<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated October 26, 1999)
[LOGO]
$300,000,000
JOHN DEERE CAPITAL CORPORATION
7.00% NOTES DUE OCTOBER 15, 2002
MATURITY
- - The Notes will mature on October 15, 2002.
INTEREST
- - Interest on the Notes is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year,
beginning April 15, 2000.
- - Interest will accrue from October 29, 1999.
REDEMPTION
- - We cannot redeem the Notes prior to maturity.
- - There is no sinking fund.
LISTING
- - We do not intend to list the Notes on any securities exchange.
RANKING
- - The Notes are unsecured. The Notes rank equally with all of our existing and
future senior debt.
THE COMPANY
- - Our principal office is located at 1 East First Street, Reno, Nevada 89501.
Our telephone number is 702/786-5527.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE NOTES OR DETERMINED THAT THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ATTACHED PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL PRICE UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO US
TO PUBLIC DISCOUNT (BEFORE EXPENSES)
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER NOTE 99.967% .350% 99.617%
TOTAL $299,901,000 $1,050,000 $298,851,000
</TABLE>
Your purchase price will also include interest that has accrued on the Notes
since October 29, 1999, if any.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - The Notes will be delivered to you in global form through the book-entry
delivery system of The Depository Trust Company on October 29, 1999.
- - The Underwriters listed below will purchase the Notes from us on a firm
commitment basis and offer them to you, subject to certain conditions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
JOINT BOOK-RUNNING MANAGERS
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC CHASE SECURITIES INC.
----------------------------------------------
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN
J.P. MORGAN & CO.
The date of this prospectus supplement is October 26, 1999.
<PAGE>
In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
attached prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other
information. If you receive any unauthorized information, you must not rely on
it.
We are offering to sell the Notes only in places where sales are permitted.
You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement or the attached prospectus is accurate
as of any date other than its respective date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
--------
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Use of Proceeds...................... S-3
Description of the Notes............. S-3
Underwriting......................... S-4
PROSPECTUS
Where You Can Find More Information.. 2
The Company.......................... 3
Use of Proceeds...................... 4
Prospectus........................... 4
Prospectus Supplement................ 4
Description of Debt Securities....... 5
Description of Debt Warrants......... 18
Description of Preferred Stock....... 20
Plan of Distribution................. 23
Legal Opinions....................... 23
Experts.............................. 23
</TABLE>
S-2
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to reduce the
amount of our U.S. commercial paper. Before then, we may invest proceeds in
short-term securities. On September 30, 1999, we had outstanding
$1,124.2 million of commercial paper. This commercial paper bore interest at
discount rates ranging from 4.65% to 5.73% per annum. We will continue to incur
short-term debt, primarily by issuing commercial paper, to finance our current
operations. See "Use of Proceeds" in the prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The Notes will be senior debt issued under the Indenture dated as of
March 15, 1997 (the "Senior Indenture") between us and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
Senior Trustee. Information about the Senior Indenture and the general terms and
provisions of the Notes is in the prospectus under "Description of Debt
Securities."
We may, without the consent of the Note holders, issue additional Notes
having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as
the Notes. Any additional Notes and the Notes will constitute a single series
under the Senior Indenture. No additional Notes may be issued if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.
In the prospectus, there is a section called "Description of Debt
Securities--Defeasance." This section has provisions on the defeasance and
covenant defeasance of securities issued under the Senior Indenture. These
provisions will apply to the Notes.
The Notes will be issued in book-entry form as one or more Notes registered
in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), which will
act as a depository. Beneficial interests in book-entry Notes will be shown on,
and transfers of the Notes will be made only through, records maintained by DTC
and its participants. The provisions set forth under "Description of Debt
Securities--Book-Entry Debt Securities" in the prospectus will apply to the
Notes.
