock exchange.
ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default.
One or more of the following events of default shall constitute an
Event of Default hereunder (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and
whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law
or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or
regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security or any
Other Debentures 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 hereof or, in the case of any Other
Debenture, the indenture related thereto, shall not constitute a
default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or
(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or
premium, if any, on) any Security or any Other Debentures as and
when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity,
upon prepayment, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or
otherwise; or
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(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant
or warranty 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 Securities a written notice specifying such default
or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(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
property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they
become due.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities at the time
outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding may declare the principal amount of all Securities to be due
and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the
Trustee if given by the holders of the outstanding Securities),
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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 of the Securities shall have been so
declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of
the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i)
the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities and the
principal of and premium, if any, on any and all Securities 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 specified in the Securities to the date of such payment or
deposit) and (B) 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 expenses and liabilities incurred,
and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a
result of negligence or bad faith, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under
the Indenture shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided
herein, then, in every such case, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities then outstanding, by written notice to the
Company and to the Trustee, may 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 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
Securities shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
SECTION 5.02. Payment of 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 Securities as and when
the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for
a period of 30 days, or
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(b) in case default shall be made in the payment of the principal of or premium,
if any, on any of the Securities as and when the same shall have become due and
payable, whether at maturity of the Securities or upon prepayment or by
declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise, then, upon demand of the
Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of
the Securities, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on
all such Securities 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 and, if the Securities are held by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust or a trustee
of such trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust or a trustee in respect thereof) upon the overdue installments of
interest at the rate borne by the Securities; 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 expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee
hereunder other than through its negligence or bad faith.
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 the
Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the
Company or any other obligor on the 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 Securities 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 any other similar judicial proceedings relative
to the Company or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or
property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of
whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein
expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee
shall have made any demand 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 owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and, in case of any
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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 expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made,
by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or
bad faith) and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings
relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Securities, 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
Securities 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 expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee
and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith.
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
Securities 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 Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the
possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof in 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
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
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shall be held to represent all the holders of the Securities, and it shall not
be necessary to make any holders of the 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 order
following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of
such moneys, upon presentation of the 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 all amounts due to the Trustee under Section
6.06, including the costs and expenses of collection applicable to the
Securities and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and
counsel, and of all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances
made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith;
Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if
and to the extent required by Article XV;
Third: In case the principal of the outstanding Securities in respect
of which moneys have been collected shall not have become due and be unpaid, to
the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities for principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities, in respect of which or for
the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference of
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Securities for
principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and
Fourth: To the Company.
SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders.
No holder of any Security shall have any right by virtue of or by
availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or
proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written
notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the
Securities specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided, and
unless also the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee
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to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee
hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it
may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein
or thereby, 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, it being understood and intended, and being expressly
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other taker and
holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of
Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any
other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the
manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all
holders of Securities.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the
right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of
(premium, if any) and interest on such Security, on or after the same shall have
become due and payable, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder
and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other such taker
and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have
any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any
other Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to
any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all
holders of Securities. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of
this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled
to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
The Company and the Trustee acknowledge that pursuant to the
Declaration, the holders of Capital Securities are entitled, in the
circumstances and subject to the limitations set forth therein, to commence a
Direct Action with respect to any Event of Default under this Indenture and the
Securities.
SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee.
In case an Event of Default occurs with respect to Securities and is
continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the
rights vested in it by this
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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.
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 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 the Securities, and no delay
or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the 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.
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
Securities 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; 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 the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive
committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible
Officers, shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would
involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to any declaration
accelerating the maturity of the Securities, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the
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Securities at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the
Securities waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences
except a default (a) in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any of the Securities or (b) in respect of covenants or provisions
hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of
each Security affected; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Securities are held by
the Property Trustee, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be
effective until the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of
Trust Securities shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such
waiver; PROVIDED FURTHER, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Security is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of
the Trust Securities 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 Securities shall
be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right
consequent thereon. 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 Securities and this Indenture be deemed to
have been cured and to be not continuing.
SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults.
The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default
with respect to the Securities mail to all Securityholders, as the names and
addresses of such holders appear upon the Security register, notice of all
defaults 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) and (e) 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 or premium, if any, or interest on any of the
Securities, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so
long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of
directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines
that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders;
and provided further, that in the case of any default of the character specified
in Section 5.01(c), no such notice to Securityholders shall be given until at
least 60 days after the occurrence thereof but shall be given within 90 days
after such occurrence.
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SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security
by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in
its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy
under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of 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, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities 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 Security against the Company on or after the
same shall have become due and payable.
ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
With respect to the holders of the Securities issued hereunder, the
Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or
waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform
such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Indenture. In case an Event of Default 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 and after the
curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have
occurred
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(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee 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 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 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 reasonable ground for believing that the
repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not
reasonably assured to it.
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SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent,
order, 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 may 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 or
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 (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise such of
the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use
the same degree of care and
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skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent,
order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or
document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Securities; 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; and
(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.
SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.
The recitals contained herein and in the 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 Securities. The Trustee and
the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by
the Company of any Securities or the proceeds of any 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 Securities.
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The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any
transfer agent or any Security registrar, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer
agent or Security registrar.
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 or a Vice President or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of
the Company.
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.
The Company, as borrower, covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee
from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such 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
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indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien
prior to that of the 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 Securities.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection
with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e), 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 termination of this
Indenture.
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 is 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.
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 Commission authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least 50 million U.S. dollars
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($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
report of condition so published.
The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as
Trustee.
In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Trustee shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.
SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may
at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation
to the Company and by mailing notice thereof to the holders of
the Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the
Security register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation,
the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or
trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one
copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall
have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60
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 Security 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 --
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(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 Security or 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,
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 Security 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 a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding may at any time remove the
Trustee and nominate a successor trustee, which shall be deemed
appointed as successor trustee unless within 10 days after such
nomination the Company objects thereto or if no successor trustee
shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted appointment
within 30 days after such removal, in which case the Trustee so
removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and
otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.10 provided, may
petition any court
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of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor
trustee.
(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 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 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.
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.
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 Securities at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Security register. If the Company fails to mail such notice
within 10 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.
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SECTION 6.12. Successor 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.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the
trusts created by this Indenture any Securities 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 Securities so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
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 the Securities or this Indenture elsewhere provides 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 Securities 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.
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 Securities 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 Securities; provided, that the Trustee shall have no
liability to the Company
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for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the
authentication and delivery of Securities. 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 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 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 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 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 Securityholders as the names and addresses of such holders
appear on the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon
acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights,
powers, duties and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like
effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.
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The Company, as borrower, 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 Securities 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
Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly
called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a
combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a
meeting of such Securityholders.
If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record
date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only
the 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 Securities have
authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the
Outstanding Securities 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.
SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
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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 Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register or by a certificate of the 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 Security,
the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any
transfer agent and any Security registrar may deem the person in whose name such
Security shall be registered upon the Security Register to be, and may treat him
as, the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be
overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal
of and premium, if any, and interest on such 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 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 Security.
SECTION 7.04. Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate
principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or
waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Company or any
other obligor on the 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 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 Securities which the
Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so
owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for
the purposes of this Section 7.04 if
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the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's
right to vote such 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 Securities specified in this
Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security (or any
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 Securities
the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice
with the Trustee at its principal office and upon proof of holding as provided
in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security (or so far
as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted
Security). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any
Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future
holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange or
substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard
thereto is made upon such Security or any Security issued in exchange or
substitution therefor.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 8.01. Purpose of Meetings
A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time
to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following
purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give
any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of
any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other
action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any
of the provisions of Article V;
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(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 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 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, 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 Securities at their
addresses as they shall appear on the Securities Register. Such notice shall be
mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the
meeting.
SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders.
In case at any time the Company pursuant to a resolution of the Board
of Directors, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a
meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable
detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not
have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such
request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the
place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York 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 Securities or (b) a Person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Securities. The only
Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of
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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 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 8.04, at any meeting each holder
of Securities or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however,
that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security
challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any
meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section
8.02 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
Securities 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 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
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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 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. The holders of the
Initial Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities shall vote for
all purposes as a single class.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Securityholders.
The Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time
amend this Indenture, 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
Securityholders as the Board of Directors and the Trustee shall
consider to be for the protection of the Securityholders, 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 remedies provided in this
Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect
of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition, such
amendment
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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 provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities in
coupon form (including Securities registrable as to principal
only) and to provide for exchangeability of such Securities with
the Securities issued hereunder in fully registered form and to
make all appropriate changes for such purpose;
(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained
herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other
provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this
Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially
adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Securities;
(e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities;
(f) to make provision for transfer procedures, certification,
book-entry provisions, the form of restricted securities legends,
if any, to be placed on Securities, and all other matters
required pursuant to Section 2.07 or otherwise necessary,
desirable or appropriate in connection with the issuance of
Securities to holders of Capital Securities in the event of a
distribution of Securities by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
following a Dissolution Event:
(g) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act; or
(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of
any Securityholder in any material respect.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the
execution of any supplemental indenture to effect
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such amendment, 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 amendment to this 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 Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding
any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Securityholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the
Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend this Indenture for the
purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any
of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of
the holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall
without the consent of the holders of each Security then outstanding and
affected hereby (i) extend the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the rate
or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (except as contemplated by
Article XVI), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce any amount
payable on prepayment thereof, or make the principal thereof or any interest or
premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the
Securities, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute
suit for payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities
the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment to this
Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Securities are held by W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust, such amendment shall not be effective until the holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such
amendment; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Security is required, such amendment shall not be effective until
each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such amendment.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a copy of a resolution
of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary
authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture affecting such
amendment, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of
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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. The Trustee may receive
an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture
executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by, and conforms
to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee under the
provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee
shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the
Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental
indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the
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. 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 Securities 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 Securities.
Securities 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 in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in
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such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine,
new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the
Board of Directors, 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 Securities then outstanding.
SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be
Furnished Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may
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.
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 any of the Securities shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person
(whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be), 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
lease of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an
entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not
affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to
acquire and operate the same; provided, that (a) the Company is the surviving
Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, transfer
or lease of property is made is a Person organized and existing under the laws
of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and (b)
upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the
due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on the Securities according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance
and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept
or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental
indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as
then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to
the Trustee by the Person formed by such consolidation, or into which the
Company shall have been merged, or by the Person which shall
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have acquired such property, and (c) after giving effect to such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.
SECTION 10.02. Successor Corporation to be Substituted for Company.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and
upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee,
of the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on all of the 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 Person shall succeed to and
be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named
herein as the party of the first part, and the Company thereupon shall be
relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the
Securities. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed, and may
issue either in its own name or in the name of W.R. Berkley Corporation, any or
all of the 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 Person 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
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 Securities which such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be
signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that
purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal
rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or
thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all
of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may
receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, 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
Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any 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 cancelled, or (b) all the
Securities not theretofore cancelled 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 prepayment within one
year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
prepayment, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds
sufficient to pay on the Maturity Date or upon prepayment all of the Securities
(other than any 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 cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including
principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to the
Maturity Date or prepayment date, as the case may be, but excluding, however,
the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or
interest on the 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 either case 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 2.02, 2.07, 2.08, 3.01,
3.02, 3.04, 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 hereof shall survive until such 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 any Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, to the effect that all conditions to the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been satisfied, 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 Securities.
SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be
Held in Trust by Trustee.
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Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys and U.S.
Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.01 or
11.05 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 Securities for the payment of which
such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the
Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal (premium, if
any) and interest.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 11.05 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the holders of outstanding Securities.
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 Securities (other than the Trustee) shall, upon
written 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 or premium, if any) or interest on Securities
and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Securities for two
years after the date upon which the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on such 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 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.
SECTION 11.05. Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
Obligations
The Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below)
from its obligations with respect to the Securities on the 91st day after the
applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied with respect to the
Securities:
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(1) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited
irrevocably with the Trustee or the Defeasance Agent (as defined
below) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security
for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the
Securities (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government
Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal
in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide,
not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money
in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient,
in the opinion (with respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the
Defeasance Agent, if any, to pay and discharge each installment
of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
outstanding Securities on the dates such installments of
principal, premium or interest are due;
(2) if the Securities are then listed on any national securities
exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the
Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that the exercise of the option under this Section 11.05 would
not cause such Securities to be delisted from such exchange;
(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the
Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of
such deposit; and
(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the
Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or
loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of
the exercise of the option under this Section 11.05 and will be
subject to United States federal income tax in the same amount
and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such option had not been exercised, and such opinion
shall be accompanied by a private letter ruling to that effect
received from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a
revenue ruling pertaining to a comparable form of transaction to
that effect published by the United States Internal Revenue
Service.
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"Discharged" means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Securities and to have
satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities
(and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of holders of
Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (1) above,
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and the interest on the
Securities when such payments are due; (B) the Company's obligations with
respect to the Securities under Sections 2.07, 2.08, 5.02 and 11.04; and (C) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.
"Defeasance Agent" means another financial institution which is
eligible to act as Trustee hereunder and which assumes all of the obligations of
the Trustee necessary to enable the Trustee to act hereunder. In the event such
a Defeasance Agent is appointed pursuant to this Section, the following
conditions shall apply:
(1) The Trustee shall have approval rights over the document
appointing such Defeasance Agent and the document setting forth
such Defeasance Agent's rights and responsibilities; and
(2) The Defeasance Agent shall provide verification to the Trustee
acknowledging receipt of sufficient money and/or U.S. Government
Obligations to meet the applicable conditions set forth in this
Section 11.05.
SECTION 11.06. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or any Defeasance Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 11.05 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of
any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations
under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section ll.05 until such time as the
Trustee or any Defeasance Agent is permitted to apply all such money in
accordance with Section 11.05.
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ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any)
or interest on any 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 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 Person to the Company, either
directly or through the Company, 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 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.
SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation.
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 or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be
the lawful sole 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 successor
Person.
SECTION 13.04. Address for Notices, etc.
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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
Securities on the Company may be given or served 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, 165 Mason Street, Greenwich Connecticut 06836-2518, Attention:
General Counsel. Any notice, direction, request or demand by any Securityholder
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, 101
Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286, addressed to the
Trustee, The Bank of New York, Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
Administration.
SECTION 13.05. Governing Law.
This Indenture and each 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
conflicts 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 shall include (1) a statement that the Person
making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a
brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation
upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion
are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
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SECTION 13.07. Business Days.
In any case where the date of payment of principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on the Securities will not be a Business Day, the payment of
such principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities need not be
made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, with the
same force and effect as if made on 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 another provision included in this Indenture which
is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision 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 Securities shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities,
but this Indenture and the Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
SECTION 13.12. Assignment.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company,
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provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain
liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, the Indenture is
binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties thereto and their
respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned
by the parties hereto.
SECTION 13.13. Acknowledgement of Rights.
The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Securities held by
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust or a trustee of such Trust, if the Property Trustee
of such Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of
the Securities held as the assets of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, any holder of
Capital Securities may institute legal proceedings directly against the Company
to enforce such Property Trustee's rights under this Indenture without first
instituting any legal proceedings against such Property Trustee or any other
person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the
Company to pay principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities
when due, the Company acknowledges that a holder of Capital Securities may
directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities having a
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
Securities.
ARTICLE XIV.
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE MATURITY;
PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES -- MANDATORY AND
OPTIONAL SINKING FUND
SECTION 14.01. Special Event Prepayment.
If a Special Event has occurred and is continuing, then the Company
shall have the right, notwithstanding Section 14.02(a) but subject to Section
14.02(b), upon (i) not less than 45 days written notice to the Trustee and (ii)
not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the
Securityholders, to prepay the Securities, in whole (but not in part), at any
time within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event, at the
Special Event Prepayment Price. Following a Special Event, the Company shall
take such action as is necessary to promptly determine the Special Event
Prepayment Price, including without limitation the appointment by the Company of
a Quotation Agent. The Special Event Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to
12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such prepayment or such earlier
time as the Company determines, provided that the Company
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shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Special Event
Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such Special
Event Prepayment Price is to be paid.
SECTION 14.02. Optional Prepayment by Company.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article XIV, the Company shall
have the right to prepay the Securities, in whole or in part, from time to time,
on or after December 15, 2006, at the optional prepayment price equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon (including Additional Sums and Compounded Interest, if
any) to the applicable date of prepayment (the "Optional Prepayment Price").
If the Securities are only partially prepaid pursuant to this Section
14.02, the Securities will be prepaid PRO RATA or by lot or by any other method
utilized by the Trustee; PROVIDED, that if at the time of prepayment the
Securities are registered as a Global Security, the Depositary shall determine,
in accordance with its procedures, the principal amount of such Securities held
by each holder of a Security to be prepaid. The Optional Prepayment Price shall
be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such prepayment
or at such earlier time as the Company determines, provided that the Company
shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Optional
Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such Optional
Prepayment Price is to be paid.
(b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 14.02, upon the
entry of an order for dissolution of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the Securities thereafter will be subject to optional
prepayment, in whole only, but not in part, on or after December 15, 2006, at
the optional prepayment price set forth in Section 14.02 and otherwise in
accordance with this Article XIV.
SECTION 14.03. No Sinking Fund.
The Securities are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
SECTION 14.04. Notice of Prepayment; Selection of Securities.
In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to prepay all,
or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities in accordance with their
terms, it shall fix a date for prepayment and shall mail a notice of such
prepayment at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
prepayment
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to the holders of Securities so to be prepaid as a whole or in part at their
last addresses as the same appear on the 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 Security designated for
prepayment as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the prepayment of any other Security.
Each such notice of prepayment shall specify the CUSIP number of the
Securities to be prepaid, the date fixed for prepayment, the prepayment price at
which the Securities are to be prepaid (or the method by which such prepayment
price is to be calculated), the place or places of payment that payment will be
made upon presentation and surrender of the Securities, that interest accrued to
the date fixed for prepayment will be paid as specified in said notice, and that
on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be prepaid
will cease to accrue. If less than all the Securities are to be prepaid the
notice of prepayment shall specify the numbers of the Securities to be prepaid.
In case any Security is to be prepaid in part only, the notice of prepayment
shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be prepaid and shall
state that on and after the date fixed for prepayment, upon surrender of such
Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the
unprepaid portion thereof will be issued.
Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the prepayment date
specified in the notice of prepayment 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 prepay on the prepayment date all the Securities
so called for prepayment at the appropriate Prepayment Price, together with
accrued interest to the date fixed for prepayment.
The Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 days prior
to the prepayment date as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be
prepaid and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion
it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Securities or portions thereof (in
integral multiples of $1,000, except as otherwise set forth in the applicable
form of Security) to be prepaid.
SECTION 14.05. Payment of Securities Called for Prepayment.
If notice of prepayment has been given as provided in Section 14.04,
the Securities or portions of Securities with
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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
Prepayment Price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for
prepayment (subject to the rights of holders of Securities on the close of
business on a regular record date in respect of an Interest Payment Date
occurring on or prior to the prepayment date), and on and after said date
(unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the
Prepayment Price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the
Securities or portions of Securities so called for prepayment shall cease to
accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment
specified in said notice, the said Securities or the specified portions thereof
shall be paid and prepaid by the Company at the applicable Prepayment Price,
together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for prepayment (subject
to the rights of holders of Securities on the close of business on a regular
record date in respect of an Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the
prepayment date).
Upon presentation of any Security prepaid 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 Security or
Securities of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the
unprepaid portion of the Security so presented.
SECTION 14.06. Conditional Right to Advance Maturity.
If a Tax Event occurs, then the Company will have the right (i) prior to
the termination of the Trust, to advance the Maturity Date of the Securities to
the minimum extent required, but not to a date earlier than December 20, 2026,
or (ii) to terminate the Trust (if not previously terminated) and advance the
Maturity Date of the Securities to the minimum extent required, but not to a
date earlier than December 20, 2036, in each case such that, in the written
opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after
advancing the Maturity Date, interest paid on the Securities shall be deductible
for federal income tax purposes (the action referred to in either clause (i) of
(ii) above being referred to herein as a "Tax Event Maturity Advancement").
If a Tax Event occurs and in the written opinion of counsel experienced in
such matters delivered to the Company there would in all cases, after effecting
a Tax Event Maturity Advancement, be more than an insubstantial risk that an
Adverse Tax Consequence would continue to exist, a Special Event shall be deemed
to have occurred and the Securities shall then be subject to redemption in
accordance with the provisions of Section 14.01.