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
The Notes will mature on October 15, 2002. The interest rate on the Notes
will be 7.00% per annum. We will pay interest in arrears on April 15 and
October 15, beginning April 15, 2000. Interest will accrue from October 29, 1999
or from the most recent interest payment date to which we have paid or provided
for the payment of interest to the next interest payment date or the scheduled
maturity date, as the case may be. We will pay interest computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
We will pay interest on the Notes in immediately available funds to the
persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on the
March 31 or September 30 preceding the respective interest payment date. At
maturity, we will pay the principal of the Notes in immediately available funds
upon delivery of the Notes to the Senior Trustee.
If an interest payment date or the maturity date is not a "Business Day", we
will pay interest or principal, as the case may be, on the next succeeding
Business Day, but will not pay additional interest. The term "Business Day"
means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which applicable law
authorizes or requires banking institutions in The City of New York to close.
REDEMPTION
We will not have the right to redeem the Notes before their scheduled
maturity, and the Note holders will not have the right to require us to redeem
the Notes before their scheduled maturity. We will not make any sinking fund
payments.
S-3
<PAGE>
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
The Notes will trade in DTC's same-day funds settlement system until
maturity or until we issue the Notes in definitive form. DTC will therefore
require trades in the secondary market to settle in immediately available funds.
GOVERNING LAW
The Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York.
UNDERWRITING
We and the Underwriters have entered into an Underwriting Agreement relating
to the offering and sale of the Notes. In the Underwriting Agreement, we have
agreed to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter has agreed to purchase
from us, the principal amount of Notes that appears opposite its name in the
table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITER AMOUNT
- ----------- -------------
<S> <C>
Banc of America Securities LLC.............................. $105,000,000
Chase Securities Inc........................................ 105,000,000
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation...................... 30,000,000
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc................................ 30,000,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.................................. 30,000,000
------------
Total..................................................... $300,000,000
============
</TABLE>
The obligations of the Underwriters under the Underwriting Agreement,
including their agreement to purchase Notes from us, are several and not joint.
Those obligations are also subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions
contained in the Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriters have agreed to
purchase all of the Notes if any of them are purchased.
The Underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the Notes to the
public initially at the initial price to public that appears on the cover page
of this prospectus supplement. The Underwriters may offer the Notes to selected
dealers at the price to public minus a selling concession of up to 0.210% of the
principal amount. In addition, the Underwriters may allow, and those selected
dealers may reallow, a selling concession of up to 0.175% of the principal
amount to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the
Underwriters may change the price to public and any other selling terms.
In the Underwriting Agreement, we have agreed that:
- we will pay the printing, rating agency, trustee, legal and other expenses
related to this offering, which we estimate will be $210,000; and
- we will indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no
established trading market for the Notes. In addition, we do not intend to apply
for the Notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the
Notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The Underwriters have advised us
that they intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do
so. The Underwriters may discontinue any market making in the Notes at any time
in their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid
trading market will develop for the Notes, that you will be able to sell your
Notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell
will be favorable.
S-4
<PAGE>
In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may engage in
overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in
accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a
short position for the Underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to
purchase the Notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or
maintaining the price of the Notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve
purchases of the Notes in the open market after the distribution has been
completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and
syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the Notes to be higher
than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the
Underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may
discontinue them at any time.
Hans W. Becherer, our Chairman and the Chairman of Deere & Company, and John
R. Stafford, a director of Deere & Company, are directors of The Chase Manhattan
Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank (the Senior Trustee), which are
affiliates of Chase Securities Inc. Antonio Madero B., a director of
Deere & Company, is a member of the International Advisory Council of The Chase
Manhattan Corporation.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the Underwriters and
their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial
banking and/or investment banking transactions with us and our affiliates.
S-5
<PAGE>
JOHN DEERE CAPITAL CORPORATION
- ----------------------------------
By this prospectus, we offer up to
$1,250,000,000 of--
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
--------------------------------------------
We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the supplements carefully before
you invest.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[LOGO]
The date of this prospectus is October 26, 1999.
<PAGE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference
rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and in New York, New
York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to
the public from the SEC's web site at http:// www.sec.gov. Certain of our debt
securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and information about us is
also available there.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with
them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus. Later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Capital Corporation until our offering of
securities has been completed. This prospectus is part of a registration
statement filed with the SEC.
- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1998.
- Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended January 31, 1999,
April 30, 1999 and July 31, 1999.
- Current Reports on Form 8-K dated November 24 and December 16, 1998 and
February 16, May 18 and August 17, 1999.
You may obtain a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning
us at the following address:
John Deere Capital Corporation
1 East First Street, Suite 600
Reno, Nevada 89501
Attn: Manager
(702) 786-5527
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized anyone
else to provide you with different information. This prospectus is an offer to
sell or to buy only the securities referred to herein, but only under
circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information
contained in this prospectus is current only as of the date hereof.
2
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
The principal business of John Deere Capital Corporation (the "Capital
Corporation") and its subsidiaries (collectively called the "Company") is
providing and administering financing for retail purchases of new and used
equipment manufactured by Deere & Company's agricultural, construction and
commercial and consumer equipment divisions. The Company purchases retail
installment sales and loan contracts (retail notes) from Deere & Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively called "John Deere"). John Deere
acquires these retail notes through independent John Deere retail dealers. The
Company also purchases and finances certain agricultural, construction, and lawn
and grounds care retail notes unrelated to John Deere. In addition, the Company
purchases and finances recreational product retail notes acquired from
independent dealers (recreational product retail notes). The Company also leases
equipment to retail customers, including mining equipment unrelated to John
Deere, finances and services revolving charge accounts acquired from and offered
through merchants or farm input providers in the agricultural, construction, and
lawn and grounds care markets (revolving charge accounts), and provides
wholesale financing for inventories of recreational vehicles, manufactured
housing units, yachts, John Deere engines, and John Deere agricultural and John
Deere construction equipment owned by dealers of those products (wholesale
notes).
John Deere's operations are categorized into five business segments:
John Deere's worldwide AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT segment manufactures and
distributes a full line of farm equipment--including tractors; combine,
cotton, and sugarcane harvesters; tillage, seeding and soil preparation
machinery; sprayers; hay and forage equipment; materials handling equipment;
and integrated precision farming technology.
John Deere's worldwide CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT segment manufactures and
distributes a broad range of machines used in construction, earthmoving and
forestry--including backhoe loaders; crawler dozers and loaders;
four-wheel-drive loaders; excavators; scrapers; motor graders; log skidders;
and forestry harvesters. This segment also includes the manufacture and
distribution of engines and drivetrain components for the original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) market.
John Deere's worldwide COMMERCIAL AND CONSUMER EQUIPMENT segment
manufactures and distributes equipment for commercial and residential
uses--including small tractors for lawn, garden, commercial and utility
purposes; riding and walk-behind mowers; golf course equipment; snowblowers;
hand-held products such as chain saws, string trimmers and leaf blowers;
skid-steer loaders; utility vehicles; and other outdoor power products.
The products produced by the equipment segments are marketed primarily
through independent retail dealer networks and major retail outlets.
The CREDIT segment includes the operations of the Company, John Deere
Credit Company and John Deere Credit Inc., which primarily purchases and
finances retail notes from John Deere's equipment sales branches in Canada,
as well as recreational products and construction and transportation
equipment notes from independent dealers.
The HEALTH CARE segment provides health management programs and related
administrative services in the United States to employees of John Deere and
commercial clients.
The Capital Corporation's corporate offices are located at 1 East First
Street, Suite 600, Reno, Nevada 89501. Its telephone number is 702/786-5527.
3
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may be described otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Securities under this prospectus will be added to
the general funds of the Company and will be used for working capital and other
general corporate purposes, and will be available for, among other things, the
purchase of receivables. The proceeds may be applied initially to the reduction
of short-term indebtedness.
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may
sell any combination of the following securities in one or more offerings up to
a total dollar amount of $1,250,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof if any of the
Securities are denominated in a currency, currency unit or composite currency
("Currency") other than the U.S. dollar): (i) unsecured debt securities ("Debt
Securities") which may be either senior (the "Senior Securities") or
subordinated (the "Subordinated Securities"), (ii) warrants to purchase Debt
Securities ("Debt Warrants") or (iii) shares of preferred stock (the "Preferred
Stock"). The terms of the securities will be determined at the time of offering.