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The circumstances under which the Company has the right to redeem the Securities
in connection with a Tax Event is referred to herein as a "Conditional Tax
Redemption Event".
ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Securities issued
hereunder likewise covenants and agrees, that the Securities shall be issued
subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Security,
whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and
agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment by the Company of the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on all Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the
manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the
date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any
Default or Event of Default hereunder.
SECTION 15.02. 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, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness 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
prepayment) of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities,
then no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal
(including prepayments) of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities
until the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such
acceleration shall receive payment in full of all amounts due in respect of such
Senior Indebtedness (including any amounts due upon acceleration).
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 be held in trust for the
benefit of, and shall be
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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 of the amounts due in
respect of such Senior Indebtedness and 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 such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts
specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 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 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.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or
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character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing,
shall be received by the Trustee before all amounts in respect of Senior
Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in
accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust
for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the
trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, and their respective
interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to
pay all amounts due in respect of 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 Securities to the payment of Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be
outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new
corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and
(ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the
consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The
consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another
Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale,
conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially
as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in
Article 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 Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or lease, 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 6.05 of this
Indenture.
SECTION 15.04. Subrogation.
Subject to the payment in full of all amounts due in respect of Senior
Indebtedness, the rights of the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior
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Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company, as the case may be, applicable to such Senior
Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
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 Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the
Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the
provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of
defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand,
and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the 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 Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Securities the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on the 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 Securities and creditors
of the Company, as the case may be, other than the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, nor shall anything herein or
therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any 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, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article 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
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Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the
amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed
thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
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 of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making
of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities
pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall
not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit
the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof
from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any
trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the
Trustee, subject to the provisions of 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 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 on behalf of such holder), to
establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior
Indebtedness or
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a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the
Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect
to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to
participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 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.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article XV, the Trustee 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 indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon,
the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent
thereto or to this Article XV.
SECTION 15.07. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any
time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness,
and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as
such holder.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness 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 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
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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 15.08. 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 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 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.
ARTICLE XVI.
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
SECTION 16.01. Extension of Interest Payment Period.
So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term
of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period
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during such extension period (the "Extended Interest Payment Period"), during
which Extended Interest Payment Period no interest shall be due and payable;
PROVIDED that no Extended Interest Payment Period may extend beyond the Maturity
Date. To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest, the payment of which
has been deferred because of the extension of the interest payment period
pursuant to this Section 16.01, will bear interest thereon at the Coupon Rate
compounded semi-annually for each semi-annual period of the Extended Interest
Payment Period ("Compounded Interest"). At the end of the Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the
Securities, including any Additional Sums and Compounded Interest (together,
"Deferred Interest") that shall be payable to the holders of the Securities in
whose names the Securities are registered in the Security Register on the first
record date after the end of the Extended Interest Payment Period.
(b) During any such Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or
pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which
includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal,
interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Company (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari passu
with or junior in right of payment to the Securities or (iii) make any guarantee
payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of
any Subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions
in shares of or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares
of, common stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection
with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock
under any such plan in the future, or the prepayment or repurchase of any such
rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee,
(d) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for
another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) 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, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for
its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend
reinvestment plans).
(c) Before the termination of any Extended Interest Payment Period, the
Company may further defer payments of interest by
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further extending such period, PROVIDED that such period, together with all such
previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest Payment Period,
shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such
semi-annual period during such Extended Interest Payment Period, or extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any
Extended Interest Payment Period and the payment of all Deferred Interest then
due, the Company may elect to commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period,
subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and payable
during an Extended Interest Payment Period, except at the end thereof, but the
Company may prepay at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued during
an Extended Interest Payment Period.
SECTION 16.02. Notice of Extension.
(a) If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the
Securities at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period,
the Company shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Trustee of its selection of such Extended Interest
Payment Period at least five Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next
succeeding date on which distributions on the Trust Securities issued by W.R.
Berkley Capital Trust are payable, or (ii) the date the Trust is required to
give notice of the record date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to
any national securities exchange or to holders of the Capital Securities issued
by the Trust, but in any event at least five Business Days before such record
date.
(b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Securities
at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
shall give the holders of the Securities and the Trustee written notice of its
selection of such Extended Interest Payment Period at least 10 Business Days
before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the
date the Company is required to give notice of the record or payment date of
such interest payment to any national securities exchange.
(c) The semi-annual period in which any notice is given pursuant to
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 16.02 shall be counted as one of the 10
semi-annual periods permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period
permitted under Section 16.01. There is no limitation on the number of times
that the Company may elect to begin an Extended Interest Payment Period.
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The Bank of New York hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture
declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions hereinabove 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 .
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
By /s/ Robert S. Gorin
------------------------------
Name: Robert S. Gorin
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By /s/ Mary Jane Morrissey
-------------------------------
Name: Mary Jane Morrissey
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
(FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)
[IF THE SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT: - THIS SECURITY IS A
GLOBAL SECURITY 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
SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES 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 SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE 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) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS
MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL IN AS MUCH AS SINCE THE REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER,
SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY
"AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF
THIS SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS
SECURITY IS 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
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BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON
RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (E) 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 THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN OR FOR
THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR PURPOSES AND NOT
WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN
VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT
TO THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER
(i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF
COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY,
AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E), TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN
THE FORM APPEARING ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED
BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE COMPANY. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY
NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR
BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE.
No. CUSIP No._____________
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W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
8.197% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
DUE DECEMBER 15, 2045
W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York, as Property
Trustee, or registered assigns, the principal sum of $216,495,000 on December
15, 2045 (the "Maturity Date"), unless previously prepaid, and to pay interest
on the outstanding principal amount hereof from December 20, 1996, 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, semi-annually (subject to
deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each
year, commencing June 15, 1997, at the rate of 8.197% per annum until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal
and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of
such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of
interest at the same rate per annum compounded semi-annually. The amount of
interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than a full
calendar month, the number of days elapsed in such month. In the event that any
date on which the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on this Security
is payable is not a Business Day, then payment 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.
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 Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be the
first day of the month in which the relevant interest payment date falls. Any
such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such regular record date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (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 holders of Securities 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 Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may
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be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security
shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that, payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
(i) check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Security
Register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled
thereto, provided that proper written transfer instructions have been received
by the relevant record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the
Holder of this Security is the Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at such place
and to such account as may be designated by the Property Trustee.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to
the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this
Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take
such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his or
her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the
subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of
Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives
reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
This Security 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.
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The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side
hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to he
executed.
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:
Attest:
By:
Name:
Title:
(FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION)
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.
Dated
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By:
Authorized Signatory
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(FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY)
This Security is one of the Securities of the Company (herein
sometimes referred to as the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of December
20, 1996 (the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Company and
The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture reference
is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights,
obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and
the holders of the Securities.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Company
shall have the right to prepay this Security in whole (but not in part) at the
Special Event Prepayment Price. "Special Event Prepayment Price" shall mean,
with respect to any prepayment of the Securities following a Special Event, an
amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be
prepaid or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present
values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to
December 15, 2006, the first day on which this Security is subject to optional
prepayment, discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate,
plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any, to the date of such prepayment.
In addition, the Company shall have the right to prepay this Security,
in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2045 (an "Optional
Prepayment"), at the Optional Prepayment Price equal to the principal amount of
this Security plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) to the applicable date of prepayment.
The Special Event Prepayment Price and the Optional Prepayment Price,
as the case requires, shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the
date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Company determines,
provided, that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient
to pay the applicable Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
date such Prepayment Price is to be paid. Any prepayment pursuant to this
paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice.
If the Securities are only partially prepaid by the Company pursuant to an
Optional Prepayment, the Securities will be prepaid pro rata or by lot or by any
other method utilized by the Trustee; provided that if, at the time of
prepayment, the Securities are registered as a Global
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Security, the Depositary shall determine the particular Securities to be prepaid
in accordance with its procedures.
In the event of prepayment of this Security in part only, a new
Security or Securities for the unprepaid portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
If a Tax Event occurs, then the Company will have the right (i) prior
to the termination of the Trust, to advance the Maturity Date of this Security
to the minimum extent required, but not to a date earlier than December 20,
2026, or (ii) to terminate the Trust (if not previously terminated) and advance
the Maturity Date of this Security to the minimum extent required, but not to a
date earlier than December 20, 2036, in each case such that, in the written
opinion of counsel experienced in such matters delivered to the Company, after
advancing the Maturity Date, interest paid on the Securities shall be deductible
for federal income tax purposes.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, as defined in the Indenture,
to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to
or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture
or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities;
provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the
consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected thereby, (i)
extend the Maturity Date of any Securities, or reduce the principal amount
thereof, or reduce any amount payable on prepayment thereof, or reduce the rate
or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the
Indenture), or make the principal of, or interest or premium on, the Securities
payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect
the right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof,
or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of 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 Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of
all of the
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holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the performance of any
of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities or a
default in respect of any covenant or provision under which the Indenture cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of Securities then
outstanding. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless
revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Security and of any
Security issued in exchange heretofore 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 Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
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 Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money
herein prescribed.
The Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time
during the term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending
the interest payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10
consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period
during such extension period, and not to extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Securities (an "Extended Interest Payment Period"), at the end of which period
the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid together with
interest thereon at the rate specified for the Securities (to the extent that
payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law). Before the
termination of any such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may
further defer payments of interest by further extending such Extended Interest
Payment Period, provided that such Extended Interest Payment Period, together
with all such previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest
Payment Period, shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including
the first semi-annual period during such Extended Interest Payment Period, or
extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any
such Extended Interest Payment Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid
interest and any additional amounts then due, the Company may commence a new
Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.
The Company has agreed that it will not (i) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or prepay, purchase,
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acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's
capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock) or (ii) make any
payment of principal, interest or-premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or
prepay any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in
right of payment to the Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with
respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities or any Subsidiary
of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment
to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or
options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock
of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a stockholder rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any
such plan in the future, or the prepayment or repurchase of any such rights
pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a
result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or
the conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another
class or series of the Company's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the exchange or
conversion of such capital stock or the security being exchanged or converted,
and (f) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock or
rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or
employees or any of the Company's dividend reinvestment plans) if at such time
(i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual
knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would be, an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Company
shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if such Securities are held
by W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, the Company shall be in default with respect to
its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee or (iii)
the Company shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right
to extend the interest payment period and any such extension shall be
continuing.
The Company will have the right at any time to liquidate W.R. Berkley
Capital Trust and cause the Securities to be distributed to the holders of the
Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000.00 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in
the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions limitations as may be
contained herein and therein from time to time, this Security is transferable by
the holder hereof on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of
this Security for registration of transfer at the
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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 holder hereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities 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 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
Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the registrar may deem
and treat the holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this
Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing
hereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any,
and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor
the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any registrar shall be affected by any
notice to the contrary.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on this Security, 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 Person, 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.
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture .
THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.
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CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
This Certificate of Trust is being executed as of December 11, 1996
for the purposes of organizing a business trust pursuant to the Delaware
Business Trust Act, 12 DEL. C. Sections 3801 ET SEQ. (the "Act").
The undersigned hereby certifies as follows:
1. NAME. The name of the business trust is "W.R. Berkley Capital
Trust" (the "Trust").
2. DELAWARE TRUSTEE. The name and business address of the Delaware
resident trustee of the Trust meeting the requirements of Section 3807 of the
Act are as follows:
The Bank of New York (Delaware)
400 White Clay Center, Route 273
Newark, New Castle County, Delaware 19711
3. EFFECTIVE. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective
immediately upon filing in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being all of the trustees of the
Trust, have duly executed this Certificate of Trust as of the day and year first
above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee
/s/ Joseph G. Ernst
By: _______________________________
Name: Joseph G. Ernst
Assistant Vice President
ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEE
/s/ John D. Vollaro
By: _______________________________
Name: John D. Vollaro
ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEE
/s/ Anthony J. Del Tufo
By: _______________________________
Name: Anthony J. Del Tufo
ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEE
/s/ Robert S. Gorin
By: _______________________________
Name: Robert S. Gorin
2
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================================================================
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
December 20, 1996
================================================================
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Page
----
ARTICLE I. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS......................................2
SECTION 1.1. Definitions..................................................2
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT................................................9
SECTION 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.............................9
SECTION 2.2. Lists of Holders of Securities..............................10
SECTION 2.3. Reports by the Property Trustee.............................10
SECTION 2.4. Periodic Reports to Property Trustee........................10
SECTION 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............11
SECTION 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver...................................11
SECTION 2.7. Event of Default; Notice....................................13
ARTICLE III. ORGANIZATION.....................................................13
SECTION 3.1. Name........................................................14
SECTION 3.2. Office......................................................14
SECTION 3.3. Purpose.....................................................14
SECTION 3.4. Authority...................................................14
SECTION 3.5. Title to Property of the Trust..............................14
SECTION 3.6. Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees............15
SECTION 3.7. Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees........18
SECTION 3.8. Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee...................19
SECTION 3.9. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property
Trustee....................................................21
SECTION 3.10. Certain Rights of Property Trustee..........................23
SECTION 3.11. Delaware Trustee............................................26
SECTION 3.12. Execution of Documents......................................26
SECTION 3.13. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
Securities.................................................26
SECTION 3.14. Duration of Trust...........................................26
SECTION 3.15. Mergers.....................................................26
ARTICLE IV. SPONSOR...........................................................28
SECTION 4.1. Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.....................28
SECTION 4.2. Responsibilities of the Sponsor.............................28
SECTION 4.3. Right to Proceed............................................29
ARTICLE V. TRUSTEES...........................................................29
SECTION 5.1. Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee...............29
SECTION 5.2. Delaware Trustee............................................30
SECTION 5.3. Property Trustee; Eligibility...............................30
SECTION 5.4. Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and
Delaware Trustee Generally.................................31
SECTION 5.5. Administrative Trustees.....................................31
SECTION 5.6. Delaware Trustee............................................32
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SECTION 5.7. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees............32
SECTION 5.8. Vacancies among Trustees....................................34
SECTION 5.9. Effect of Vacancies.........................................34
SECTION 5.10. Meetings....................................................34
SECTION 5.11. Delegation of Power.........................................35
SECTION 5.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business...................................................35
ARTICLE VI. DISTRIBUTIONS.....................................................35
SECTION 6.1. Distributions...............................................35
ARTICLE VII. ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES...........................................36
SECTION 7.1. General Provisions Regarding Securities.....................36
SECTION 7.2. Execution and Authentication................................36
SECTION 7.3. Form and Dating.............................................37
SECTION 7.4. Registrar and Paying Agent..................................39
SECTION 7.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.........................40
SECTION 7.6. Replacement Securities......................................40
SECTION 7.7. Outstanding Capital Securities..............................40
SECTION 7.8. Capital Securities in Treasury..............................41
SECTION 7.9. Temporary Securities........................................41
SECTION 7.10. Cancellation................................................42
SECTION 7.11. CUSIP Numbers...............................................42
ARTICLE VIII. DISSOLUTION OF TRUST............................................43
SECTION 8.1. Dissolution of Trust........................................43
ARTICLE IX. TRANSFER OF INTERESTS.............................................44
SECTION 9.1. Transfer of Securities......................................44
SECTION 9.2. Transfer Procedures and Restrictions........................45
SECTION 9.3. Deemed Security Holders.....................................52
SECTION 9.4. Book Entry Interests........................................52
SECTION 9.5. Notices to Clearing Agency..................................53
SECTION 9.6. Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency....................53
ARTICLE X. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES,
TRUSTEES OR OTHERS .......................................53
SECTION 10.1. Liability...................................................53
SECTION 10.2. Exculpation.................................................54
SECTION 10.3. Fiduciary Duty..............................................54
SECTION 10.4. Indemnification.............................................55
SECTION 10.5. Outside Businesses..........................................59
ARTICLE XI. ACCOUNTING........................................................59
SECTION 11.1. Fiscal Year.................................................60
SECTION 11.2. Certain Accounting Matters..................................60
SECTION 11.3. Banking.....................................................60
SECTION 11.4. Withholding.................................................61
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ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS..........................................61
SECTION 12.1. Amendments..................................................61
SECTION 12.2. Meetings of the Holders of Securities;
Action by Written Consent..................................63
ARTICLE XIII. REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE........65
SECTION 13.1. Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee..........65
SECTION 13.2. Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee..........66
ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS....................................................67
SECTION 14.1. Notices.....................................................67
SECTION 14.2. Governing Law...............................................68
SECTION 14.3. Intention of the Parties....................................68
SECTION 14.4. Headings....................................................68
SECTION 14.5. Successors and Assigns......................................68
SECTION 14.6. Partial Enforceability......................................68
SECTION 14.7. Counterparts................................................68
iii
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
December 20, 1996
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and
effective as of December 20, 1996, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the
Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the Holders (as defined herein), from time to
time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to
this Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established W.R. Berkley Capital
Trust (the "Trust"), a statutory business trust formed under the Business Trust
Act (as defined herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of December
11, 1996 (the "Original Declaration"), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 11, 1996;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been
issued;
WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration,
amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to
continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such 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.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the
preamble above or elsewhere herein have the respective meanings assigned to
them in this Section 1.1;
a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning
throughout;
all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to
this Declaration (including Annex I hereto and Exhibit A hereto) as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
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;
a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration or
the context otherwise requires; and
a term defined in the Indenture (as defined below) has the same
meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this
Declaration or the context otherwise requires;
a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
"AFFILIATE" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405
under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"AGENT" means any Paying Agent or Registrar.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER" of a Person means any other Person that is
authorized to legally bind such former Person.
"BOOK ENTRY INTEREST" means a beneficial interest in a Global
Certificate registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its nominee,
ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book
entries by a Clearing Agency as described in
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SECTION 9.4.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are
authorized or required by law or executive order to close.
"BUSINESS TRUST ACT" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time
or any successor legislation.
"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 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 SECURITIES" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a).
"CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE" means the guarantee agreement dated as
of December 20, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital 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 Certificate 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 TIME" means the "Closing Time" 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 United States Securities and Exchange
Commission as from time to time constituted, or if any time after the execution
of this Declaration such Commission is not existing and performing the duties
now assigned to it under applicable Federal securities laws, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"COMMON SECURITIES" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a).
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<PAGE>
"COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE" means the guarantee agreement dated as
of December 20, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities.
"COMPANY INDEMNIFIED PERSON" means (a) any Administrative Trustee; (b)
any Affiliate of any Administrative Trustee; (c) any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any
Administrative Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or
its Affiliates.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the office of the Property Trustee at
which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at any
particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, 21W, New York, New
York 10286.
"COVERED PERSON" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the
Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holders of Securities.
"DEBENTURE ISSUER" means W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any consolidation,
amalgamation, merger or other business combination, 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 8.197% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due December 15, 2045 of the Debenture Issuer issued pursuant to the
Indenture (including, as applicable, those Debentures issued upon consummation
of the Exchange Offer).
"DEFAULT" means an event, act or condition that with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(c).
"DELAWARE TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
"DIRECT ACTION" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(e).
"DISTRIBUTION" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities
in accordance with Section 6.1.
4
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"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency.
"EXCHANGE OFFER" means the exchange offer (including any private
exchange offer) contemplated in Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights
Agreement.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" in respect of the Securities means an Event of
Default (as defined in the Indenture) that 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.
"FIDUCIARY INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning set forth in Section
10.4(b).
"GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITIES" means the Regulation S Global Capital
Securities, the Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and the Unrestricted Global
Capital Securities.
"HOLDER" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered, such
Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Business Trust Act.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary
Indemnified Person.
"INDENTURE" means the Indenture, dated as of December 20, 1996, among
the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, as amended from time to time.
"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 3.6(g).
"LIKE AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Annex I.
"LIQUIDATION AMOUNT" with respect to any Security means the amount
designated as such with respect thereto in Annex I hereto.
"MAJORITY IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT" means, with respect to the Trust
Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or by the
Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Trust 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
5
<PAGE>
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.
"OFFERING MEMORANDUM" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b).
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, a Vice President, or the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of such Person. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for 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 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.
"OPINION OF COUNSEL" shall mean a written opinion of counsel, who may
be an employee of the Sponsor, and who shall be acceptable to the Property
Trustee.
"PARTICIPANTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(b).
"PAYING AGENT" has the meaning specified in Section 7.4.
"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.
"PROPERTY TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).
6
<PAGE>
"PROPERTY TRUSTEE ACCOUNT" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(c).
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Purchase Agreement for the initial
offering and sale of Capital Securities.