We will refer to the Debt Securities, Debt Warrants and Preferred Stock, or
any combination of those securities, proposed to be sold pursuant to this
prospectus and an accompanying prospectus supplement as the "Offered
Securities". The Offered Securities, together with any Debt Securities and
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of Debt Warrants or conversion or
exchange of other Offered Securities, will be referred to as the "Securities."
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the Debt
Securities, Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities and Preferred Stock we may
offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement
that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The
prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in
this prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, such information
shall be superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement. You should
read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional
information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
The prospectus supplement to be attached to the front of this prospectus
will describe: (i) the terms of any Debt Securities offered, including their
title, ranking, aggregate principal amount, maturity, rate of any interest (or
manner of calculation) and time of payment of principal and/or interest, any
redemption or repayment terms, the Currency or Currencies in which such Debt
Securities will be denominated or payable, any index, formula or other method
pursuant to which principal, premium, or interest, may be determined, any terms
for conversion or exchange and the form of such Debt Securities (registered,
bearer, global and/or certificated); (ii) the terms of any Debt Warrants
offered, including the exercise price, detachability, expiration date and other
terms; (iii) the terms of any Preferred Stock offered, including the specific
designations and dividend, redemption, liquidation, voting and other rights not
described in this prospectus and any terms for conversion or exchange; and
(iv) any initial public offering price, the purchase price and net proceeds to
the Capital Corporation and the other specific terms related to the offering of
such Securities.
For more detail on the terms of the securities, you should read the exhibits
filed with our registration statement.
4
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more distinct series by the
Capital Corporation. This section summarizes terms of the Debt Securities that
are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific terms
of any series of Debt Securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus
supplement to be attached to the front of this prospectus. Since the terms of
specific Debt Securities may differ from the general information we have
provided below, you should rely on information in the prospectus supplement over
different information below.
As required by Federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are
publicly offered, the Debt Securities are governed by a document called an
"Indenture". An Indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution
acting as Trustee on your behalf. The Trustee has two main roles. First, the
Trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some
limitations on the extent to which the Trustee acts on your behalf, described
later on page 10. Second, the Trustee performs certain administrative duties for
us.
The Indentures and associated documents contain the full legal text of the
matters described in this section. The form of each Indenture is contained in
the registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can
Find More Information" on page 2 for information on how to obtain a copy of the
Indentures.
Senior Securities will be issued under an Indenture dated as of March 15,
1997, as supplemented from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"), between the
Capital Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, Trustee (the "Senior
Trustee"), and Subordinated Securities will be issued under an indenture dated
as of March 15, 1997, as supplemented from time to time (the "Subordinated
Indenture"), between the Capital Corporation and The First National Bank of
Chicago, Trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee"). The term "Trustee" refers to
either the Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee, as appropriate. We will
refer to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture together as the
"Indentures" and each as an "Indenture." The Indentures are subject to and
governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA").
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the
Debt Securities. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by
reference to all the provisions of the Indentures, including definitions of
certain terms used in the Indentures. For example, in this section we use
capitalized words to signify terms that have been specifically defined in the
Indentures. Some of the definitions are repeated herein, but for the rest you
will need to read the Indenture. We also include references in parentheses to
certain sections of the Indentures or TIA. Whenever we refer to particular
sections or defined terms of the Indenture in this prospectus or in the
prospectus supplement, such sections or defined terms are incorporated by
reference herein or in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise noted, the
section numbers refer to both Indentures.
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH THE SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED INDENTURES
GENERAL
The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Capital
Corporation. The Senior Securities will rank equally with all other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Capital Corporation. The Subordinated
Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full
of the Senior Indebtedness of the Capital Corporation as described under
"--Subordinated Indenture Provisions--Subordination".
Each Indenture provides that any Debt Securities proposed to be sold
pursuant to this prospectus and the attached prospectus supplement ("Offered
Debt Securities") and any Debt Securities issuable upon the exercise of Debt
Warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other Offered Securities ("Underlying
Debt Securities"), as well as other unsecured debt securities of the Capital
Corporation, may be issued under such Indenture in one or more series.
5
<PAGE>
With respect to the Offered Debt Securities and any Underlying Debt
Securities, you should read the prospectus supplement for the following terms:
(1) The title of such Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities
will be Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities.
(2) The total principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit on
the total principal amount of Debt Securities of such series.
(3) If not the principal amount of the Debt Securities, the portion of
the principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the Debt
Securities or how such portion will be determined.
(4) The date or dates, or how such date or dates will be determined or
extended, when the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable.
(5) The interest rate or rates which the Debt Securities will bear, if
any, or how such rate or rates will be determined, the interest payment
dates, any record dates for such payments and the basis upon which interest
will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.
(6) Any optional redemption provisions.
(7) Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate the Capital
Corporation to repurchase or otherwise redeem the Debt Securities.
(8) The form of such Debt Securities, including whether such Debt
Securities are to be issuable in permanent or temporary global form, as
Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both, any restrictions on the
offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms, if any, upon
which Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered
Securities of the series and VICE VERSA (if permitted by applicable laws and
regulations).
(9) If other than U.S. dollars, the Currency or Currencies of such Debt
Securities.
(10) Whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if
any, on such Debt Securities will be determined with reference to an index,
formula or other method (which could be based on one or more Currencies,
commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how such amounts will be
determined.
(11) The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City
of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of such Debt
Securities.
(12) If other than denominations of $1,000 in the case of Registered
Securities and $5,000 in the case of Bearer Securities, the denominations in
which the offered Debt Securities will be issued.
(13) The applicability of the provisions of Article Fourteen of the
applicable Indenture described under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance"
and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of
the provisions of such Article.
(14) Whether and under what circumstances the Capital Corporation will
pay Additional Amounts, as contemplated by Section 1004 of the applicable
Indenture, in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if
so, whether the Capital Corporation will have the option to redeem such Debt
Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any
such option).
(15) Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of such Debt
Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified.
6
<PAGE>
(16) Any changes or additions to the Events of Default or covenants.
(17) Whether such Debt Securities will be convertible into or
exchangeable for any other securities and the applicable terms and
conditions.
(18) Any other terms of such Debt Securities.
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal
of, premium or interest, if any, on Debt Securities will include Additional
Amounts if required by the terms of such Debt Securities.
Each Indenture will not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be
issued as authorized from time to time by the Capital Corporation. (Section 301)
Securities issued under an Indenture, when a single Trustee is acting for all
debt securities issued under such Indenture, are the "Indenture Securities".
Each Indenture also provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more different series of Indenture Securities. See
"Resignation of Trustee" on page 16. At a time when two or more Trustees are
acting under either Indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the
term "Indenture Securities" means the one or more series of Debt Securities with
respect to which each respective Trustee is acting. In the event that there is
more than one Trustee under either Indenture, the powers and trust obligations
of each Trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more
series of Indenture Securities for which it is Trustee. If two or more Trustees
are acting under either Indenture, then the Indenture Securities for which each
Trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
The Indentures do not contain any provisions that give you protection in the
event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.
Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for information with respect
to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or
covenants of the Capital Corporation that are described below, including any
addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar
protection.
The Capital Corporation has the ability to issue Indenture Securities with
terms different from those of Indenture Securities previously issued and,
without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a
series of Indenture Securities and issue additional Indenture Securities of such
series (unless such reopening was restricted when such series was created).
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE
If any Debt Securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other
Securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of
such conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio
(or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how such
period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at
the option of the holder or the Capital Corporation, provisions for adjustment
of the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting
conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the Debt Securities.
Such terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other
Securities to be received by the holders of such Debt Securities upon conversion
or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of such other
Securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.
7
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER
Debt Securities may be issuable:
- as Registered Securities
- as Bearer Securities (unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement
with interest coupons attached) (Section 201)
- as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities
- in denominations that are even multiples of $1,000 for Registered
Securities and even multiples of $5,000 for Bearer Securities.