"QIBS" shall mean qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule
144A.
"QUORUM" means a majority of the Administrative Trustees or, if there
are only two Administrative Trustees, both of them.
"REGISTRAR" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among W.R. Berkley Corporation,
the Trust and the initial purchasers named therein, as such agreement may be
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
"REGULATION S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act, as such
regulation may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.
"REGULATION S GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(a).
"RELATED PARTY" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns,
directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Sponsor.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, with respect to the Property Trustee, any
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee, including any
vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the
treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust
Office of the Property 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.
"RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES" has the meaning set forth
in Section 7.3(c).
"RESTRICTED CAPITAL SECURITY" means a Capital Security required by
Section 9.2 to contain a Restricted Securities Legend.
"RESTRICTED SECURITIES LEGEND" has the meaning set forth in Section
9.2.
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"RULE 3A-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act, or any
successor rule or regulation.
"RULE 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
"RULE 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
"RULE 144A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(a).
"SECURITIES" or "TRUST SECURITIES" means the Common Securities and the
Capital Securities (including, as applicable, those Capital Securities issued
upon consummation of the Exchange Offer).
"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.
"SPECIAL EVENT" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
"SPONSOR" means W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or
any successor entity resulting from any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
other business combination, 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 PROPERTY 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 MATURITY ADVANCEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the
Indenture.
"10% IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT" means, with respect to the Trust
Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or by the
Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding
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Trust 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%
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.
"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 (including the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee
and Administrative 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 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.
"UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in
Section 9.2(b).
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION.
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.
The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits,
qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
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.
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SECTION 2.2 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide the Property Trustee, unless the Property Trustee is
Registrar for the Securities, with a list (i) within 14 days after each record
date for payment of Distributions, in such form as the Property 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 Administrative Trustees 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 Property Trustee by the
Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any
other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust 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 Property Trustee. The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as
current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in a List
of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if
acting in such capacity), provided that the Property Trustee may destroy any
List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
The Property 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 PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
Within 60 days after December 15 of each year, commencing December 15,
1997, the Property Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Capital
Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture
Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust
Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of
Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and
information as are required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in
the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
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SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent provided for in this Declaration 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 Officers'
Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER.
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Capital
Securities may, by vote, 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 Event of Default under
the Indenture:
is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under
the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or
requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super
Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default
under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of
at least the proportion in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the 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 Section
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 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
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 an 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 further act, vote,
or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities.
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote, 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 Event of
Default under the Indenture:
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is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the
Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the
Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default
under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or
requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived,
except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived
such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this
Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be
waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super
Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
outstanding;
PROVIDED FURTHER, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences if 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
Property 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 Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the
Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of
Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such
Sections 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 by the
Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section
2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such 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.
A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Property
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 Section
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 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.
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SECTION 2.7 EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE.
The Property 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 Property 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
Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace
provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided
therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the Property Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible
Officer of the Property Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of
such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities.
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of
Default actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall
transmit notice of such Event of Default to the Holders of the Capital
Securities, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived. The Sponsor and the Administrative
Trustees shall file annually with the Property Trustee a certification as to
whether or not they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants
applicable to them under this Declaration.
For purposes of this Section 2.7, the Property Trustee shall not be
deemed to have knowledge of any default or Event of Default except:
a default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture; or
any default as to which the Property Trustee shall have received
written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee
charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual
knowledge.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 3.1 NAME.
The Trust is named "W.R. Berkley Capital Trust" as such name may be
modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees following written
notice to the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted
under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the
Administrative Trustees.
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SECTION 3.2 OFFICE.
The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o W.R. Berkley
Corporation, 165 Mason Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06836. On ten Business
Days' prior written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Administrative
Trustees may designate another principal office.
SECTION 3.3 PURPOSE.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell Securities including effecting the Exchange Offer, (b) use the proceeds
from the sale of the Securities to acquire the Debentures, and (c) except as
otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary,
advisable or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt
or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, mortgage or 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.
Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the
specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees shall have
exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An
action taken by the Administrative Trustees in accordance with their powers, as
set forth in Section 5.5, shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the
Trust and an action taken by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust 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.
SECTION 3.5 TITLE TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST.
Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and
the Property Trustee 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.
SECTION 3.6 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES.
The Administrative Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and
authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:
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to issue and sell the Capital Securities and the Common Securities
in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that (i) the Trust may
issue no more than two series of Capital Securities and no more than one series
of Common Securities, (ii) there shall be no interests in the Trust other than
the Securities, and (iii) the issuance of Securities shall be limited to: (i) a
simultaneous issuance of both Capital Securities and Common Securities at the
Closing Time and (ii) the issuance of a second series of Capital Securities upon
the consummation of the Exchange Offer.
in connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities and
the Common Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to:
prepare and execute, if necessary, an offering memorandum (the
"Offering Memorandum") in preliminary and final form prepared by the
Sponsor, in relation to the offering and sale of Capital Securities to QIBS
in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to institutional
"accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under
the Securities Act) and outside the United States to non-U.S. Persons in
offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act;
execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take any
acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary, in order to qualify or
register all or part of the Capital Securities in any State in which the
Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Capital Securities for
sale;
execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the New
York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq
Stock Market's National Market for listing or quotation of the Capital
Securities;
execute and deliver letters, documents, or instruments with DTC and
other Clearing Agencies relating to the Capital Securities;
if required, execute and file with the Commission a registration
statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the
Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Capital Securities under
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and
execute and enter into the Purchase Agreement providing for the sale
of the Capital Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement, a
subscription agreement providing for the sale of the Common Securities, a
subscription agreement providing for the sale of the Debentures and any
other agreements regarding the issuance and sale of Securities;
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to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the
Capital Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the
Administrative Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of
record in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the
Capital Securities and the Holders of the Common Securities;
to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written notice
of the occurrence of a Special Event;
to 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 Section 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;
to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of
the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;
to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to
legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust
("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has
the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action;
to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors and
consultants, and pay reasonable compensation for such services;
to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the
Trust Indenture Act;
to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any
Administrative Trustee;
to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any
of the purposes of the Trust;
to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, Registrar for the
Securities or to appoint a Paying Agent for the Securities as provided in
Section 7.4, except for such time as such power to appoint a Paying Agent is
vested in the Property Trustee;
to give prompt written notice to the Property Trustee and to Holders
of the Securities of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its
election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the
interest payment period under the Indenture;
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to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing;
to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the
preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Capital
Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was
created;
to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with
applicable law, that the Administrative Trustees determine in their discretion
to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set
out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:
causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;
causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income
tax purposes as a grantor trust; and
cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures
will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States
federal income tax purposes; and
to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and
tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust
to be duly prepared and filed by the Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the
Trust.
The Administrative Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Administrative Trustees shall not take
any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
forth in Section 3.3.
Subject to this Section 3.6, the Administrative Trustees shall have
none of the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in Section
3.8.
Any expenses incurred by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to this
Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.
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SECTION 3.7 PROHIBITION OF ACTIONS BY THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES.
The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Property
Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized
by this Declaration. The Trust shall not:
invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of Securities
pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;
acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;
possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;
make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
represented by the Debentures;
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;
issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of,
or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or
other than as provided in this Declaration or Annex I, (A) direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding with respect to any
remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any right 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 a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters 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 be classified as a grantor trust.
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SECTION 3.8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of
record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the
Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Property
Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may
hereafter be appointed as Property 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.
The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Debentures to the Administrative Trustees or to the Delaware
Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).
The Property Trustee shall:
establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of and under the
exclusive control of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the
Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of
the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, deposit such funds into the
Property Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Capital
Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property Trustee
Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Property Trustee
Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this
Declaration. The Property Trustee Account shall be an account that is
maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term
unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the
Capital Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under
the Securities Act;
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
upon written notice issued by the Administrative Trustees 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
events.
The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such duties
as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the terms of
the Securities.
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Subject to Section 3.9(a), the Property Trustee shall take any Legal
Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a
Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge or the Property
Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture
Act so require, and if such Property Trustee shall have failed to take such
Legal Action, the Holders of the Capital Securities may take such Legal Action,
to the same extent as if such Holders of Capital Securities held an aggregate
principal amount of Debentures equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such
Capital Securities, without first proceeding against the Property Trustee or the
Trust; 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 the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on the
date such principal, premium, if any, or interest is otherwise payable (or in
the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Capital
Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to
such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, 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 Holders of Capital Securities to the extent of any payment
made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holders of Capital Securities in such
Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of
Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy
available to the holders of the Debentures.
The Property Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either:
the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the
liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
of the Securities; or
a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted
that appointment in accordance with Section 5.7.
The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of
the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture
and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Property Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, 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 the terms of such
Securities.
The Property Trustee shall be authorized to undertake any actions
set forth in Section 317(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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For such time as the Property Trustee is the Paying Agent, the
Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons to act as additional Paying
Agents and to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on
behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such Paying Agent
shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any such
additional Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time the
Property Trustee remains as Paying Agent and a successor Paying Agent or
additional Paying Agents may be (but are not required to be) appointed at any
time by the Property Trustee.
Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have none of
the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrative Trustees
set forth in Section 3.6.
The Property 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 Property 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 OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
The Property 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 in the Securities and no implied covenants shall be read into
this Declaration against the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has
occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a
Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge, the Property
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.
No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the
Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing
or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall be
determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and in
the Securities and the Property Trustee shall not be liable except for
the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set
forth in this Declaration and in the
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Securities, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
this Declaration against the Property Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property
Trustee, the Property 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 Property
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration;
provided, however, that in the case of any such certificates or
opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be
furnished to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under
a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to
the requirements of this Declaration;
the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, unless
it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in ascertaining
the pertinent facts;
the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the
direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising
any right or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this
Declaration;
no provision of this Declaration shall require the Property 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 it shall have reasonable grounds for believing
that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to
it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory
to the Property Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it;
the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe
keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property
Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as
the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own account,
subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the
Property Trustee under this Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;
the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability
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for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of
the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or
in connection therewith;
the Property 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. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Trustee Account
maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except
to the extent otherwise required by law; and
the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor with their
respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Property Trustee be
liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrative Trustees or the
Sponsor.
SECTION 3.10 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:
the Property 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 reasonably believed by it to be
genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or
parties;
any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrative Trustees
contemplated by this Declaration may be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate;
whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established
before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property
Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in
the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an
Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be
promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrative Trustees;
the Property 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 registration thereof;
the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or
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other experts of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel
and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of
such experts' area of expertise 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 Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and
may include any of its employees. The Property Trustee shall have the
right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of
this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;
the Property 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 Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the
Property Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Property 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 Property Trustee provided, that,
nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the
Property Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its
obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this
Declaration;
the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document, but the Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see
fit;
the Property Trustee may execute any of the rights or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Property 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;
any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents hereunder
shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature
of the Property 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 Property 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 Property Trustee's or
its agent's taking such action;
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whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the
Property Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the
Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same
proportion in Liquidation Amount of the Securities as would be entitled to
direct the Property Trustee under the terms of the 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
accordance with such instructions;
except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the
Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that
is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration; and
the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken,
suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without negligence,
and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or
rights or powers conferred upon it by this Declaration.
No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty
or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any
right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction
in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be
unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any
such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No
permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee shall be
construed to be a duty.
SECTION 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
the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee 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
Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act.
SECTION 3.12 EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS.
Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Trustees, and except
as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any
Administrative Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any
documents that the Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to
execute pursuant to Section 3.6.
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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 do not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as
to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Declaration or the Securities.
SECTION 3.14 DURATION OF TRUST.
The Trust, unless dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII
hereof, shall have existence up to December 11, 2046.
SECTION 3.15 MERGERS.
The Trust may not merge or convert with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, except as described in
Section 3.15(b) and (c).
The Trust may, at the request of the Sponsor, with the consent of
the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the
Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, merge or convert with
or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety
to, a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that:
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 long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the
Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise;
the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity
that possesses the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the
holder of the Debentures;
the 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
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any;
such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Capital Securities
(including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally
recognized statistical rating organization;
such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease 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 any dilution of
such Holders' interests in the new entity);
such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust;
prior to such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Sponsor has received an
opinion of an independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters
to the effect that:
(A) such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease 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 new entity); and
(B) following such merger, conversion, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the
Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an
Investment Company; and
the Sponsor or any permitted successor or assignee owns all of the
common securities of such Successor Entity and guarantees the obligations
of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the
extent provided by the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Common
Securities Guarantee.
Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with
the consent of all Holders of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge or
convert with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, any
other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conversion,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or the
Successor Entity not to be classified as a grantor trust for
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United States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE IV
SPONSOR
SECTION 4.1 SPONSOR'S PURCHASE OF COMMON SECURITIES.
At the Closing Time, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common
Securities then issued by the Trust, in an amount at least equal to
approximately 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Capital
Securities are issued and sold.
SECTION 4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SPONSOR.
In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities and
the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and
responsibility to engage in the following activities:
to prepare the Offering Memorandum;
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;
if deemed necessary or advisable by the Sponsor, to prepare for
filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other
national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing or quotation
of the Capital Securities;
if required, to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission
a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Capital
Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments
thereto; and
to negotiate the terms of the Purchase Agreement providing for the
sale of the Capital Securities.
SECTION 4.3 RIGHT TO PROCEED.
The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of the Holders of Capital
Securities, in the event that a failure of the Trust to pay Distributions on the
Capital Securities is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay
interest or principal on the Debentures, to institute a proceeding directly
against the Debenture Issuer for enforcement of its payment obligations on the
Debentures.
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ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES
SECTION 5.1 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES; APPOINTMENT OF CO-TRUSTEE.
The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:
at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may,
by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and
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 Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of
the Common Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, the number of Trustees shall in
no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the
case of a natural Person, shall be a Person who is a resident of the State of
Delaware or that, if not a natural Person, is an entity which has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there
shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated
with the Sponsor (an "Administrative Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the
Property Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an
indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as
Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. Notwithstanding the
above, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any
time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust's property
may at the time be located, the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Common Securities acting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the
Common Securities, and the Administrative Trustees, shall have power to appoint
one or more Persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the Property
Trustee, of all or any part of the Trust's property, or to act as separate
trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided
in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in such
capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable,
subject to the provisions of this Declaration. In case an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make
any such appointment of a co-trustee.
SECTION 5.2 DELAWARE TRUSTEE.
If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee") shall be:
a natural Person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or
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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; PROVIDED THAT, if the Property Trustee has its principal place
of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and
Section 3.11 shall have no application.
SECTION 5.3 PROPERTY TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY.
There shall at all times be one Trustee (the "Property Trustee")
which shall act as Property Trustee which shall:
not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and
be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
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.
If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so
act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in the
manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c).
If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the
obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
The Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically
described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision
contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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The initial Property Trustee shall be:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 21W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
SECTION 5.4 CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES AND DELAWARE
TRUSTEE GENERALLY.
Each Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the
Property Trustee also acts as 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 ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES.
The initial Administrative Trustees shall be:
Anthony J. Del Tufo
Robert S. Gorin
John D. Vollaro
Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a
meeting of the Administrative Trustees is called with respect to any matter over
which the Administrative Trustees have power to act, any power of the
Administrative Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one
such Administrative Trustee.
Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Trustees, and
except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any
Administrative Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any
documents which the Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to
cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6.
An Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural Person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Administrative
Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to
Section 3.6.
SECTION 5.6 DELAWARE TRUSTEE.
The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:
The Bank of New York (Delaware)
White Clay Center, Route 273
Newark, New Castle County, Delaware 19711
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
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SECTION 5.7 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEES.
Subject to Section 5.7(b), any Trustee may be appointed or removed
without cause at any time:
until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed
by the Sponsor;
in the case of Administrative Trustees, after the issuance of any
Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the
Common Securities;
in the case of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, unless
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the
issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting
of the Holders of the Common Securities; and
in the case of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, if an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the issuance
of the Securities, by vote of 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.
(i) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the
qualifications to act as Property Trustee under Section 5.3 (a "Successor
Property Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and
delivered to the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor; and
(ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing
the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a
"Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware
Trustee and delivered to the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor.
A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor
shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any
Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting)
by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor
and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon
such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that:
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No such resignation or removal of the Trustee that acts as the
Property Trustee shall be effective:
(A) until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and
has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor
Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the
resigning Property Trustee; or
(B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely
liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the
Securities; and
no such resignation or removal of the Trustee that acts as the
Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has
been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by
such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and
the resigning Delaware Trustee.
The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to
promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Property Trustee, as
the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an
instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7.
If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall
have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7
within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or removal, the
Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee resigning or being removed, as applicable,
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor
Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after
prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and appropriate, appoint
a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts
or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be.
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 Administrative Trustees or, if
there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative Trustees, shall be
conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be
filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7.
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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 annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of
Administrative Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the
appointment of an Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the
Administrative Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all
the powers granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the
duties imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Declaration.
SECTION 5.10 MEETINGS.
If there is more than one Administrative Trustee, meetings of the
Administrative Trustees shall be held from time to time as needed upon the call
of any Administrative Trustee. Regular meetings of the Administrative Trustees
may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Administrative
Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Administrative Trustees 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 such
meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Administrative Trustees 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 an Administrative Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting except where an Administrative Trustee 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
Administrative Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the
Administrative Trustees 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 Administrative
Trustees. In the event there is only one Administrative Trustee, any and all
action of such Administrative Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of
such Administrative Trustee.
SECTION 5.11 DELEGATION OF POWER.
Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural Person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the
Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and
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The Administrative 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 instruments either in the name of the Trust or
the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative
Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by
applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
SECTION 5.12 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.
Any corporation into which any Trustee (excluding any Administrative
Trustee that is a natural Person) may be merged or converted or with which it
may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such
Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation 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.
Each Holder shall receive Distributions in accordance with the terms
of such Holder's Securities. If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer
makes a payment of interest (including Compounded Interest (as defined in the
Indenture) and Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium
and/or principal on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee or any other
payments with respect to the Debentures held by the Property Trustee (the amount
of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is
directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a
Distribution of the Payment Amount to Holders in accordance with the respective
terms of the Securities held by them.
ARTICLE VII
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
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SECTION 7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SECURITIES.
The Administrative Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one
class of capital securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust, which class may be divided into no more than two series
each having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Capital Securities"),
and one class 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 interests in
the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities.
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.
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.
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.
SECTION 7.2 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by an
Administrative Trustee. In case any Administrative Trustee of the Trust who
shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrative
Trustee before the Securities so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Securities nevertheless may be delivered as though the Person who signed such
Securities had not ceased to be such Administrative Trustee; and any Securities
may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such Persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Security, shall be the Administrative Trustees of the Trust,
although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such
Person was not such an Administrative Trustee.
One Administrative Trustee shall sign the Capital Securities for the
Trust by manual or facsimile signature. Unless otherwise determined by the
Trust, such signature shall, in the case of Common Securities, be a manual
signature.
A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property Trustee. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been
authenticated under this Declaration.
Upon a written order of the Trust signed by one
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Administrative Trustee, the Property Trustee shall authenticate the Capital
Securities for original issue. The aggregate number of Capital Securities
outstanding at any time shall not exceed the number set forth in Annex I hereto
except as provided in Section 7.6.
The Property Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to
the Trust to authenticate Capital Securities. An authenticating agent may
authenticate Capital Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do so. Each
reference in this Declaration to authentication by the Property Trustee includes
authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as
the Property Trustee to deal with the Sponsor or an Affiliate.
SECTION 7.3 FORM AND DATING.
The Capital Securities and the Property Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and the Common
Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is
hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Declaration.
Certificates representing the Securities may be printed, lithographed or
engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to
the Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof. The
Securities may have letters, CUSIP or other 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 Trust). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such
legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Property 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 and A-2 are part of the terms of this Declaration and
to the extent applicable, the Property Trustee, Administrative Trustees and the
Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to
be bound thereby.
GLOBAL SECURITIES. Securities offered and sold to QIBs in reliance
on Rule 144A or offered and sold outside the United States to non-U.S. Persons
in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S, 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 Restricted Securities Legend set forth
in Exhibit A-1 hereto (respectively, a "Rule 144A Global Capital Security" or
"Regulation S Global Capital Security"), which shall be deposited on behalf of
the purchasers of the Capital Securities represented thereby with the Property
Trustee, at its New York office, as custodian for the Clearing Agency, and
registered in the name of
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the Clearing Agency or a nominee of the Clearing Agency, duly executed by the
Trust and authenticated by the Property Trustee as hereinafter provided. The
number of Capital Securities represented by the Rule 144A Global Capital
Security and the Regulation S Global Capital Security may from time to time be
increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Property
Trustee and the Clearing Agency or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
BOOK-ENTRY PROVISIONS. This Section 7.3(b) shall apply only to the
Rule 144A Global Capital Securities, the Regulation S 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 Clearing Agency.