(Section 302)
- in global form. See "--Book-Entry Debt Securities".
You may have your Registered Securities separated into more Registered
Securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer Registered Securities
of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
(Section 305) This is called an "exchange". If provided in the prospectus
supplement, you may exchange your Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons,
except as provided below, and all matured coupons which are in default) for
Registered Securities of the same series as long as the total principal amount
is not changed. Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered
Securities between a Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date and the
relevant interest payment dates will be surrendered without the coupon relating
to such interest payment dates, and interest will not be payable in respect of
the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be
payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms
of the applicable Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus
supplement, Bearer Securities will not be issued in exchange for Registered
Securities. (Section 305)
You may transfer Registered Securities of a series and you may exchange Debt
Securities of a series at the office of the Trustee. The Trustee will act as the
Capital Corporation's agent for registering Registered Securities in the names
of Holders and transferring Debt Securities. The Capital Corporation may change
this appointment to another entity or perform the function itself. The entity
performing the role of maintaining the list of registered Holders is called the
"Registrar". The Registrar also will perform transfers. (Section 305)
You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange
Debt Securities, but you may be required to pay for any tax or other
governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or
exchange will only be made if the Registrar is satisfied with your proof of
ownership.
If the Capital Corporation has designated additional transfer agents, they
will be named in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The Capital Corporation
may cancel the designation of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve
a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
If the Securities are redeemable and we redeem less than all of the
Securities of a particular series, we may block the transfer or exchange of
Securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice
of redemption or publish such notice (in the case of Bearer Securities) and
ending on the day of that mailing or publication, as the case may be, in order
to freeze the list of Holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to
register transfers or
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exchanges of Debt Securities selected for redemption, except that we will
continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any Debt
Security being partially redeemed. (Section 305)
If the Offered Debt Securities are redeemable, the procedures for redemption
will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
The Capital Corporation will pay interest to you, if you are listed in the
Trustee's records as the owner of your Debt Security at the close of business on
a particular day in advance of each due date for interest on your Debt Security,
even if you no longer own the Debt Security on the interest due date. That
particular day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is
called the "Record Date" and is defined in the prospectus supplement, while
persons who are listed in the Trustee's records as the owners of Debt Securities
at the close of business on a particular day are referred to as "Holders".
(Section 307) Holders buying and selling Debt Securities must work out between
themselves the appropriate purchase price given that we will pay all the
interest for an interest period to the Holders on the Record Date. The most
common manner is to adjust the sales price of the Debt Securities to prorate
interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership
periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is
called "accrued interest".
The Capital Corporation will deposit interest, principal and any other money
due on the Debt Securities with the Paying Agent specified in the prospectus
supplement.
IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE A BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM HOLD YOUR SECURITIES, YOU SHOULD
ASK SUCH BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU WILL RECEIVE
PAYMENTS. (Section 305)
If Bearer Securities are issued, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus
supplement, the Capital Corporation will maintain an office or agency outside
the United States for the payment of all amounts due on the Bearer Securities.
If Debt Securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other
stock exchange located outside the United States, the Capital Corporation will
maintain an office or agency for such Debt Securities in any city located
outside the United States required by such stock exchange. (Section 1002) The
initial locations of such offices and agencies will be specified in the
prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement,
payment of interest on any Bearer Securities on or before Maturity will be made
only against surrender of coupons for such interest installments as they mature.
(Section 1001) Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, no
payment with respect to any Bearer Security will be made at any office or agency
of the Capital Corporation in the United States or by check mailed to any
address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank
located in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of
principal of, premium and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities payable in U.S.
dollars will be made at the office of the Capital Corporation's Paying Agent in
The City of New York if (but only if) payment of the full amount in U.S. dollars
at all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively
precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions. (Section 1002)
The Capital Corporation may from time to time designate additional offices
or agencies, approve a change in the location of any office or agency and,
except as provided above, rescind the designation of any office or agency.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
You will have special rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the
Debt Securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this
subsection. (Section 501)
WHAT IS AN EVENT OF DEFAULT? The term "Event of Default" in respect of the
Debt Securities of your series means any of the following:
- We do not pay the principal of or any premium on a Debt Security of such
series on its due date.