The Trust shall execute and the Property Trustee shall, in accordance
with this Section 7.3, authenticate and make available for delivery initially
one or more Rule 144A Global Capital Securities and one or more Regulation S
Global Capital Securities that (i) shall be registered in the name of Cede & Co.
or other nominee of such Clearing Agency and (ii) shall be delivered by the
Property Trustee to such Clearing Agency or pursuant to such Clearing Agency's
written instructions or held by the Property Trustee as custodian for the
Clearing Agency.
Members of, or participants in, the Clearing Agency ("Participants")
shall have no rights under this Declaration with respect to any Rule 144A Global
Capital Security or any Regulation S Global Capital Security held on their
behalf by the Clearing Agency or by the Property Trustee as the custodian of the
Clearing Agency or under such Rule 144A Global Capital Security or such
Regulation S Global Capital Security, and the Clearing Agency may be treated by
the Trust, the Property Trustee and any agent of the Trust or the Property
Trustee as the absolute owner of such Rule 144A Global Capital Security or such
Regulation S Global Capital Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Trust, the
Property Trustee or any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee from giving
effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
the Clearing Agency or impair, as between the Clearing Agency and its
Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Clearing Agency
governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any
Rule 144A Global Capital Security or any Regulation S Global Capital Security.
DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES. Except as provided in Section 7.9,
owners of beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Capital Security or a
Regulation S Global Capital Security will not be entitled to receive physical
delivery of certificated Capital Securities ("Definitive Capital Securities").
Purchasers of Securities who are "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) and did not purchase
Capital Securities in reliance on Regulation S will
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receive Capital Securities in the form of individual certificates in definitive,
fully registered form without distribution coupons and with the Restricted
Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto ("Restricted Definitive
Capital Securities"); provided, however, that upon 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 of Section 9.2. Restricted Definitive
Capital Securities will bear the Restricted Securities Legend set forth on
Exhibit A-1 unless removed in accordance with this Section 7.3 or Section 9.2.
SECTION 7.4 REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.
The Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, (i) an office or agency where Capital Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer ("Registrar") and (ii) an office or agency where
Capital Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Capital Securities and of their transfer. The
Trust may appoint the Registrar and the Paying Agent and may appoint one or more
co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents in such other locations
as it shall determine. The term "Registrar" includes any additional registrar
and the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Trust may
change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without prior notice to any
Holder. The Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30
days' written notice to the Property Trustee and the Trust. The Trust shall
notify the Property Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to
this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as
Registrar or Paying Agent, the Property Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or
any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The Trust shall act
as Paying Agent, Registrar and co-Registrar for the Common Securities.
The Trust initially appoints the Property Trustee as Registrar and
Paying Agent for the Capital Securities.
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SECTION 7.5 PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.
The Trust shall require each Paying Agent other than the Property
Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the
benefit of Holders or the Property Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent
for the payment of Liquidation Amounts or Distributions on the Securities, and
will notify the Property Trustee if there are insufficient funds for such
purpose. While any such insufficiency continues, the Property Trustee may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee. The
Trust at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the
Property Trustee and to account for any money disbursed by it. Upon payment
over to the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Trust or an
Affiliate of the Trust) shall have no further liability for the money. If the
Trust or the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Trust or the Sponsor acts as Paying
Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of
the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.
SECTION 7.6 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.
If the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost,
destroyed or wrongfully taken or if such Security is mutilated and is
surrendered to the Trust or in the case of the Capital Securities to the
Property Trustee, the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee shall
authenticate a replacement Security if the Property Trustee's and the Trust's
requirements, as the case may be, are met. An indemnity bond must be provided
by the Holder which, in the judgment of the Property Trustee, is sufficient to
protect the Trustees, the Sponsor or any authenticating agent from any loss
which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Trust may charge
such Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security.
Every replacement Security is an additional beneficial interest in the
Trust.
SECTION 7.7 OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES.
The Capital Securities outstanding at any time are all the Capital
Securities authenticated by the Property Trustee except for those cancelled by
it, those delivered to it for cancellation, and those described in this Section
as not outstanding.
If a Capital Security is replaced, paid or purchased pursuant to
Section 7.6 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Property Trustee
receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced, paid or purchased Capital
Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If Capital Securities are considered paid in full, including any and
all distributions and liquidation preferences,
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in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, they cease to be outstanding
and Distributions on them shall cease to accumulate.
A Capital Security does not cease to be outstanding because one of the
Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor holds the Security.
SECTION 7.8 CAPITAL SECURITIES IN TREASURY.
In determining whether the Holders of the required amount of
Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Capital
Securities owned by the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor, as
the case may be, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except
that for the purposes of determining whether the Property Trustee shall be fully
protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities
which the Property Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
SECTION 7.9 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Trust may
prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Property Trustee shall
authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially
in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Trust
considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the
Trust shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Property
Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary
Securities.
A Global Capital Security deposited with the Clearing Agency or with
the Property Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency pursuant to Section
7.3 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of
certificated Capital Securities only if such transfer complies with Section 9.2
and (i) the Clearing Agency notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as Clearing Agency for such Global Capital Security or if at any
time such Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency" registered under the
Exchange Act and a clearing agency is not appointed by the Sponsor within 90
days of such notice, (ii) a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or (iii) the Trust at its sole discretion elects to cause the
issuance of certificated Capital Securities.
Any Global Capital Security that is transferable to the beneficial
owners thereof in the form of certificated Capital Securities pursuant to this
Section 7.9 shall be surrendered by the Clearing Agency to the Property Trustee
located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred,
in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Property Trustee
shall authenticate and make available for delivery, upon such transfer of each
portion of such Global Capital Security, an equal aggregate Liquidation Amount
of Securities of authorized
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denominations in the form of certificated Capital Securities. Any portion of a
Global Capital Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be registered
in such names as the Clearing Agency shall direct. Any Capital Security in the
form of certificated Capital Securities delivered in exchange for an interest in
the Restricted Global Capital Security shall, except as otherwise provided by
Sections 7.3 and 9.1, bear the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit
A-1 hereto.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.9(c), the Holder of a Global
Capital Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including
Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants, to take
any action which such Holder is entitled to take under this Declaration or the
Securities.
In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in
Section 7.9(b), the Trust will promptly make available to the Property Trustee a
reasonable supply of certificated Capital Securities in fully registered form
without Distribution coupons.
SECTION 7.10 CANCELLATION.
The Trust at any time may deliver Capital Securities to the Property
Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the
Property Trustee any Capital Securities surrendered to them for registration of
transfer, redemption, exchange or payment. The Property Trustee shall promptly
cancel all Capital Securities surrendered for registration of transfer,
redemption, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of
canceled Capital Securities as the Trust directs, provided that the Property
Trustee shall not be obligated to destroy Capital Securities. The Trust may not
issue new Capital Securities to replace Capital Securities that it has paid or
that have been delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation or that any
Holder has exchanged.
SECTION 7.11 CUSIP NUMBERS.
The Trust in issuing the Capital Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers
(if then generally in use), and, if so, the Property 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 a 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 Property Trustee
of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
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ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 DISSOLUTION OF TRUST.
The Trust shall automatically dissolve:
upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;
upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or liquidation or
its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor;
following the distribution of a Like Amount of the Debentures to the
Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms thereof upon receipt of the
following: (A) a written direction from the Sponsor while the Debentures
are outstanding requiring the Administrative Trustees to dissolve the Trust
and distribute a Like Amount of the Debentures to Holders of the
Securities; and (B) an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters
addressed to the Trust, which opinion may rely on published rulings of the
Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Securities
will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax
purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the distribution
of the Debentures;
upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Trust by a
court of competent jurisdiction;
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;
upon the repayment of the Debentures or at such time as no
Debentures are outstanding;
the expiration of the term of the Trust provided in Section 3.14; or
following the distribution of a Like Amount of the Debentures to the
Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms thereof upon receipt of a
written notice from the Sponsor that it intends to effect a Tax Event
Maturity Advancement and directing the Administrative Trustees to dissolve
the Trust and distribute a Like Amount of the Debentures to the Holders of
the Securities.
As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred
to in Section 8.1(a), the Trust shall be wound up pursuant to Section 3808 of
the Business Trust Act and the Administrative Trustees shall file a certificate
of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
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The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
dissolution of the Trust.
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
SECTION 9.1 TRANSFER OF SECURITIES.
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. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security
not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void.
Subject to this Article IX, Capital Securities may only be
transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Declaration. Any transfer or purported transfer of any
security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void.
Subject to Section 3.15, the Sponsor may not transfer the Common
Securities.
The Administrative Trustees shall provide for the registration of
Securities and of the transfer of Securities, which will be effected without
charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Administrative Trustees
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 Administrative Trustees 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 Administrative
Trustees duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized
in writing. Each Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be
canceled by the Administrative Trustees. 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.
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SECTION 9.2 TRANSFER PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS.
GENERAL. If Capital Securities are issued upon the transfer,
exchange or replacement of Capital Securities bearing the Restricted Securities
Legend set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto, or if a request is made to remove such
Restricted Securities Legend on Capital Securities, the 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 there is delivered to
the Trust and the Property Trustee such satisfactory evidence, which shall
include an Opinion of Counsel licensed to practice law in the State of New York,
as may be reasonably required by the Sponsor and the Property Trustee, that
neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are
required to ensure that transfers thereof are made pursuant to an exception from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act or, with respect to
Restricted Securities, that such Securities are not "restricted" within the
meaning of Rule 144. Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Property
Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver
Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES. When
Definitive Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or co-Registrar
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Capital
securities or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Capital Securities which became
mutilated, destroyed, defaced, stolen or lost, for an equal number of
Definitive Capital Securities,
the Registrar or co-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
transfer or exchange:
shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trust and the Registrar or
co-Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing; and
in the case of Definitive Capital Securities that are Restricted
Definitive Capital Securities:
(A) if such Restricted 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; or
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(B) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being transferred:
(i) a certification from the transferor in a form substantially
similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in
Exhibit A-1, and (ii) if the Trust or Registrar so requests, evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them as to the compliance with the
restrictions set forth in the Restricted Securities Legend.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF A DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITY FOR A
BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY. A Definitive Capital Security
may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security
except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by
the Property Trustee of a Definitive Capital Security, duly endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the
Property Trustee, together with:
if such Definitive Capital Security is a Restricted Capital
Security, a written certificate (in a form substantially similar to that
attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1); provided,
however, that such Definitive Capital Security may only be exchanged for an
interest in a Regulation S Global Security where such Definitive Capital
Security is being transferred pursuant to Regulation S or Rule 144 (if
available); and
whether or not such Definitive Capital Security is a Restricted
Capital Security, written instructions directing the Property Trustee to
make, or to direct the Clearing Agency to make, an adjustment on its books
and records with respect to the appropriate Global Capital Security to
reflect an increase in the number of the Capital Securities represented by
such Global Capital Security,
then the Property Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Capital Security and
cause, or direct the Clearing Agency to cause, the aggregate number of Capital
Securities represented by the appropriate Global Capital Security to be
increased accordingly. If no Global Capital Securities are then outstanding,
the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee shall authenticate, upon written
order of any Administrative Trustee, an appropriate number of Capital Securities
in global form.
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITIES. Subject to
Section 9.02(e), the transfer and exchange of Global Capital Securities or
beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Clearing Agency, in
accordance with this Declaration (including applicable restrictions on transfer
set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Clearing Agency therefor.
TRANSFER OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY FOR A
DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITY.
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Any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security
may upon request, but only upon 20 days prior notice to the Property
Trustee, and if accompanied by the information specified below, exchange
such beneficial interest for a Definitive Capital Security representing the
same number of Capital Securities. Upon receipt by the Property Trustee
from the Clearing Agency or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a
beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security of written instructions or
such other form of instructions as is customary for the Clearing Agency or
the Person designated by the Clearing Agency as having such a beneficial
interest in a Restricted Capital Security and a certification from the
transferor (in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the
"Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1), which may be submitted by facsimile,
then the Property Trustee will cause the aggregate number of Capital
Securities represented by Global Capital Securities to be reduced on its
books and records and, following such reduction, the Trust will execute and
the Property Trustee will authenticate and make available for delivery to
the transferee a Definitive Capital Security.
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
Clearing Agency, pursuant to instructions from its Participants or indirect
participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Property Trustee in writing.
The Property Trustee shall deliver such Capital Securities to the Persons
in whose names such Capital Securities are so registered in accordance with
such instructions of the Clearing Agency.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITIES.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration (other than the
provisions set forth in subsection (g) of this Section 9.2), a Global Capital
Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Clearing Agency to a
nominee of the Clearing Agency or another nominee of the Clearing Agency or by
the Clearing Agency or any such nominee to a successor Clearing Agency or a
nominee of such successor Clearing Agency.
Prior to the expiration of the restricted period, as contemplated by
Regulation S, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Capital Security
may be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Capital
Security only if such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the
Capital Securities pursuant to Rule 144A and the transferor first delivers to
the Property Trustee a written certificate (in a form substantially similar to
that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in Exhibit A-1) to the effect
that the Capital Securities are being transferred to a Person who the transferor
reasonably believes is a QIB, purchasing for its own account or the account of a
QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of
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Rule 144A and in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of
the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Capital Security may be
transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the
Regulation S Global Capital Security, whether before or after the expiration of
such restricted period, as contemplated by Regulation S, only if the transferor
first delivers to the Property Trustee a written certificate (in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as the "Form of Assignment" in
Exhibit A-1) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with
Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available) and that, if such
transfer occurs prior to the expiration of such restricted period, the interest
transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or CEDEL.
AUTHENTICATION OF DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES. If at any time:
there occurs a Default or an Event of Default which is continuing,
or
the Trust, in its sole discretion, notifies the Property Trustee in
writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Capital
Securities under this Declaration,
then the Trust will execute, and the Property Trustee, upon receipt of a written
order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee requesting the
authentication and delivery of Definitive Capital Securities to the Persons
designated by the Trust, will authenticate and make available for delivery
Definitive Capital Securities, equal in number to the number of Capital
Securities represented by the Global Capital Securities, in exchange for such
Global Capital Securities.
LEGEND.
Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), each Capital
Security certificate evidencing the Global Capital Securities and the
Definitive Capital Securities (and all Capital Securities issued in
exchange therefor or substitution thereof, except in the Exchange Offer)
shall bear a legend (the "Restricted Securities Legend") in substantially
the following form:
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES
LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE
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DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
AGREES NOT TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL
SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION
TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF
THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH
THE CORPORATION OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS
THE OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) EXCEPT (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY IS 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) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S.
PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE
MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) 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 THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A
VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F)
PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT
TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRUST AND THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY
SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D), (E)
OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL,
CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH
OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E), TO REQUIRE THAT A
CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE REVERSE
OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE
TRANSFEREE TO THE TRUST. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT
WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
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CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT
OF THIS LEGEND.
and in the case of the Regulation S Global Capital Security
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE
UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S.
PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE.
Upon any sale or transfer of a Restricted Capital Security
(including any Restricted Capital Security represented by a Global Capital
Security) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act:
(A) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that is a
Definitive Capital Security, the Registrar shall permit the Holder
thereof to exchange such Restricted Capital Security for a Definitive
Capital Security that does not bear the Restricted Securities Legend
and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Restricted Capital
Security; and
(B) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that is
represented by a Global Capital Security, the Registrar shall permit
the Holder of such Global Capital Security to exchange such Global
Capital Security for another Global Capital Security that does not
bear the Restricted Securities Legend.
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 Clearing
Agency for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Property 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 Property Trustee (if it
is then the custodian for such Global Capital Security) with respect to such
Global Capital Security, by the Property Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to
reflect such reduction.
OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES OF CAPITAL
SECURITIES.
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To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trust shall
execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Capital
Securities and Global Capital Securities at the Registrar's or
co-Registrar's request in accordance with the terms of this Declaration.
Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without
charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Trust or the
Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge
that may be imposed in relation to it.
The Registrar or co-Registrar shall not be required to register the
transfer of or exchange of (a) Capital Securities during a period beginning
at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of
redemption or any notice of selection of Capital Securities for redemption
and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (b) any
Capital Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Capital Security being redeemed in part.
Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any
Capital Security, the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the
Registrar or any co-Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a
Capital Security is registered as the absolute Holder of such Capital
Security for the purpose of receiving Distributions on such Capital
Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Trust, the
Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-Registrar shall
be affected by notice to the contrary.
All Capital Securities issued upon any transfer 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 transfer or exchange.
NO OBLIGATION OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
The Property Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to
any beneficial owner of a Global Capital Security, a Participant in the
Clearing Agency or other 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 Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other
than the Clearing Agency) of 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
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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 Property
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.
The Property 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.
MINIMUM TRANSFERS. Capital Securities may only be transferred in
minimum blocks of $100,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount until such Capital
Securities are registered pursuant to an effective registration statement filed
under the Securities Act or "unrestricted" pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
SECTION 9.3 DEEMED SECURITY HOLDERS.
The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Security shall be
registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole Holder of such
Security 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 Security on the part of any Person, whether
or not the Trust shall have actual or other notice thereof.
SECTION 9.4 BOOK ENTRY INTERESTS.
Global Capital Securities shall initially be registered on the books
and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the Clearing
Agency, and no Capital Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive
Capital Security Certificate representing such Capital Security Beneficial
Owner's interests in such Global Capital Securities, except as provided in
Section 9.2. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Capital Securities
certificates have been issued to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners pursuant
to Section 9.2:
the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full
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force and effect;
the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the
Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of
Distributions on the Global Capital Securities and receiving approvals, votes or
consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Capital Securities and the sole holder
of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Capital Security
Beneficial Owners;
to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with
any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4
shall control; and
the rights of the Capital Security Beneficial Owners shall be
exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Capital Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and
receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to
such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the
Clearing Agency Participants.
SECTION 9.5 NOTICES TO CLEARING AGENCY.
Whenever a notice or other communication to the Capital Security
Holders is required under this Declaration, the Trustees shall give all such
notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Holders of Global
Capital Security to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to
the Capital Security Beneficial Owners.
SECTION 9.6 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CLEARING AGENCY.
If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as
securities depositary with respect to the Capital Securities the Administrative
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, 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.
Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities
Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:
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
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required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of Securities any
deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.
The Sponsor 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 Trust's assets.
Pursuant to Section 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.
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 Person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
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 Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to
Holders of Securities might properly be paid.
SECTION 10.3 FIDUCIARY DUTY.
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 Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person.
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Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:
whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered
Persons; or
whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein
or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that
is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any
Holder of Securities,
the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at
law or in equity or otherwise.
Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or
required to make a decision:
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
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.
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SECTION 10.4 INDEMNIFICATION.
(i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise becomes involved
in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than
an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that
he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good
faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that
his conduct was unlawful.
(ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise becomes involved
in any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the
right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the
fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such
action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust
and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of
any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to
the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such Person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.
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(iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be
successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an
action without prejudice or the settlement of 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) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this
Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
Debenture Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person
is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such
determination shall be made (1) by the Administrative Trustees by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Administrative Trustees
who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a
quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of
disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of
the Trust.
(v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred
by a Company Indemnified Person in defending or participating in a
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section
10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to
repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in
this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall
be made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and
promptly made (i) by the Administrative Trustees by a majority vote of
a quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees, (ii) if such a
quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of
disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security Holder of
the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrative
Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such
determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad
faith or in a
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manner that such Person did not reasonably believe to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or
had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event
shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrative
Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder
reasonably determine that such Person deliberately breached his duty
to the Trust or its Common Security Holders or Capital Security
Holders.
(vi) The indemnification and advancement 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 and advancement of expenses may be
entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors of the Debenture Issuer or Common Security Holders or
Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action
in their 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
Debenture Issuer and each Company 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.
(vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a Company
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 Debenture Issuer would have the power to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this
Section 10.4(a).
(viii) 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.
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(ix) The indemnification and advancement 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 a Company Indemnified Person and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
such a Person.
The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee,
(ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees' representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through
(iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold
each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability,
damage, claim or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income
of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person) incurred without gross negligence or bad
faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and
expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself
against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise
or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to
indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the satisfaction
and discharge of this Declaration.
SECTION 10.5 OUTSIDE BUSINESSES.
Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee 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 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
Property 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 Property 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 Property 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.
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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.