- We do not pay interest on a Debt Security of such series within 30 days of
its due date.
- We do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of Debt Securities
of such series on its due date.
- We remain in breach of a covenant in respect of Debt Securities of such
series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we
are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the Trustee or Holders of
25% of the principal amount of Debt Securities of such series.
- We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization occur.
- Any other Event of Default in respect of Debt Securities of such series
described in the prospectus supplement occurs. (Section 501)
An Event of Default for a particular series of Debt Securities does not
necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of Debt
Securities issued under an Indenture. The Trustee may withhold notice to the
Holders of Debt Securities of any default (except in the payment of principal or
interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests
of the Holders. (Section 601)
REMEDIES IF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OCCURS. If an Event of Default has occurred
and has not been cured, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of
the Debt Securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal
amount of all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and immediately
payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration
of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of the affected series.
(Section 502)
Except in cases of default, where the Trustee has some special duties, the
Trustee is not required to take any action under the Indenture at the request of
any Holders unless the Holders offer the Trustee reasonable protection from
expenses and liability (called an "indemnity"). (Section 507 and TIA Section
315) If reasonable indemnity is provided, the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the relevant series may direct the
time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action
seeking any remedy available to the Trustee. The Trustee may refuse to follow
those directions in certain circumstances. (Section 512) No delay or omission in
exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of such right, remedy
or Event of Default. (Section 511)
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Before you are allowed to bypass the Trustee and bring your own lawsuit or
other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect
your interests relating to the Debt Securities, the following must occur:
- You must give the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has
occurred and remains uncured.
- The Holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding Debt Securities
of the relevant series must make a written request that the Trustee take
action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the
Trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.
- The Trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the
above notice and offer of indemnity.
- The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities must
not have given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice.
(Section 512)
However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of
money due on your Debt Securities on or after the due date. (Section 508)
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of the
affected series may waive any past defaults other than (1) the payment of
principal, any premium, interest or Additional Amounts or (2) in respect of a
covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder.
(Section 513)
IF YOUR SECURITIES ARE HELD FOR YOU BY A BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT SUCH BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GIVE NOTICE OR
DIRECTION TO OR MAKE A REQUEST OF THE TRUSTEE AND TO MAKE OR CANCEL A
DECLARATION OF ACCELERATION.
Each year, we will furnish to the Trustee a written statement of certain of
our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the
Indenture and the Debt Securities, or else specifying any default. (Section
1005)
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
Under the terms of the Indentures, we are generally permitted to consolidate
or merge with another firm. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially
all of our assets to another firm (Section 801). However, we may not take any of
these actions unless all the following conditions are met:
- Where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the other firm must
agree to be legally responsible for the Debt Securities. (Section 801)
- The merger or sale of assets must not cause a default on the Debt
Securities and we must not already be in default (unless the merger or
sale would cure the default). For purposes of this no-default test, a
default would include an Event of Default that has occurred and not been
cured, as described on page 10 under "--What is An Event of Default?" A
default for this purpose would also include any event that would be an
Event of Default if the requirements for giving us default notice or our
default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded.
(Section 801)
- Under the Senior Indenture, no merger or sale of assets may be made if as
a result any property or assets of the Capital Corporation or a Subsidiary
would become subject to any mortgage, lien or other encumbrance unless
either (i) such mortgage, lien or other encumbrance could be created
pursuant to Section 1006 of such Indenture (see "--Senior Indenture
Provisions--Limitation on Liens" below) without equally and ratably
securing the Indenture Securities or (ii) such Indenture Securities are
secured equally and ratably with or prior to the debt secured by such
mortgage, lien or other encumbrance. (Section 801)
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- We must deliver certain certificates and documents to the Trustee.
(Section 801)
- We must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus
supplement.