At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrative
Trustees 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 accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for
United States federal income tax purposes. 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 Administrative Trustees.
The Administrative Trustees 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.
The Administrative Trustees 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 Administrative Trustees shall
endeavor to deliver all such information statements within 30 days after the end
of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.
The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and
filed with the appropriate taxing authority, 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 Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or
local taxing authority.
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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 Property Trustee shall be made directly to
the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited
in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall
be designated by the Administrative Trustees; provided, however, that the
Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee
Account.
SECTION 11.4 WITHHOLDING.
The Trust and the Administrative Trustees shall comply with all
withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The
Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, 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 Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in
fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrative Trustees 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
Trust 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 Holder.
In the event of any claimed over withholding, 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 Trust may reduce
subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 12.1 AMENDMENTS.
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:
the Administrative Trustees (or if there are more than two
Administrative Trustees a majority of the Administrative Trustees);
if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or
immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee; and
if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
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obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee.
No amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall
be void and ineffective:
unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Property Trustee
shall have first received 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);
unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the
rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee,
the Property 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),
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Property Trustee shall not be required to sign
any such amendment, and
to the extent 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
Property 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;
At such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain
outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or
preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such
additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities;
Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without
the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities;
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Article Four shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders
of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities, and;
The rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under Article
Five 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 Common Securities; and
Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended by
the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor without the
consent of the Holders of the Securities to:
cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this
Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other provision of this
Declaration or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
questions arising under this Declaration which shall not be inconsistent
with the other provisions of the Declaration; and
to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of this Declaration to
such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust
at all times that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the
Trust will not be required to register as an Investment Company under the
Investment Company Act;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of clause (i), such action shall not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders of the
Securities, and any amendments of this Declaration shall become effective when
notice thereof is sent to the Holders of the Securities.
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Section 12.2 MEETINGS OF THE HOLDERS OF SECURITIES; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT.
Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at
any time by the Administrative Trustees (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. The Administrative Trustees
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 Administrative Trustees one or
more notices in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities wish to
call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the
meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall
specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities
exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall
be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth
in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.
Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of
Securities:
notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of
Securities having a right to vote thereat at least seven days and not more
than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or
approval of the Holders of 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, such vote, consent or
approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any
action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be
taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing setting forth
the action so taken is signed by the Holders of 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 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 Securities entitled to vote who have not consented
in writing. The Administrative Trustees may specify that any written
ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any
action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time
specified by the Administrative Trustees;
each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it by
proxy on all matters in which a Holder of
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Securities is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any
meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy 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 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 Administrative Trustees or by such other Person that the Administrative
Trustees may designate; and
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 or trading,
otherwise provides, the Administrative Trustees, 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 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 PROPERTY TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
SECTION 13.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Property Trustee that:
The Property Trustee is a New York banking corporation with trust
powers and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its
obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;
The execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of
the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Property Trustee. The Declaration has been duly executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
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obligation of the Property 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);
The execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the
Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or
by-laws of the Property Trustee; and
No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any New York State or federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Property Trustee of this Declaration.
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 Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Delaware Trustee that:
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:
The execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of
this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Delaware Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed and
delivered by the Delaware Trustee and 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);
The execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the
Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or
by-laws of the Delaware Trustee; and
No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery
or performance by the
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Delaware Trustee of this Declaration; and
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.
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:
if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrative Trustees at the
Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may
give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
165 Mason Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06836
Attention: Robert S. Gorin
Administrative Trustee
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)
White Clay Center, Route 273
Newark, New Castle County, Delaware 19711
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
if given to the Property Trustee, at the Property Trustee's mailing
address set forth below (or such other address as the Property Trustee may give
notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 21W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
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 to the Trust):
W.R. Berkley Corporation
165 Mason Street
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Greenwich, Connecticut 06836
Attention: Robert S. Gorin
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
principles of conflict of laws.
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.
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 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 so expressed.
SECTION 14.6 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.
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SECTION 14.7 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 to one 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.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Anthony Del Tufo
________________________________
Anthony J. Del Tufo, as
Administrative Trustee
/s/ Robert S. Gorin
________________________________
Robert S. Gorin, as
Administrative Trustee
/s/ John D. Vollaro
________________________________
John D. Vollaro, as
Administrative Trustee
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (Delaware),
as Delaware Trustee
/s/ Joseph G. Ernst
By:_____________________________
Name: Joseph G. Ernst
Title: Assistant Vice President
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Property Trustee
/s/ Mary Jane Morrissey
By:_____________________________
Name: Mary Jane Morrissey
Title: Vice President
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION,
as Sponsor
/s/ Robert S. Gorin
By:_____________________________
Name: Robert S. Gorin
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
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ANNEX I
TERMS OF
8.197% CAPITAL SECURITIES
8.197% COMMON SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust, dated as of December 20, 1996 (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 (collectively, the "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 such Declaration, as defined in the Indenture or the
Offering Memorandum dated December 11, 1996 of the Trust and the Corporation
relating to the Securities):
1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER.
(a) CAPITAL SECURITIES. 210,000 Capital Securities of the Trust, with an
aggregate Liquidation Amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of two
hundred ten million dollars ($210,000,000), and with a Liquidation Amount with
respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per security, are hereby designated
for the purposes of identification only as "8.197% Capital Securities" (the
"Capital Securities"). Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer a second series
of the Capital Securities may be issued which shall be identical in all respects
to the series of Capital Securities issued at the Closing Time except that such
Capital Securities will not be subject to (i) the transfer restrictions under
the Securities Act contained in the series of Capital Securities issued at the
Closing Time (except Private Exchange Securities (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement), which may be subject to such restrictions), (ii) the $100,000
minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction set forth in Section 9.2(l) of
the Declaration or (iii) any increase in the Distribution rate thereon under the
Registration Rights Agreement. The 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 or quotation system on which the Capital Securities are listed or
quoted.
(b) COMMON SECURITIES. 6,495 Common Securities of the Trust with an
aggregate Liquidation Amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of six
million four hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($6,495,000) and a Liquidation
Amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per security, are
hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "8.197% Common
Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The certificates evidencing the Common
Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to
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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 fixed at a rate per
annum of 8.197% (the "Coupon Rate") of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per
Security (the "Liquidation Amount"), such rate being the rate of interest
payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in
arrears for more than one semi-annual period will bear additional distributions
thereon compounded semi-annually at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by
applicable law). The term "Distributions", as used herein, includes
distributions of any such interest unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is
payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures
held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds on
hand legally available therefor.
(b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accumulate
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from December 20, 1996, and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on
June 15, 1997, except as otherwise described below. The amount of Distributions
payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months and for any period of less than a full
calendar month on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such month.
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 shall be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest
or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect
as if made on such date (each date on which Distributions are payable in
accordance with the foregoing, a "Distribution Date"). So long as no Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer
has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for
a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first
such semi-annual period during such period (each an "Extension Period"),
provided that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. Upon any such election, Distributions will be deferred during such
Extension Period. Notwithstanding such deferral, Distributions to which holders
of Securities are entitled shall continue to accumulate additional Distributions
thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law but not at a rate greater
than the rate at which interest is then accruing on the Debentures) at the
Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Dates during
any such Extension Period. Prior to the expiration of any Extension Period, the
Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending
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such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together with all
such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not
exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual
period during such Extension Period, or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. Upon the expiration of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements.
(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 first day of the
month in which the relevant Distribution Date occurs. 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 follows: (i) if the Capital
Securities are held in global form by a Clearing Agency (or its nominee), in
accordance with the procedures of the Clearing Agency; and (ii) if the Capital
Securities are held in definitive form, by check mailed to the address of the
Holder thereof as reflected in the records of the Registrar unless otherwise
agreed by the Trust. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall
be the same as the record dates for the Capital Securities. Distributions
payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Date
will cease to be payable to the Holder 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
determined in accordance with the Indenture.
(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) pursuant to Section 8 among the Holders
of the Securities.
3. LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION.
In the event of any dissolution or termination of the Trust or the
Sponsor otherwise gives notice of its election to liquidate the Trust pursuant
to Section 8.1(a)(iii) of the Declaration, the Trust shall be liquidated by the
Administrative Trustees as expeditiously as the Administrative Trustees
determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, to the Holders of the
Securities a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Debentures, unless such
distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in
which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Trust legally available for distribution to Holders, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount
equal to the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount
being the "Liquidation Distribution").
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"Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the
Securities, Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount
of Debentures to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with respect to
a distribution of Debentures upon the liquidation of the Trust, Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Securities of
the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.
If, upon any such liquidation, the Liquidation Distribution can be
paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets on hand legally
available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the
amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Securities shall be paid on a Pro
Rata basis as set forth in Section 8 hereof.
4. REDEMPTION AND DISTRIBUTION.
(a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures on the Maturity Date thereof or
prepayment thereof (in whole or in part) prior thereto in accordance with the
terms thereof, the proceeds from such repayment or prepayment shall be
simultaneously applied by the Property Trustee (subject to the Property Trustee
having received notice no later than 45 days prior to such repayment or
prepayment) to redeem a Like Amount of the Securities at a redemption price
equal to (i) in the case of the repayment of the Debentures on the Maturity
Date, the Maturity Redemption Price (as defined below), (ii) in the case of the
optional prepayment of the Debentures upon the occurrence and continuation of a
Special Event, the Special Event Redemption Price (as defined below) and (iii)
in the case of the optional prepayment of the Debentures other than as a result
of the occurrence and continuance of a Special Event, the Optional Redemption
Price (as defined below). The Maturity Redemption Price, the Special Event
Redemption Price and the Optional Redemption Price are referred to collectively
as the "Redemption Price".
(b)(i) The "Maturity Redemption Price", with respect to a redemption of
Securities, shall mean an amount equal to the principal of and accrued interest
on the Debentures as of the Maturity Date thereof.
(ii) "Optional Redemption Price" shall mean a price equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed, plus accrued
interest thereon to the date of prepayment.
(iii) "Special Event Redemption Price" shall mean a price equal to
the greater of (i) 100% of the Liquidation Amount of Securities to be redeemed
or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of
the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Debentures to
December 15, 2006 (the first date on which the Debentures are subject to
optional prepayment), discounted to the prepayment date on a semiannual basis
(assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted
Treasury Rate, plus, in each case,
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accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon, if any, to the date of such
prepayment.
(c) On and from the date fixed by the Administrative Trustees for any
distribution of Debentures and liquidation of the Trust: (i) the Securities will
no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) each Holder of Securities will
receive a registered certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to
be delivered upon such distribution and (iii) Securities will be deemed to
represent beneficial interests in a Like Amount of Debentures, and bearing
accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid
Distributions on such Securities, until such Securities are presented to the
Administrative Trustee or their agent for cancellation and such Debentures are
transferred to the Holders of such Securities.
(d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding
Securities unless all accumulated and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Securities for all semi-annual Distribution periods that expire on or before the
date of redemption.
(e) The procedure with respect to redemptions or distributions of
Debentures shall be as follows:
(i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
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 repayment or prepayment 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(e)(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 Securities. Each
Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities
at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the
Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of
either 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 Securities, it being understood that, in respect of Capital
Securities registered in the name of and held of record by a Clearing Agency or
its nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to
the Clearing Agency and disbursed by such Clearing Agency in accordance with the
procedures applied by such agency or nominee.
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(iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
Redemption/Distribution Notice, such notice shall be irrevocable and (A) with
respect to Capital Securities registered in the name of or held of record by a
Clearing Agency or its nominee, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property
Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related maturity or
prepayment of the Debentures by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Maturity
Date or the date of prepayment, as the case may be, the Property Trustee or the
Paying Agent will pay to the Clearing Agency or its nominee funds sufficient to
pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to such Capital Securities, and
(B) with respect to Capital Securities issued in certificated form and Common
Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a
sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related maturity or prepayment
of the Debentures, the Property Trustee or the Paying Agent will pay the
relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of such Securities against presentation
to the Registrar of the certificates therefor. If a Redemption/Distribution
Notice shall have been given and funds deposited with the Property Trustee to
pay the Redemption Price (including all unpaid Distributions) with respect to
the Securities called for redemption, then immediately prior to the close of
business on the redemption date, Distributions will cease to accumulate 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 Redemption Price, but without interest on such
Redemption Price, and such Securities shall cease to be outstanding.
(iv) Payment of accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the
redemption date of any Securities will be subject to the rights of Holders of
such Securities on the close of business on a regular record date in respect of
a Distribution Date occurring on or prior to such Redemption Date.
(v) Neither the Administrative Trustees nor the Trust shall be
required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of (A) any
Securities beginning on the opening of business 15 days before the day of
mailing of a Redemption/Distribution Notice or (B) any Securities selected for
redemption (except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed). If
any date fixed for redemption of 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 (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 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 Property Trustee or
the Paying Agent or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant
Securities Guarantee, or the date fixed for redemption, Distributions on such
Securities will continue to accumulate from
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such 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.
(vi) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
limitation, United States federal securities laws), the Sponsor or any of its
Affiliates 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.
(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.
(b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee for
the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities, the Trustees shall not (i)
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on
such Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past
default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of the Indenture, (iii) exercise any
right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the
principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or
termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where such consent shall be
required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of
a majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital Securities;
provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the
consent of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be
given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each Holder of the
Capital Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Capital Securities except
by subsequent vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall notify each
Holder of Capital Securities of any notice of default with respect to the
Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders of
the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the
Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that the Trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes on account of such
action.
If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer
to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on any due
date (including any Interest Payment Date or prepayment date or Maturity Date),
then a Holder of Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for
enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on a Like Amount of Debentures (a
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"Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Common
Securities Holders will be subrogated to the rights of the Holder of Capital
Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to the
Holders of Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the
second preceding sentence, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.
Any required approval of Holders of Capital Securities may be given at
a separate meeting of Holders of Capital Securities convened for such purpose,
at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to
written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting
at which Holders of 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 Capital 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 consent.
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 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 be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or
consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
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 Holders of the Common
Securities will have no voting rights.
(b) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by the Holder of the Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the
holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the
right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the holder of the Common
Securities.
I-8
<PAGE>
No resignation or removal of a 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.
(c) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee for
the benefit of the Holders of the Trust Securities, the Trustees shall not (i)
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Debenture Trustee, or execute any trust or power conferred on
such Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past
default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of the Indenture, (iii) exercise any
right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the
principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or
termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where such consent shall be
required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of
a majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Common Securities; provided,
however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of
each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by
the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each Holder of the Common
Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously authorized or
approved by a vote of the Holders of the Common Securities except by subsequent
vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of Common
Securities of any notice of default with respect to the Debentures. In addition
to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders of the Common Securities,
prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall obtain an
Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust will
not be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes on account of such action.
If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer
to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on the due
date (including any Interest Payment Date or prepayment date or Maturity Date),
then a Holder of Common Securities may institute a Direct Action for enforcement
of payment to such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
a Like Amount of Debentures on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Common
Securities Holders will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of Capital
Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to Holders
of Common Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the second
preceding sentence, the Holders of Common Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.
Any required approval of Holders of Common Securities may be given at
a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at
a meeting of all of the Holders of
I-9
<PAGE>
Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Administrative
Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of 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 record of
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.
In addition to the requirements set out in Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, the Declaration may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor,
the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the
Holders of the Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any
provisions in the Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other
provisions, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the Declaration which shall not be inconsistent with the other
provisions of the Declaration, or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any
provisions of the Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure
that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes
as a grantor trust at all times that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure
that the Trust will not be required to register as an "investment company" under
the Investment Company Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of clause (i),
such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of
any Holder of Securities. Any amendments of the Declaration pursuant to the
foregoing shall become effective when notice thereof is sent to the Holders of
the Securities. The Declaration also may be amended by the Trustees and the
Sponsor (i) with the consent of Holders representing a majority in Liquidation
Amount of all outstanding Securities and (ii) upon receipt by the Trustees of an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any
power granted to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect
the Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes or the Trust's exemption from status as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act; PROVIDED THAT, without the consent of each Holder of
Securities, the 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 of Securities to
I-10
<PAGE>
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
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 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
under the Declaration 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 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 Common
Securities pro rata according to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of 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 the Common Securities and
payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities, except that,
if an Event of Default under the Declaration occurs and is continuing, no
payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation,
redemption or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities shall be made
until the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full the
Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution and other payments to
which they are entitled at such time.
10. ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITIES GUARANTEE AND INDENTURE.
Each Holder of Capital Securities and Common Securities, by the
acceptance thereof, 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 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
I-11
<PAGE>
(as may be appropriate), and the Indenture (including any supplemental
indenture) to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its
principal place of business.
I-12
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[IF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY, INSERT: THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN
THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY
THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.]
[IF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS A RULE 144A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT:
UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE TRUST OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL
SECURITY 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.]
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL 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, SUCH REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES
NOT TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE
DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE
LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE
COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY
(OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE
PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT TO A PERSON IT
A1-1
<PAGE>
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) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT
OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (E) 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 THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT
WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN
VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT
TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRUST AND THE COMPANY PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D), (E) OR (F), TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH
OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E), TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER
TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A
TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM OF THE TRUST DATED DECEMBER 11, 1996. SUCH HOLDER
FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY
IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO
AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLAN SUBJECT TO THE EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS
AMENDED ("ERISA") OR (ii) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDINGS OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY
BY IT IS NOT PROHIBITED BY EITHER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, OR EXEMPT FROM ANY SUCH
PROHIBITION.
[IF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS A REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT:
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY
NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR
BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS
AVAILABLE.]
A1-2
<PAGE>
Certificate Number Number of Capital Securities
CUSIP NO.
Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities
of
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
8.197% Capital Securities
(Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST, a statutory business trust formed under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of __________________
capital securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Trust designated the 8.197% Capital Securities
(Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities").
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 set forth herein, in the
reverse hereof and in the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of the Trust dated as of December 20, 1996, as the same may be
amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), and shall in all respects be
subject to the provisions thereof, including the designation of the terms of
the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Each
capitalized term used but not defined herein or in any legend form or
certificate hereon shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The
Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Capital Securities
Guarantee and the Indenture to any Holder without charge upon written request
to the Trust at its principal place of business.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.
By its acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to treat, for United
States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Capital Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
A1-3
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this 20th
day of December, 1996.
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
By:_____________________________
Name: Robert S. Gorin
Title: Administrative Trustee
PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Capital Securities referred to in the
within-mentioned Declaration.
Dated: _____________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Property Trustee
By:__________________________
Authorized Signatory
A1-4
<PAGE>
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be fixed at a rate
per annum of 8.197% (the "Coupon Rate") of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per
Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures
to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually at the
Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term
"Distributions", as used herein, includes such cash distributions and any such
interest payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the
extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property
Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds on hand legally
available therefor.
Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or,
if no Distributions have been paid, from December 20, 1996 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on
June 15, 1997, except as otherwise described below and in the Declaration.
Distributions will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months and, for any period of less than a full calendar month, the
number of days elapsed in such month. As long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the
right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for
a period not exceeding 10 consecutive calendar semiannual periods, including the
first such semi-annual period during such extension period (each an "Extension
Period"), provided that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the Maturity
Date of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will
also be deferred. Despite such deferral, semi-annual Distributions will
continue to accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by
applicable law, but not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing
on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during any such
Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the
Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending
such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together with all
such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not
exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first semiannual period
during such Extension Period, or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. Payments of Distributions that have accumulated during any
Extension Period will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and
records of the Trust on the record date for the first scheduled Distribution
payment date following the expiration of such Extension Period. Upon the
expiration of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the
Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to
A1-5
<PAGE>
the above requirements.
The Administrative Trustees shall, at the direction of the Sponsor, at
any time liquidate the Trust and cause the Debentures to be distributed to the
holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or, simultaneously with
any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the Securities to be
redeemed by the Trust.
The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
A1-6
<PAGE>
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's 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:____________________________
________________________
* 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 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 Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A1-7
<PAGE>
[Include the following if the Capital Security bears a Restricted Capital
Securities Legend]
In connection with any transfer of any of the Capital Securities evidenced by
this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Capital Securities are
being:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) exchanged for the undersigned's own account without transfer; or
(2) transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933; or
(3) transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S under
the Securities Act of 1933; or
(4) transferred to an institutional "accredited investor" within the
meaning of subparagraph (a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under
the Securities Act of 1933 that is acquiring the Capital
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 in violation of the Securities Act of 1933; or
(5) transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933; or
(6) transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement.
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of
the Capital Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person
other than the registered Holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if box (3),
(4) or (5) is checked, the Registrar may require, prior to registering any such
transfer of the Capital Securities such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Trust has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer
is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the
exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that (i) if
box 2 is checked, the transferee must also certify that it is a qualified
institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A or (ii) if box (4) is checked, the
transferee must also provide to the Registrar a Transferee Letter of
Representation in the form attached to the Offering Memorandum of the Trust
dated December 11, 1996.
A1-8
<PAGE>
Date:_____________________
Signature:__________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)
A1-9
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS COMMON 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, SUCH REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS COMMON SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES NOT
TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS COMMON SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE
(THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER
OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR
ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY
PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO
A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS COMMON SECURITY IS 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) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE
UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E)
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
THIS COMMON SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW
TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF
THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE
TRUST AND THE COMPANY PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO
CLAUSE (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL,
CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii)
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E), TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A
LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING
MEMORANDUM OF THE TRUST DATED DECEMBER 11, 1996. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES
THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS COMMON SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED
A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
A2-1
<PAGE>
Certificate Number Number of Common Securities
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
8.197% Common Securities
(Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Common Security)
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST, a statutory business trust formed under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that W.R.
Berkley Corporation (the "Holder") is the registered owner of ________________
common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Trust designated the 8.197% Common Securities (Liquidation
Amount $1,000 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common
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 Common
Securities represented hereby are set forth herein, on the reverse hereof and in
the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of December
20, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), and
shall in all respects be subject to the provisions thereof, including the
designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the
Declaration. Each capitalized term used but not defined herein or in any
legend, form or certificate hereon shall have the meaning given them in the
Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common
Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to
any Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal
place of business.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.
By its acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to treat, for United
States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
A2-2
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this 20th
day of December, 1996.
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
By:_____________________________
Name: Robert S. Gorin
Title: Administrative Trustee
A2-3
<PAGE>
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate
per annum of 8.197% (the "Coupon Rate") of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per
Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures
to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semiannually at the
Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term
"Distributions", as used herein, includes such cash distributions and any such
interest payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the
extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property
Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds available therefor.
Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from December 20, 1996 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on
June 15, 1997, except as otherwise described below and in the Declaration.
Distributions will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30 day months and, for any period of less than a full calendar month, the
number of days elapsed in such month. As long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the
right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for
a period not exceeding 10 consecutive calendar semi-annual periods, including
the first such semi-annual period during such extension period (each an
"Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the
Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral,
Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, Distributions will
continue to accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by
applicable law, but not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing
on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during any such
Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the
Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending
such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together with all
such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not
exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual
period during such Extension Period, or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. Payments of Distributions that have accumulated but not been paid
during any Extension Period will be payable to Holders as they appear on the
books and records of the Trust on the record date for the first Distribution
Date following the expiration of such Extension Period. Upon the expiration of
any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture
Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
A2-4
<PAGE>
The Administrative Trustees shall, at the direction of the Sponsor, at
any time liquidate the Trust and cause the Debentures to be distributed to the
holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or, simultaneous with any
redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the Securities to be
redeemed by the Trust.
The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
A2-5
<PAGE>
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security
Certificate to:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's 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 Guarantee*:______________________________________
_____________________
* 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 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
Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A2-6
<PAGE>
[Include the following if the Common Security bears a Restricted Common
Securities Legend]
In connection with any transfer of any of the Common Securities evidenced by
this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Common Securities are
being:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) exchanged for the undersigned's own account without
transfer; or
(2) transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933; or
(3) transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S under
the Securities Act of 1933; or
(4) transferred 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 Preferred 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
(5) transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933; or
(6) transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement.
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of
the Common Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person
other than the registered Holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if box (3),
(4) or (5) is checked, the Registrar may require, prior to registering any such
transfer of the Common Securities such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Trust has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer
is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the
exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act; PROVIDED, further, that (i) if
box 2 is checked, the transferee must also
A2-7
<PAGE>
certify that it is a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A or
(ii) if box 4 is checked, the transferee must also provide a Transferee
Representation Letter in the form attached to the Offering Memorandum of the
Trust, dated December 11, 1996.
Date:_______________________
Signature:______________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security
Certificate)
A2-8
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.6
=================================================
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
W.R. Berkley Corporation
Dated as of _________ __, 1997
=================================================
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Page
----
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
ARTICLE II.
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 2.2. Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 2.3. Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 2.4. Periodic Reports to Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 2.7. Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 2.8. Conflicting Interests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ARTICLE III.
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. . 8
SECTION 3.2. Certain Rights of Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
Capital Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
ARTICLE IV.
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1. Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee;
Eligibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
SECTION 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
ARTICLE V.
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1. Guarantee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
SECTION 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
SECTION 5.3. Obligations Not Affected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
SECTION 5.4. Rights of Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
SECTION 5.5. Guarantee of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
SECTION 5.6. Subrogation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
<PAGE>
SECTION 5.7. Independent Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
ARTICLE VI.
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1. Limitation of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
SECTION 6.2. Ranking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
ARTICLE VII.
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1. Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
ARTICLE VIII.
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 8.1. Exculpation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
SECTION 8.2. Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
ARTICLE IX.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
SECTION 9.2. Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
SECTION 9.3. Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
SECTION 9.4. Benefit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
SECTION 9.5. Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
-ii-
<PAGE>
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Capital Securities Guarantee"), dated
as of __ 1997, is executed and delivered by W.R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking
corporation, as trustee (the "Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee"), for the
benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the New Capital
Securities (as defined herein) of W.R. Berkley Capital Trust, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of December 20, 1996, among the trustees of the Issuer,
the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the
date hereof ________ Capital Securities (as defined in the Declaration), having
an aggregate liquidation amount of $____________, such Capital Securities being
designated the 8.197% Capital Securities (and being referred to herein as the
"New Capital Securities"), in connection with the consummation of the Exchange
Offer (as defined in the Declaration).
WHEREAS, as incentive for the holders of Capital Securities issued on
December 20, 1996 (the "Old Capital Securities") to exchange the Old Capital
Securities for the New Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, 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 New Capital
Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein). The Guarantor agrees to
make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
WHEREAS, the Guarantor has executed and delivered a Common Securities
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 20, 1996 (the "Common Securities
Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined
herein), the terms of which provide that if an "event of default" under the
Declaration has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common
Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee
are subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Common
Securities Guarantee, to the rights of the holders of the Capital Securities to
receive Guarantee Payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement,
dated as of December 20, 1996, for the benefit of the holders of the Old Capital
Securities, or this Capital Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of New
Capital Securities, which purchase the
<PAGE>
Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor
executes and delivers this Capital Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the
Holders.
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
In this Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of
this Capital Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used
in this Capital Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in
this Capital Securities Guarantee;
(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) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
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.
"AFFILIATE" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or
required by law or executive order to close.
"CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE" means The Bank of New York, a
New York banking corporation, until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the
terms of this Capital
2
<PAGE>
Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee.
"COMMON SECURITIES" means the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the office of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located
at 101 Barclay Street, 21 West, New York, New York 10286.
"COVERED PERSON" means any Holder or beneficial owner of New Capital
Securities.
"DEBENTURES" means the series of subordinated debt securities of the
Guarantor designated the 8.197% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due December 15, 2045 issued in connection with the Exchange Offer
and held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Capital Securities Guarantee.
"GUARANTEE PAYMENTS" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the New Capital Securities, to the extent
not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions (as
defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such New Capital
Securities to the extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor
at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price") to the extent
the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, with
respect to any New Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and
(iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution and liquidation of the Issuer
(other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in
exchange for New Capital Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser
of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions on the New Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the
extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor, and (b) the
amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders
in liquidation of the Issuer. If an "event of default" under the Declaration
has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee with respect to the Common Securities or any guarantee
payment under any Other Common Securities Guarantees shall be made until the
Holders of New Capital Securities shall be paid in full the Guarantee Payments
3
<PAGE>
to which they are entitled under this Capital Securities Guarantee.
"HOLDER" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records
of the Issuer, of any New Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of New Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" means the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee,
any Affiliate of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, or any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives,
nominees, custodians or agents of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
"INDENTURE" means the Indenture dated as of December 20, 1996, among
the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, as trustee,
pursuant to which the Debentures are issuable to the Property Trustee.
"MAJORITY IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES" means,
except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of New
Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the
aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all New Capital
Securities.
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any person, a
certificate signed by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
a Vice President, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Guarantor. Any
Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Capital Securities Guarantee shall include:
(a) statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) 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
(c) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"OTHER COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEES" shall have the same meaning as
"Other Guarantees" as defined in the Common Securities Guarantee.
4
<PAGE>
"OTHER DEBENTURES" means all junior subordinated debentures issued by
the Guarantor from time to time and sold to trusts established by the Guarantor
(if any), in each case similar to the Issuer.
"OTHER GUARANTEES" means all guarantees to be issued by the Guarantor
with respect to capital securities similar to the New Capital Securities issued
by other trusts established by the Guarantor, in each case similar to the
Issuer.
"PERSON" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, with respect to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice
president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or
other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of
the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred
because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
"SUCCESSOR CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE" means a successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
"TRUST SECURITIES" means the Common Securities, the Old Capital
Securities and the New Capital Securities, collectively.
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;
and
(b) if and to the extent that any provision of this Capital
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with
5
<PAGE>
the duties imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act,
such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 2.2. LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
(a) The Guarantor shall provide the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee (unless the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is otherwise the
registrar of the Capital Securities) with a list, in such form as the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses
of the Holders of the New Capital Securities ("List of Holders") as of such
date, (i) within one Business Day after June 15 and December 15 of each year,
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 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee;
provided, that the Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of
Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent
List of Holders given to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee by the
Guarantor. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of
Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3. REPORTS BY THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Within 60 days after December 15 of each year, commencing December 15,
1997, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of
the New Capital Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the
Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section
313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4. PERIODIC REPORTS TO CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if
any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section
314 of the Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information and
documents to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is for informational
purposes only and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such
shall not constitute constructive
6
<PAGE>
notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information
contained therein, including the Guarantor's compliance with any of its
covenants hereunder (as to which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
SECTION 2.5. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any,
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) may
be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of New Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the New Capital
Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
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. EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
(a) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days
after the occurrence of a default with respect to this Capital Securities
Guarantee, mail by first class postage prepaid, to all Holders, notices of all
defaults actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of
such notice, provided, that, except in the case of default in the payment of any
Guarantee Payment, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be protected
in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the
executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines
that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of the
New Capital Securities.
(b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the
7
<PAGE>
Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge, of such Event of Default.
SECTION 2.8. CONFLICTING INTERESTS
The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this
Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso
contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III.
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
(a) This Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Capital Securities
Guarantee to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to
Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee upon
acceptance by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The
right, title and interest of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, and
such vesting and succession of title shall be effective whether or not
conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the
appointment of such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Capital Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.
(c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence
of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may
have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in this Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall
be read into this Capital Securities Guarantee against the Capital Securities
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 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities
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
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<PAGE>
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 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee from liability for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have
occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express
provisions of this Capital Securities Guarantee, and the Capital
Securities 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 Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
Capital Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such
certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are
specifically required to be furnished to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer
of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved
that the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it
in good faith in accordance
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<PAGE>
with the direction of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of the New Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this
Capital Securities Guarantee; and
(iv) no provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee shall
require the Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds
or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this
Capital Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 3.2. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) The Capital Securities 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 reasonably 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 may be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request
evidence as to such matter from the Guarantor, which evidence shall be
promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
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(iv) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty
to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or
any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof).
(v) The Capital Securities 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 Capital
Securities 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.
(vi) The Capital Securities 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 Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably
satisfactory to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against the
costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the
expenses of the Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi)
shall be taken to relieve the Capital Securities 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 in the case of an Event of Default.
(vii) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in
any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note,
other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit.
(viii) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any
of the trusts or powers hereunder or
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perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents,
nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due
care by it hereunder.
(ix) Any action taken by the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the
signature of the Capital Securities 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
Capital Securities 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
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such
action.
(x) Whenever in the administration of this Capital Securities
Guarantee the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy
or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the New 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.
(xi) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in
good faith, without negligence, 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 Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities 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 Capital
Securities 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 Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Capital Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE IV.
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1. CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY
(a) There shall at all times be a Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws
of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or
of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional
trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus
of at least 50 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 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set
out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire
any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Capital Securities 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 CAPITAL SECURITIES
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor
except during an Event of Default.
(b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor.
(c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until
a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or
until its removal or resignation. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an
instrument in writing executed by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a
Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the
resigning Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have
been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within
60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if
any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee.
(e) No Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the
acts or omissions to act of any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
(f) Upon termination of this Capital Securities Guarantee or removal
or resignation of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this
Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
all amounts due to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee accrued to the date
of such termination, removal or resignation.
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ARTICLE V.
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1. GUARANTEE
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of
set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the 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 New 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 New Capital Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out
of, or in connection with, the New 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 permitted by the Indenture);
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the New Capital Securities, or
any
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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 New Capital
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred;
(g) the consummation of the Exchange Offer; or
(h) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute
a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of
this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor with respect to the
Guarantee Payments 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 New
Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Capital Securities Guarantee or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under
this Capital Securities Guarantee.
(b) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
Capital Securities Guarantee, any Holder of New Capital Securities may institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Capital Securities Guarantee,
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor
waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against
the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the
Guarantor.
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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 (if any) rights of the
Holders 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, at the time of
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 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 New 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 (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE VI.
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1. LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS
So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if, at any time,
(i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual
knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would be an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Guarantor
shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if such Debentures are held
by the Property Trustee, the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its
payment of any obligations under this Capital Securities Guarantee or (iii) the
Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right
to extend the interest payment period pursuant to Section 16.01 of the Indenture
and any such extension shall be continuing, then the Guarantor shall not (1)
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire,
or make a
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liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor's capital stock (which
includes common and preferred stock) or (2) make any payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Guarantor (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures or (3) make any
guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of the debt
securities of any subsidiary of the Guarantor (including Other Guarantees) if
such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment to the Debentures
(other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or
rights to purchase shares of, common stock of the Guarantor, (b) any declaration
of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder's rights
plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the
redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under
the Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a result of a reclassification of the
Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or the conversion of one class or
series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the
Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of
the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions
of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f)
purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights
under any of the Guarantor's benefit plans for its directors, officers or
employees or any of the Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans).
SECTION 6.2. RANKING
This Capital Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same extent
and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture (except as indicated below), it being
understood that the terms of Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the
obligations of the Guarantor under this Capital Securities Guarantee as if (x)
such Article XV were set forth herein in full and (y) such obligations were
substituted for the term "Securities" appearing in such Article XV, except that
with respect to Section 15.03 of the Indenture only, the term "Senior
Indebtedness" shall mean all liabilities of the Guarantor, whether or not for
money borrowed (other than obligations in respect of Other Guarantees), (ii)
pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter
issued by the Guarantor and with any Other Guarantee and any Other Common
Securities Guarantee and any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the
Guarantor in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of
the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.
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ARTICLE VII.
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1. TERMINATION
This Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate (i) upon full
payment of the Redemption Price (as defined in the Declaration) of all New
Capital Securities, or (ii) upon liquidation of the Issuer, the full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration or the distribution of
the Debentures to all of the Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 New Capital
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the New 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 or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of New 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
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without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder,
including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses)
of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall
survive the termination of this Capital Securities Guarantee.
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 New Capital Securities then outstanding.
SECTION 9.2. AMENDMENTS
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be
required), this Capital Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior
approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the New Capital
Securities (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). The provisions of Section 12.2 of
the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders 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:
1. If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustees at
the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Issuer may give notice of to the Holders):
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W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
c/o W.R. Berkley Corporation
165 Mason Street
Greenwich, CT 06836-2518
Attention: Robert S. Gorin
Administrative Trustee
Telecopy: (203) 629-8336
(a) If given to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such
other address as the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to
the Holders of the New Capital Securities):
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 21 West
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust
Trustee Administration
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 New Capital Securities):
W.R. Berkley Corporation
165 Mason Street
Greenwich, CT 06836-2518
Attention: Robert S. Gorin, Senior Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary
Telecopy: (203) 629-8336
(c) If given to any Holder of New Capital Securities, at the address
set fort 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 New Capital Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not
separately transferable from the New Capital Securities.
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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 CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
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THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year
first above written.
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION, as
Guarantor
By:____________________________
Robert S. Gorin
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee
By:____________________________
Name:
Title:
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================================================================================
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated December 20, 1996
among
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
and
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
as Initial Purchasers
================================================================================
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of December 20, 1996 among W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST, a business trust formed
under the laws of the state of Delaware (the "TRUST"), and DONALDSON, LUFKIN &
JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION ("DLJ"), GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO., and MERRILL
LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (collectively the "INITIAL
PURCHASERS").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated
December 11, 1996 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), among the Company, as issuer of
the 8.197% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2045 (the
"SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES"), the Trust and the Initial Purchasers, which provides
for, among other things, the sale by the Trust to the Initial Purchasers of
210,000 of the Trust's 8.197% Capital Securities, liquidation amount $1,000 per
Capital Security (the "CAPITAL SECURITIES"), the proceeds of which will be used
by the Trust to purchase Subordinated Debentures. The Capital Securities,
together with the Subordinated Debentures and the Company's guarantee of the
Capital Securities (the "CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE"), are collectively
referred to as the "Securities". In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to
enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Trust have agreed to
provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following
capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:
"ADVICE" shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of Section
3 hereof.
"APPLICABLE PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(t)
hereof.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day
on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required
to be closed.
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"CLOSING TIME" shall mean the Closing Time as defined in the Purchase
Agreement.
"COMPANY" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement and also includes the Company's successors and permitted assigns.
"DECLARATION" or "DECLARATION OF TRUST" shall mean the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust, dated as of December 20, 1996, by the trustees named
therein and the Company as sponsor.
"DEPOSITARY" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other
depositary appointed by the Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such depositary must
have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York.
"EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.
"EXCHANGE OFFER" shall mean the offer by the Company and the Trust to the
Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities (other than Private
Exchange Securities) for a like principal amount of Exchange Securities pursuant
to Section 2(a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION" shall mean a registration under the
Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate
form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in
each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and
all material incorporated by reference therein.
"EXCHANGE PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE SECURITIES" shall mean (i) with respect to the Subordinated
Debentures, the 8.197% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due
December 15, 2045 which are to be offered in exchange for the Subordinated
Debentures (the "EXCHANGE DEBENTURES") and which will contain terms identical to
the Subordinated Debentures (except that they will not contain terms with
respect to the transfer restrictions under the
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Securities Act, will not require transfers thereof to be in minimum blocks of
$100,000 principal amount and will not provide for any increase in the interest
rate thereon), (ii) with respect to the Capital Securities, the Trust's 8.197%
Capital Securities, liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security, which are to
be offered in exchange for the Capital Securities (the "EXCHANGE CAPITAL
SECURITIES") and which will have terms identical to the Capital Securities
(except they will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions under
the Securities Act, will not require minimum transfers thereof to be in blocks
of $100,000 liquidation amount and will not provide for any increase in the
distribution rate thereon) and (iii) with respect to the Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Company's guarantee (the "EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE")
of the Exchange Capital Securities which will have terms identical to the
Capital Securities Guarantee.
"HOLDER" shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any
Registrable Securities, and each of its respective successors, assigns and
direct and indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable
Securities under the Indenture or Declaration of Trust.
"INDENTURE" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Subordinated
Debentures and the Exchange Debentures dated as of December 20, 1996 among the
Company, as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as the same may be
amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
"INITIAL PURCHASERS" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
"INSPECTORS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n) hereof.
"ISSUE DATE" shall mean the date of original issuance of the Securities.
"MAJORITY HOLDERS" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate
liquidation amount of outstanding Capital Securities.
"PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3(t) hereof.
"PERSON" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, limited liability Company, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.
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"PRIVATE EXCHANGE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.
"PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(a) hereof.
"PROSPECTUS" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all
other amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including posteffective
amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference
therein.
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
"RECORDS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n) hereof.
"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" shall mean the Securities and, if issued, the
Private Exchange Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Securities or Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when (i) a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities or
Private Exchange Securities for the exchange or resale thereof, as the case may
be, shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such
Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have been
disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Securities or
Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, may be sold to the public
pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule
144A) under the Securities Act, (iii) such Securities or Private Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, shall have ceased to be outstanding or (iv) with
respect to the Securities, such Securities have been exchanged for Exchange
Securities upon consummation of the Exchange Offer and are thereafter freely
tradeable by the holder thereof (other than an affiliate of the Company).
"REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the
fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel)
that is required to be retained by any Holder of Registrable Securities in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the
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NASD, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with
state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky
qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities) and
compliance with the rules of the NASD, (iii) all expenses of any Persons in
preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing
any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto, and in preparing or assisting in preparing, printing and distributing
any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents
relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all
rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company
and of the independent certified public accountants of the Company, including
the expenses of any "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
performance and compliance, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, and any
exchange agent or custodian, (vii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the listing, if any, of any of the Registrable Securities on any securities
exchange or exchanges, and (viii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any
special experts retained by the Company in connection with any Registration
Statement.
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company and the Trust which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and
supplements to any 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.
"RULE 144(K) PERIOD" shall mean the period of three years (or such shorter
period as may hereafter be referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act
(or similar successor rule)) commencing on the Issue Date.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"SECURITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement.
"SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.
"SHELF REGISTRATION" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section
2(b) hereof.
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"SHELF REGISTRATION EVENT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"SHELF REGISTRATION EVENT DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(b) hereof.
"SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean a "shelf" registration statement
of the Company and the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof
which covers all of the Registrable Securities or all of the Private Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the
Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and 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.
"TIA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(1) hereof.
"TRUSTEES" shall mean any and all trustees with respect to (i) the Capital
Securities under the Declaration, (ii) the Subordinated Debentures under the
Indenture and (iii) the Capital Securities Guarantee.
2. REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
(a) EXCHANGE OFFER. To the extent not prohibited by any applicable
law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company and the
Trust shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at the Company's cost, use its best
efforts to (i) cause to be filed with the SEC within 150 days after the Issue
Date an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate form under the
Securities Act covering the Exchange Offer, (ii) cause such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the
SEC not later than the date which is 180 days after the Issue Date, and
(iii) keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less
than 30 calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date
notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. Upon the effectiveness
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall
promptly commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Exchange
Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable
Securities for a like principal amount of Exchange Debentures or a like
liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities, together with the Exchange
Guarantee, as applicable (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act and is not a
broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly
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<PAGE>
from the Company for its own account, acquires the Exchange Securities in the
ordinary course of such Holder's business and has no arrangements or
understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the
purpose of distributing the Exchange Securities), to transfer such Exchange
Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions
under the Securities Act and under state securities or blue sky laws.
In connection with the 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 and related documents;
(ii) keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not less
than 30 days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer
if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein as the "EXCHANGE
PERIOD");
(iii) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer:
(iv) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to
the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day of the Exchange
Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice, a telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder,
the principal amount of Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that
such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged;
(v) notify each Holder that any Security not tendered by such Holder in
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest or
accumulate distributions, as the case may be, but will not retain any rights
under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchasers and
Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and
(vi) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws relating to
the Exchange Offer.
If any Initial Purchaser determines upon advice of its outside counsel
that it is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer with respect to the
exchange of Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment in the
initial distribution, as soon as practicable upon receipt by the Company and the
Trust of a written request from such Initial Purchaser, the Company and the
Trust, as applicable, shall issue and deliver
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to such Initial Purchaser in exchange (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE") for the
Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like liquidation amount of Capital
Securities of the Trust, together with the Exchange Guarantee, or a like
principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures of the Company, as applicable,
that are identical (except that such securities may bear a customary legend with
respect to restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Securities Act) to the
Exchange Securities (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES") and which are issued
pursuant to the Indenture, the Declaration or the Guarantee (which provides that
the Exchange Securities will not be subject to the transfer restrictions set
forth in the Indenture or the Declaration, as applicable, and that the Exchange
Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Securities will vote and
consent together on all matters as one class and that neither the Exchange
Securities, the Private Exchange Securities nor the Securities will have the
right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter). The Private
Exchange Securities shall be of the same series as the Exchange Securities and
the Company and the Trust will seek to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue
the same CUSIP Numbers for the Private Exchange Securities as for the Exchange
Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and, if
applicable, the Private Exchange, the Company and the Trust, as the case
requires, shall:
(i) accept for exchange all Securities or portions thereof tendered and
not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange;
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the applicable Trustee for
cancellation all Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the
Company; and
(iii) issue, and cause the applicable Trustee under the Indenture, the
Declaration or the Guarantee, as applicable, to promptly authenticate and
deliver to each Holder, new Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities,
as applicable, equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the
Subordinated Debentures or equal in liquidation amount to the liquidation amount
of the Capital Securities (together with the guarantee thereof) as are
surrendered by such Holder.
Distributions on each Exchange Capital Security and interest on each
Exchange Debenture and Private Exchange Security issued pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and in the Private Exchange will accrue from the last date on which a
distribution or interest was paid on the Capital Security or the Subordinated
Debenture surrendered in exchange therefore or, if no distribution or
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interest has been paid on such Capital Security or Subordinated Debenture, from
the Issue Date. To the extent not prohibited by any law or applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company and the Trust shall use
their best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above, and shall
comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
and other applicable laws in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange
Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer
does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of
the SEC. Each Holder of Registrable Securities who wishes to exchange such
Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer will be
required to make certain customary representations in connection therewith,
including, in the case of any Holder of Capital Securities, representations that
(i) it is not an affiliate of the Trust or the Company, (ii) the Exchange
Securities to be received by it were acquired in the ordinary course of its
business and (iii) at the time of the Exchange Offer, it has no arrangement with
any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of the Exchange Capital Securities. The Company and the Trust
shall inform the Initial Purchasers, after consultation with the Trustee, of the
names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the
Initial Purchasers shall have the right to contact such Holders and otherwise
facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2(a), the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply solely
with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private Exchange Securities and
Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Company and
the Trust shall have no further obligation to register the Registrable
Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities) pursuant to Section 2(b) of
this Agreement.
(b) SHELF REGISTRATION. In the event that (i) the Company, the Trust
or the Majority Holders reasonably determine, after conferring with counsel
(which may be in-house counsel), that the Exchange Offer Registration provided
in Section 2(a) above is not available because of any change in law or in
currently prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, (ii) the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective within 180 days of the
Issue Date or (iii) upon the request of any Initial Purchaser with respect to
any Registrable Securities held by it, if such Initial Purchaser is not
permitted, in the reasonable opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, pursuant to applicable
law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC, to participate in the
Exchange Offer and thereby receive securities that are freely tradeable without
restriction under
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the Securities Act and applicable blue sky or state securities laws (any of the
events specified in (i)-(iii) being a "SHELF REGISTRATION EVENT" and the date of
occurrence thereof, the "SHELF REGISTRATION EVENT DATE"), the Company and the
Trust shall, at their cost, use their best efforts to cause to be filed as
promptly as practicable after such Shelf Registration Event Date, as the case
may be, and, in any event, within 45 days after such Shelf Registration Event
Date (which shall be no earlier than 75 days after the Closing Time), a Shelf
Registration Statement providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the
Registrable Securities, and shall use its best efforts to have such Shelf
Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable. No
Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to include any of its
Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration pursuant to this Agreement
unless and until such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all of the
provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder and furnishes to the
Company and the Trust in writing, within 15 days after receipt of a request
therefor, such information as the Company and the Trust may, after conferring
with counsel with regard to information relating to Holders that would be
required by the SEC to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus included therein, reasonably request for inclusion in any Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which
any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish to the Company and
the Trust all information with respect to such Holder necessary to make the
information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially
misleading.
The Company and the Trust agree to use their best efforts to keep the
Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for the Rule 144(k) Period
(subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 3 hereof) or for
such shorter period which will terminate when all of the Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement or cease to be outstanding (the "EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD").
The Company and the Trust shall not permit any securities other than Registrable
Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration. The Company and the Trust
will, in the event a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, provide
to each Holder a reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus which is a part
of the Shelf Registration Statement, notify each such Holder when the Shelf
Registration has become effective and use its best efforts to take certain other
actions as are required to permit certain unrestricted resales of the
Registrable Securities. The Company and the Trust further agree, if necessary,
to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the
rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form
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used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities
Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registrations,
and the Company and the Trust agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable
Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being
used or filed with the SEC.
(c) EXPENSES. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof and
will reimburse the Initial Purchasers for the reasonable fees and disbursements
of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, incurred in connection
with the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the Private Exchange, and either
Brown & Wood LLP or any one other counsel designated in writing by the Majority
Holders to act as counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities in
connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, which other counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Except as provided herein, each Holder
shall pay all expenses of its counsel, underwriting discounts and commissions
and transfer taxes if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
(d) EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT. An Exchange Offer Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective
unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if,
after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental
agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have been
effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally
resume. The Company and the Trust will be deemed not to have used their best
efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective
during the requisite period if either of them voluntarily takes any action that
would result in any such Registration Statement not being declared effective or
in the Holders of Registrable Securities covered thereby not being able to
exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period unless
such action is required by applicable law.
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(e) LIQUIDATED DAMAGES. In the event that (i) (A) neither the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is
filed with the SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the Issue Date or
(B) notwithstanding that the Company and the Trust have consummated or will
consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust are required to file a
Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not filed
on or prior to the date required by Section 2(b) hereof, then commencing on the
day after the applicable required filing date, additional interest shall accrue
on the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures, and additional
distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum; or
(ii) (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 30th
day after the applicable required filing date or (B) notwithstanding that the
Company and the Trust have consummated an Exchange Offer, the Company and the
Trust are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf
Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
30th day after the date such Shelf Registration Statement was required to be
filed, then, commencing on the 31st day after the applicable required filing
date, additional interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the
Subordinated Debentures and additional distributions shall accumulate on the
liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum;
or
(iii)(A) the Trust has not exchanged Exchange Capital Securities for all
Capital Securities or the Company has not exchanged Exchange Guarantees or
Exchange Subordinated Debentures for all Guarantees or Subordinated Debentures
validly tendered, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior
to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement was declared effective or (B) if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration Statement
ceases to be effective at any time prior to the expiration of the Rule 144(k)
Period (other than after such time as all Capital Securities have been disposed
of thereunder or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities), then additional
interest shall accrue on the principal amount of Subordinated Debentures, and
additional distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities, each at a rate of 0.25% per annum commencing on (x) the 31st
day after such effective date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such
Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above;
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PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the additional interest rate on the Subordinated
Debentures, nor the additional distribution rate on the liquidation amount of
the Capital Securities, may exceed in the aggregate 0.25% per annum; PROVIDED,
FURTHER, HOWEVER, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (i) above),
(2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a
Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (ii) above), or (3) upon the
exchange of Exchange Capital Securities, Exchange Guarantees and Exchange
Subordinated Debentures for all Capital Securities, Guarantees and Subordinated
Debentures tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) above), or upon the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of clause (iii)(B) above), additional interest on the
Subordinated Debentures, and additional distributions on the liquidation amount
of the Capital Securities as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause
thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue or accumulate, as the case
may be.
Any amounts of additional interest and additional Distributions due
pursuant to Section 2(e)(i), (ii) or (iii) above will be payable in cash on the
relevant record dates for the payment of interest and Distributions pursuant to
the Indenture and the Declaration respectively.
(f) SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT. Without limiting the remedies available to
the Holders, the Company and the Trust acknowledge that any failure by the
Company or the Trust to comply with its obligations under Section 2(a) and
Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Holders for
which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically
enforce the Company's and the Trust's obligations under Section 2(a) and Section
2(b) hereof.
3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. In connection with the obligations of
the Company and the Trust with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant
to Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Trust shall use their best
efforts to:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or
Registration Statements as prescribed by Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof
within the relevant time period specified in Section 2 hereof on the
appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (i) shall be selected
by the Company and the Trust, (ii) shall, in the case of a
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Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities
by the selling Holders thereof and (iii) shall comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include
all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use
its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective
and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 2(b), or (2) a
Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities
Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Securities, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto, the Company and the Trust shall furnish
to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Securities and each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such
Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if
any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents
(including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein
and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed. The Company and the Trust
shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments
or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must be afforded an
opportunity to review prior to the filing of such document if the Majority
Holders or such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their
counsel or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period or the
Applicable Period, as the case may be; and cause each Prospectus to be
supplemented, if so determined by the Company or the Trust or requested by
the SEC, by any required prospectus supplement and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provision then in force) under
the Securities Act, and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered
by each Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period or the
Applicable Period, as the case may be, in accordance with the intended
method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof described
in this Agreement (including sales by any Participating Broker-Dealer);
>
15
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(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement, at
least three Business Days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration
Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and
advising such Holder that the distribution of Registrable Securities will
be made in accordance with the method selected by the Majority Holders; and
(ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf
Registration Statement and to each underwriter of an underwritten offering
of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each
Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or
supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or underwriter
may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other
disposition of the Registrable Securities; and (iii) consent to the use of
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling Holders of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf
Registration Statement in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto;
(d) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its best efforts to
register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state
securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions by the time the
applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC as any
Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement and
each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities
shall reasonably request in writing in advance of such date of
effectiveness, and do any and all other acts and things which may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder and underwriter to
consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable
Securities owned by such Holder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company and
the Trust shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or
as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise
be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general
consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be subject to such service of process or (iii) subject itself to
taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;
(e) in the case of (1) a Shelf Registration or (2) Participating
Broker-Dealers from whom the Company or the Trust has received prior
written notice that they will be utilizing the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement as provided in Section 3(t) hereof
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<PAGE>
and who are seeking to sell Exchange Securities and are required to deliver
Prospectuses, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, or such
Participating Broker-Dealers, as the case may be, their counsel and the
managing underwriters, if any, promptly and promptly confirm such notice in
writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any
post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of
any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and
supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional
information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of
the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the
qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to
be offered or sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer in any jurisdiction
described in paragraph 3(d) hereof or the initiation of any proceedings for
that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if, between the
effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of
Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties
of the Company and the Trust contained in any purchase agreement,
securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any cease to be
true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening of any
event or the failure of any event to occur or the discovery of any facts or
otherwise, during the Effectiveness Period which makes any statement made
in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any
material respect or which causes such Registration Statement or Prospectus
to omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and (vi) of the Company and the Trust's reasonable
determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
would be appropriate;
(f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the
earliest possible moment;
(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities included within the coverage of such Shelf
Registration Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each
Registration Statement relating to such Shelf Registration and any
post-effective amendment thereto (without documents incorporated therein by
reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);
17
<PAGE>
(h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and
not bearing any restrictive legends and in such denominations (consistent
with the provisions of the Indenture and the Declaration) and registered in
such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters may reasonably
request at least two Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration or an Exchange Offer
Registration, upon the occurrence of any circumstance contemplated by
Section 3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, use its best
efforts to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; and to notify each Holder to suspend use of the
Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an
event, and each Holder hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until
the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such
misstatement or omission;
(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to
the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a
Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a
Registration Statement, provide a reasonable number of copies of such
document to the Holders; and make such of the representatives of the
Company and the Trust as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of
Registrable Securities or the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such Holders
available for discussion of such document;
(k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Capital Securities and the
Capital Securities (and if the Trust has made a distribution of the
Subordinated Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities, the
Subordinated Debentures or the Exchange Subordinated Debentures) as the
case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement,
and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for the Exchange
Securities or the Registrable
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<PAGE>
Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the
Depositary;
(l) cause the Indenture, the Declaration, the Guarantee and the
Exchange Guarantee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(the "TIA") in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities
or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, and effect such changes to
such documents as may be required for them to be so qualified in accordance
with the terms of the TIA and execute, and use its best efforts to cause
the relevant trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect
such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with
the SEC to enable such documents to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such agreements
(including underwriting agreements) as are customary in underwritten
offerings and take all such other appropriate actions as are reasonably
requested in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the
disposition of such Registrable Securities, and in such connection, whether
or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the
registration is an underwritten registration, if requested by (x) any
Initial Purchaser, in the case where an Initial Purchaser holds Securities
acquired by it as part of its initial distribution and (y) other Holders of
Securities covered thereby: (i) make such representations and warranties
to Holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters (if any),
with respect to the business of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries
as then conducted and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents,
if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in
each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
underwritten offerings, and confirm the same if and when requested;
(ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Trust and updates
thereof (which may be in the form of a reliance letter) in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters (if any) and
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities
being sold, addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters (if any)
covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in
underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably
requested by such underwriters (it being agreed that the matters to be
covered by such opinion may be subject to customary qualifications and
exceptions); (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters
from the independent certified public
19
<PAGE>
accountants of the Company and the Trust (and, if necessary, any other
independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company
and the Trust or of any business acquired by the Company and the Trust for
which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be,
included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the
underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings and such other matters as are reasonably requested
by such underwriters in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No.
72; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall
contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than
those set forth in Section 4 hereof (or such other provisions and
procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and
the managing underwriters or agents) with respect to all parties to be
indemnified pursuant to said Section (including, without limitation, such
underwriters and selling Holders). The above shall be done at each closing
under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required
thereunder;
(n) if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 2(b) or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, make reasonably available
for inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Securities being
sold, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any
underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable
Securities, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by
any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the "INSPECTORS"), at the
offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties
of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
"RECORDS") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any
applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers,
directors and employees of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries to
supply all relevant information in each case reasonably requested by any
such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall be
coordinated on behalf of the Purchasers by you and on behalf
20
<PAGE>
of the other parties, by one counsel designated by you and on behalf of
such other parties as described in Section 2(c) hereof. Records which the
Company and the Trust determine, in good faith, to be confidential and any
records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be
disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement or omission in such
Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered
pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent
jurisdiction or is necessary in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding or (iii) the information in such Records has been made generally
available to the public. Each selling Holder of such Registrable
Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to
agree in writing that information obtained by it as a result of such
inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the
basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Trust or the
Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public by
the Company. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Securities and each
such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree in
writing that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is
sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and
allow the Company at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;
(o) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC so
long as any provision of this Agreement shall be applicable and make
generally available to its securityholders earning statements satisfying
the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no
later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after
the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year)
(i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable
Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts
underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Company after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which
statements shall cover said 12-month periods;
(p) upon consummation of an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, if
requested by a Trustee, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company
addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable
Securities participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange,
21
<PAGE>
as the case may be, and which includes an opinion that (i) the Company and
the Trust, as the case requires, has duly authorized, executed and
delivered the Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Securities, and
(ii) each of the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as
the case may be, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Company or the Trust, as the case requires, enforceable against the Company
or the Trust, as the case requires, in accordance with its respective terms
(in each case, with customary exceptions);
(q) if an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Company or
the Trust, as applicable (or to such other Person as directed by the
Company or the Trust, respectively), in exchange for the Exchange
Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the
Company or the Trust, as applicable, shall mark, or cause to be marked, on
such Registrable Securities delivered by such Holders that such Registrable
Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or
the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be; in no event shall such
Registrable Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied;
(r) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by
any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in
the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel
in connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD;
(s) use its best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect
the registration of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby;
(t) (A) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(i) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled
"Plan of Distribution," which section shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Initial Purchasers or another representative of the Participating
Broker-Dealers, and which shall contain a summary statement of the
positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to
the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer (a "PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER") that holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own
account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities
and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of Exchange Securities
22
<PAGE>
to be received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer, whether such
positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the
SEC or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the
Initial Purchasers or such other representative, represent the prevailing
views of the staff of the SEC, including a statement that any such
broker-dealer who receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory underwriter and
must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to
each Participating Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the
notice referred to in Section 3(e), without charge, as many copies of each
Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including
any preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as
such Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request (each of the
Company and the Trust hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus forming
part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto by any Person subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, including all Participating
Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or transfer of the Exchange
Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto), (iii) use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with
such requirements under the Securities Act and applicable rules and
regulations in order to resell the Exchange Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days (or such longer
period if extended pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3 hereof) (the
"APPLICABLE PERIOD"), and (iv) include in the transmittal letter or similar
documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to participate
in the Exchange Offer (x) the following provision:
"If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding
Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such
23
<PAGE>
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer";
and (y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the
acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in
connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will
not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act; and
(B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the
Company and the Trust agree to deliver to the Initial Purchasers or to
another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, if requested by
any such Initial Purchasers or such other representative of the
Participating Broker-Dealers, on behalf of the Participating Broker-Dealers
upon consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) an opinion of counsel in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers or such
other representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, covering the
matters customarily covered in opinions requested in connection with
Exchange Offer Registration Statements and such other matters as may be
reasonably requested (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by
such opinion may be subject to customary qualifications and exceptions),
(ii) an officers' certificate containing certifications substantially
similar to those set forth in Section 5(g) of the Purchase Agreement and
such additional certifications as are customarily delivered in a public
offering of debt securities and (iii) as well as upon the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a comfort letter, in each case,
in customary form if permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72.
The Company or the Trust may require each seller of Registrable
Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the
Company or the Trust, as applicable, such information regarding such seller as
may be required by the staff of the SEC to be included in a Registration
Statement. The Company or the Trust may exclude from such registration the
Registrable Securities of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. The Company
shall have no obligation to register under the Securities Act the Registrable
Securities of a seller who so fails to furnish such information.
In the case of (1) a Shelf Registration Statement or (2) Participating
Broker-Dealers who have notified the Company and the Trust that they will be
utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
as provided in Section 3(t) hereof and who are seeking to sell
24
<PAGE>
Exchange Securities and are required to deliver Prospectuses, each Holder agrees
that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company or the Trust of the happening
of any event of the kind described in Section 3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or
3(e)(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by
Section 3(i) hereof or until it is advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the
Company and the Trust that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed,
and, if so directed by the Company and the Trust, such Holder will deliver to
the Company or the Trust (at the Company's or the Trust's expense, as the case
requires) all copies in such Holder's possession, other than permanent file
copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, current at
the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company or the Trust shall give any
such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, pursuant to a Registration Statement, the
Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to file and have declared
effective (if an amendment) as soon as practicable an amendment or supplement to
the Registration Statement and shall extend the period during which such
Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement
by the number of days in the period from and including the date of the giving of
such notice to and including the date when the Company and the Trust shall have
made available to the Holders (x) copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions or (y) the Advice.
4. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. In connection with any
Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall, jointly and severally,
indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, each Holder, each
underwriter who participates in an offering of the Registrable Securities, each
Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person, if any, who controls any of such
parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act and each of their respective directors, officers, employees and
agents, as follows:
(i) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, joint or several, as incurred, arising out of any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), covering
Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, including all documents
incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission
therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements there-
25
<PAGE>
in not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment
or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, joint or several, as incurred, to the extent of the
aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation
or proceeding by any court or governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement
or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such
settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company; and
(iii) from and against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by such
Holder, such Participating Broker-Dealer, or any underwriter (except to the
extent otherwise expressly provided in Section 4(c) hereof)), reasonably
incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation,
or any investigation or proceeding by any court or governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under
subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section 4(a);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) this indemnity does not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing to the
Company or the Trust by such Holder, such Participating Broker-Dealer or any
underwriter with respect to such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer or any
underwriter, as the case may be, expressly for use in the Registration Statement
(or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) and (ii) the Company and the Trust shall not be liable to any such
Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, any underwriter or controlling person, with
respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission in any preliminary Prospectus to the extent that any such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense of any Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer,
any underwriter or controlling person results from the fact that such Holder,
Participating Broker-Dealer,
26
<PAGE>
underwriter or controlling person sold Securities to a Person to whom there was
not sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy
of the final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented if the Company had
previously furnished copies thereof to such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer,
underwriter or controlling person and the loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense of such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, underwriter or controlling
person results from an untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained
in the preliminary Prospectus which was corrected in the final Prospectus. Any
amounts advanced by the Company or the Trust to an indemnified party pursuant to
this Section 4 as a result of such losses shall be returned to the Company or
the Trust if it shall be finally determined by such a court in a judgment not
subject to appeal or final review that such indemnified party was not entitled
to indemnification by the Company or the Trust.
(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, the Trust, any underwriter and the other selling
Holders and each of their respective directors, officers (including each officer
of the Company and the Trust who signed the Registration Statement), employees,
trustees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the
Trust, any underwriter or any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any
and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever described in the
indemnity contained in Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect
to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions,
made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by such selling Holder
with respect to such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or
any amendment thereto), or any such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case of a Shelf Registration
Statement, no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of
the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable
Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) Each indemnified party shall give prompt notice to each
indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought hereunder, enclosing a copy of all papers properly
served on such indemnified party, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party
shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may have
under this Section 4, except to the extent that it is materially prejudiced by
such failure. An indemnifying party may partici-
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<PAGE>
pate at its own expense in the defense of such action. If an indemnifying party
so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, an indemnifying
party, severally or jointly with any other indemnifying parties receiving such
notice, may assume the defense of such action with counsel chosen by it and
reasonably acceptable to the indemnified parties defendant in such action;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if (i) representation of such indemnified party by the
same counsel would present a conflict of interest or (ii) the actual or
potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party and any such indemnified party
reasonably determines that there may be legal defenses available to such
indemnified party which are different from or in addition to those available to
such indemnifying party, then in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) of this
Section 4(c), such indemnifying party and counsel for each indemnifying party or
parties shall not be entitled to assume such defense. If an indemnifying party
is not entitled to assume the defense of such action as a result of the proviso
to the preceding sentence, counsel for such indemnifying party and counsel for
each indemnified party or parties shall be entitled to conduct the defense of
such indemnified party or parties. If an indemnifying party assumes the defense
of such action, in accordance with and as permitted by the provisions of this
paragraph, such indemnifying parties shall not be liable for any fees and
expenses of counsel for the indemnified parties incurred thereafter in
connection with such action. Subject to the foregoing, in no event shall the
indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one
counsel (in addition to local counsel), separate from its own counsel, for-all
indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or
related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation
or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or
any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could
be sought under this Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are
actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or
consent (i) includes an unconditional written release in form and substance
satisfactory to the indemnified parties of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or
a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances under which any of the indemnity
28
<PAGE>
provisions set forth in this Section 4 is for any reason held to be unavailable
to the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the
Company, the Trust and the Holders shall contribute to the aggregate losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such
indemnity agreement incurred by the Company, the Trust and the Holders, as
incurred; PROVIDED that no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution
from any Person that was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. As
between the Company, the Trust and the Holders, such parties shall contribute to
such aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature
contemplated by such indemnity agreement in such proportion as shall be
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and Trust, on the one
hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, with respect to the statements or
omissions which resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense, or
action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Trust, on the one
hand, and of the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company or the Trust, on the one hand, or
by or on behalf of the Holders, on the other, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. The Company, the Trust and the Holders of the
Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were to be determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 4, each
affiliate of a Holder, and each director, officer, employee, agent and Person,
if any, who controls a Holder or such affiliate within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as such Holder, and each director of each of the Company
and the Trust, each officer of each of the Company and the Trust who signed the
Registration Statement, and each Person, if any, who controls each of the
Company and the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as
each of the Company or the Trust.
5. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS. No Holder may
participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder
(a) agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in
any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to
approve such
29
<PAGE>
arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.
6. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The Holders of Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell the
securities covered by such Shelf Registration in an underwritten offering. In
any such underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or
managers that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in
such offering; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such underwriters and managers must be
satisfactory to the Company and the Trust.
7. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) RULE 144 AND RULE 144A. For so long as the Company or the Trust
is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act
and any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company and the Trust, as
the case may be, will their its best efforts to file the reports required to be
filed by it under the Securities Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, that if it
ceases to be so required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any
Holder of Registrable Securities (a) make publicly available such information as
is necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, (b) deliver such information to a prospective purchaser as is
necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act and it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable
Securities may reasonably request, and (c) take such further action that is
reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the extent required from time
to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended
from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such rule may be
amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or regulations hereafter
adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities,
the Company and the Trust will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such requirements.
30
<PAGE>
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company or the Trust has not
entered into nor will the Company or the Trust on or after the date of this
Agreement enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted
to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise
conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted
to the holders of the Company's or the Trust's other issued and outstanding
securities under any such agreements.
(c) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given unless the Company and the Trust has obtained the written
consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or departure; PROVIDED no amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent to the departure with respect to the provisions of
Section 4 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable
Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder of Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (i) this Agreement may be
amended, without the consent of any Holder of Registrable Securities, by written
agreement signed by the Company, the Trust and DLJ, to cure any ambiguity,
correct or supplement any provision of this Agreement that may be inconsistent
with any other provision of this Agreement or to make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement which shall not be
inconsistent with other provisions of this Agreement, (ii) this Agreement may be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers and consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may be given, by written agreement signed by the Company,
the Trust and DLJ to the extent that any such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or consent is, in their reasonable judgment, necessary or
appropriate to comply with applicable law (including any interpretation of the
Staff of the SEC) or any change therein and (iii) to the extent any provision of
this Agreement relates to the Initial Purchasers, such provision may be amended,
modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from such
provisions may be given, by written agreement signed by DLJ, the Company and the
Trust.
(d) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company
31
<PAGE>
or the Trust by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 7(d), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial
Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the
Company or the Trust, initially at the Company's address set forth in the
Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is
given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(d).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(e) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of the
Initial Purchasers, including, without limitation and without the need for an
express assignment, subsequent Holders; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing herein
shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of
Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or
the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable
Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person
shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to
receive the benefits hereof.
(f) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. Each of the Initial Purchasers shall be
a third party beneficiary of the agreements made hereunder between the Company
and the Trust, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, and shall
have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such
enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
Holders hereunder.
32
<PAGE>
(g) 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.
(h) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT,
AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO ANY PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS.
(j) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) SECURITIES HELD BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUST OR ITS AFFILIATES.
Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the
Company, the Trust or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or
approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
33
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
By: /s/ Robert S. Gorin
--------------------------------
Name: Robert S. Gorin
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
W.R BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
By: /s/ Robert S. Gorin
--------------------------------
Name: Robert S. Gorin
Title: Administrative Trustee
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above
written:
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
By: DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION,
as Representative of the
Several Initial Purchasers
By: /s/ Leandro S. Galban Jr.
------------------------------
Name: Leandro S. Galban Jr.
Title: Managing Director
34
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit 12
W.R. Berkley Corporation and subsidiaries
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
Nine Months
Ended September 30, Year Ended December 31,
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle, but after minority
interest................................................. $ 83,612 $ 55,027 $ 78,436 $ 33,542 $ 61,364 $ 54,521 $ 60,084
Add:
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor... 2,359 2,359 3,146 2,667 2,010 1,760 1,678
Interest expense......................................... 23,655 21,216 28,209 27,601 25,275 19,266 10,618
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income as adjusted $109,626 $ 78,602 $109,791 $ 63,810 $ 88,649 $ 75,547 $ 72,380
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Fixed charges:.............................................
Interest expense......................................... $23,655 $ 21,216 $ 28,209 $ 27,601 $25,275 $ 19,266 $ 10,618
Preferred dividends...................................... 13,638 10,275 14,041 10,356
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor... 2,359 2,359 3,146 2,667 2,010 1,760 1,678
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total.................................................... $ 39,652 $ 33,850 $ 45,395 $ 40,624 $ 27,285 $ 21,026 $ 12,296
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.8 2.3 2.4 1.6 3.2 3.6 5.9
=== === === === === === ===
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors
W.R. Berkley Corporation:
We consent to the use of our report on W.R. Berkley Corporation and
subsidiaries (the Company) incorporated herein by reference and to the reference
to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
The report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP on the financial statements, schedules
and selected financial data of the Company as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, refers
to the adoption of the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" at December 31, 1993, and the
adoption of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" in 1992.
/S/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
January 31, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of
Attorney has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated. By so signing, each of the undersigned, in his capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of W.R. Berkley Corporation
(the "Corporation"), does hereby appoint Anthony J. Del Tufo and Robert S.
Gorin, or either of them, his true and lawful attorney to execute in his name,
place and stead, in his capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case
may be, of the Corporation, the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), and any and all
amendments to said Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Commission.
Said attorneys, or either of them, shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the
premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said
attorney.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ------------------------------ -------------------------- -------------------
/s/ WILLIAM R. BERKLEY Chairman of the Board and
- ------------------------------ Chief Executive Officer January 31, 1997
William R. Berkley (Chief Executive Officer)
/s/ JOHN D. VOLLARO President and Chief
- ------------------------------ Operating Officer and January 31, 1997
John D. Vollaro Director
Senior Vice President,
/s/ ANTHONY J. DEL TUFO Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------ and Treasurer (Chief January 31, 1997
Anthony J. Del Tufo Financial Officer)
/s/ CLEMENT P. PATAFIO Vice President and
- ------------------------------ Corporate Controller January 31, 1997
Clement P. Patafio (Chief Accounting Officer)
/s/ ROBERT B. HODES
- ------------------------------ Director January 31, 1997
Robert B. Hodes
/s/ HENRY KAUFMAN
- ------------------------------ Director January 31, 1997
Henry Kaufman
/s/ RICHARD G. MERRILL
- ------------------------------ Director January 31, 1997
Richard G. Merrill
/s/ JACK H. NUSBAUM
- ------------------------------ Director January 31, 1997
Jack H. Nusbaum
/s/ MARK L. SHAPIRO
- ------------------------------ Director January 29, 1997
Mark L. Shapiro
/s/ MARTIN STONE
- ------------------------------ Director January 31, 1997
Martin Stone
<PAGE>
================================================================================
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)
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)
______________________
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
165 Mason Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06836-2518
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
______________________
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
(Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE>
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.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
(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 RULE 24 OF THE
COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.
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.)
-2-
<PAGE>
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.
-3-
<PAGE>
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 30th day of January, 1997.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ Byron Merino
-------------------------------
Name: Byron Merino
Title: Assistant Treasurer
-4-
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30,
1996, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of
this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
Dollar Amounts
ASSETS in Thousands
Cash and balances due from depos-
itory institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and
currency and coin .................. $ 4,404,522
Interest-bearing balances .......... 732,833
Securities:
Held-to-maturity securities ........ 789,964
Available-for-sale securities ...... 2,005,509
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold ................... 3,364,838
Loans and lease financing
receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income .................28,728,602
LESS: Allowance for loan and
lease losses ..............584,525
LESS: Allocated transfer risk
reserve........................429
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income, allowance, and reserve 28,143,648
Assets held in trading accounts ...... 1,004,242
Premises and fixed assets (including
capitalized leases) ................ 605,668
Other real estate owned .............. 41,238
Investments in unconsolidated
subsidiaries and associated
companies .......................... 205,031
Customers' liability to this bank on
acceptances outstanding ............ 949,154
Intangible assets .................... 490,524
Other assets ......................... 1,305,839
-----------
Total assets ......................... $44,043,010
===========
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices ................ $20,441,318
Noninterest-bearing .......8,158,472
Interest-bearing .........12,282,846
In foreign offices, Edge and
Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ... 11,710,903
Noninterest-bearing ..........46,182
Interest-bearing .........11,664,721
Federal funds purchased in
domestic offices of the
bank:
Federal funds purchased ............ 1,565,288
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
Treasury ........................... 293,186
Trading liabilities .................. 826,856
Other borrowed money:
With original maturity of one year
or less .......................... 2,103,443
With original maturity of more than
one year ......................... 20,766
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
cuted and outstanding .............. 951,116
Subordinated notes and debentures .... 1,020,400
Other liabilities .................... 1,522,884
-----------
Total liabilities .................... 40,456,160
-----------
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock ........................ 942,284
Surplus ............................. 525,666
Undivided profits and capital
reserves .......................... 2,129,376
Net unrealized holding gains
(losses) on available-for-sale
securities ........................ ( 2,073)
Cumulative foreign currency transla-
tion adjustments .................. ( 8,403)
-----------
Total equity capital ................ 3,586,850
-----------
Total liabilities and equity
capital ........................... $44,043,010
===========
I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Robert E. Keilman
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.
J. Carter Bacot
Thomas A. Renyi Directors
Alan R. Griffith
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
================================================================================
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)
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)
______________________
W.R. BERKLEY CAPITAL TRUST
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
165 Mason Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06836-2518
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
______________________
Capital Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE>
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.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
(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 RULE 24 OF THE
COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.
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.)
-2-
<PAGE>
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.
-3-
<PAGE>
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 30th day of January, 1997.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ Byron Merino
--------------------------
Name: Byron Merino
Title: Assistant Treasurer
-4-
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30,
1996, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of
this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
Dollar Amounts
ASSETS in Thousands
Cash and balances due from depos-
itory institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and
currency and coin .................. $ 4,404,522
Interest-bearing balances .......... 732,833
Securities:
Held-to-maturity securities ........ 789,964
Available-for-sale securities ...... 2,005,509
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold ................... 3,364,838
Loans and lease financing
receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income .................28,728,602
LESS: Allowance for loan and
lease losses ..............584,525
LESS: Allocated transfer risk
reserve........................429
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income, allowance, and reserve 28,143,648
Assets held in trading accounts ...... 1,004,242
Premises and fixed assets (including
capitalized leases) ................ 605,668
Other real estate owned .............. 41,238
Investments in unconsolidated
subsidiaries and associated
companies .......................... 205,031
Customers' liability to this bank on
acceptances outstanding ............ 949,154
Intangible assets .................... 490,524
Other assets ......................... 1,305,839
-----------
Total assets ......................... $44,043,010
===========
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices ................ $20,441,318
Noninterest-bearing .......8,158,472
Interest-bearing .........12,282,846
In foreign offices, Edge and
Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ... 11,710,903
Noninterest-bearing ..........46,182
Interest-bearing .........11,664,721
Federal funds purchased in
domestic offices of the
bank:
Federal funds purchased ............ 1,565,288
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
Treasury ........................... 293,186
Trading liabilities .................. 826,856
Other borrowed money:
With original maturity of one year
or less .......................... 2,103,443
With original maturity of more than
one year ......................... 20,766
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
cuted and outstanding .............. 951,116
Subordinated notes and debentures .... 1,020,400
Other liabilities .................... 1,522,884
-----------
Total liabilities .................... 40,456,160
-----------
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock ........................ 942,284
Surplus ............................. 525,666
Undivided profits and capital
reserves .......................... 2,129,376
Net unrealized holding gains
(losses) on available-for-sale
securities ........................ ( 2,073)
Cumulative foreign currency transla-
tion adjustments .................. ( 8,403)
-----------
Total equity capital ................ 3,586,850
-----------
Total liabilities and equity
capital ........................... $44,043,010
===========
I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Robert E. Keilman
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.
J. Carter Bacot
Thomas A. Renyi Directors
Alan R. Griffith
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
================================================================================
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)
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)
______________________
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
165 Mason Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06836-2518
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
______________________
Guarantee of W.R. Berkley Corporation of
W.R. Berkley Capital Trust
(Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE>
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.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
(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 RULE 24 OF THE
COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.
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.)
-2-
<PAGE>
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.
-3-
<PAGE>
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 30th day of January, 1997.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ Byron Merino
--------------------------
Name: Byron Merino
Title: Assistant Treasurer
-4-
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30,
1996, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of
this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
Dollar Amounts
ASSETS in Thousands
Cash and balances due from depos-
itory institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and
currency and coin .................. $ 4,404,522
Interest-bearing balances .......... 732,833
Securities:
Held-to-maturity securities ........ 789,964
Available-for-sale securities ...... 2,005,509
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold ................... 3,364,838
Loans and lease financing
receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income .................28,728,602
LESS: Allowance for loan and
lease losses ..............584,525
LESS: Allocated transfer risk
reserve........................429
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income, allowance, and reserve 28,143,648
Assets held in trading accounts ...... 1,004,242
Premises and fixed assets (including
capitalized leases) ................ 605,668
Other real estate owned .............. 41,238
Investments in unconsolidated
subsidiaries and associated
companies .......................... 205,031
Customers' liability to this bank on
acceptances outstanding ............ 949,154
Intangible assets .................... 490,524
Other assets ......................... 1,305,839
-----------
Total assets ......................... $44,043,010
===========
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices ................ $20,441,318
Noninterest-bearing .......8,158,472
Interest-bearing .........12,282,846
In foreign offices, Edge and
Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ... 11,710,903
Noninterest-bearing ..........46,182
Interest-bearing .........11,664,721
Federal funds purchased in
domestic offices of the
bank:
Federal funds purchased ............ 1,565,288
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
Treasury ........................... 293,186
Trading liabilities .................. 826,856
Other borrowed money:
With original maturity of one year
or less .......................... 2,103,443
With original maturity of more than
one year ......................... 20,766
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
cuted and outstanding .............. 951,116
Subordinated notes and debentures .... 1,020,400
Other liabilities .................... 1,522,884
-----------
Total liabilities .................... 40,456,160
-----------
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock ........................ 942,284
Surplus ............................. 525,666
Undivided profits and capital
reserves .......................... 2,129,376
Net unrealized holding gains
(losses) on available-for-sale
securities ........................ ( 2,073)
Cumulative foreign currency transla-
tion adjustments .................. ( 8,403)
-----------
Total equity capital ................ 3,586,850
-----------
Total liabilities and equity
capital ........................... $44,043,010
===========
I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Robert E. Keilman
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.
J. Carter Bacot
Thomas A. Renyi Directors
Alan R. Griffith
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