MODIFICATION OR WAIVER
There are three types of changes we can make to the Indenture and the Debt
Securities.
CHANGES REQUIRING YOUR APPROVAL. First, there are changes that cannot be
made to your Debt Securities without your specific approval. (Section 902)
Following is a list of those types of changes:
- change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or interest on a Debt
Security;
- reduce any amounts due on a Debt Security;
- reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the Maturity
of a Security following a default;
- adversely affect any right of repayment at the Holder's option;
- change the place (except as otherwise described in this prospectus) or
currency of payment on a Debt Security;
- impair your right to sue for payment;
- modify the subordination provisions in the Subordinated Indenture in a
manner that is adverse to holders of the Subordinated Securities;
- reduce the percentage of Holders of Debt Securities whose consent is
needed to modify or amend the Indenture;
- reduce the percentage of Holders of Debt Securities whose consent is
needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or to
waive certain defaults;
- modify any other aspect of the provisions of the Indenture dealing with
modification and waiver of past defaults (Section 513) or changes to the
quorum or voting requirements of Section 1504 or certain covenants
(Section 1007 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1006 of the Subordinated
Indenture); and
- change any obligation of the Capital Corporation to pay Additional
Amounts.
CHANGES REQUIRING A MAJORITY VOTE. The second type of change to the
Indenture and the Outstanding Debt Securities is the kind that requires a vote
in favor by Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities owning a majority of the
principal amount of the particular series affected. Most changes fall into this
category, except for clarifying changes and certain other changes that would not
adversely affect Holders of the Outstanding Debt Securities in any material
respect. The same vote would be required for us to obtain a waiver of all or
part of certain covenants in the applicable Indenture (Section 1007 of the
Senior Indenture; Section 1006 of the Subordinated Indenture), or a waiver of a
past default. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any
other aspect of the Indentures or the Outstanding Debt Securities listed in the
first category described previously under "--Changes Requiring Your Approval"
unless we obtain your individual consent to the waiver.
CHANGES NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL. The third type of change does not require
any vote by Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities. This type is limited to
clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect Holders
of the Outstanding Debt Securities in any material respect. (Section 901)
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FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING VOTING. When taking a vote, we will use the
following rules to decide how much principal amount to attribute to a Debt
Security:
- For Original Issue Discount Securities, we will use the principal amount
that would be due and payable on the voting date if the Maturity of the
Debt Securities were accelerated to that date because of a default.
- For Debt Securities whose principal amount is not known (for example,
because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that Debt
Security described in the prospectus supplement.
- For Debt Securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.
Debt Securities will not be considered Outstanding, and therefore not
eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for you money for
their payment or redemption. Debt Securities will also not be eligible to vote
if they have been fully defeased as described later under "Defeasance--Full
Defeasance." (Section 101)
The Capital Corporation will generally be entitled to set any day as a
record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Indenture
Securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the Indentures.
If the Capital Corporation sets a record date for a vote or other action to be
taken by Holders of a particular series, that vote or action may be taken only
by persons who are Holders of Outstanding Indenture Securities of that series on
the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or
another period that we may specify. The Capital Corporation may shorten or
lengthen this period from time to time. (Section 104)
IF YOUR SECURITIES ARE HELD BY A BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM, YOU SHOULD CONSULT SUCH
BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM FOR INFORMATION ON HOW APPROVAL MAY BE GRANTED OR DENIED
IF WE SEEK TO CHANGE THE INDENTURE OR THE DEBT SECURITIES OR REQUEST A WAIVER.
Each Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities issued as Bearer Securities. (Section 1501) A meeting may be
called at any time by the applicable Trustee, and also, upon request, by the
Capital Corporation or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, upon notice given as provided in the
applicable Indenture. (Section 1502) Except for any consent that must be given
by the Holder of each Debt Security affected thereby, as described above, any
resolution presented at a meeting (or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened) at
which a quorum is present may be adopted by the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; except, that
any resolution that the Holders of a specified percentage (which is less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series) may
adopt or may be adopted at a meeting (or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened)
at which a quorum is present by vote of the specified percentage of Holders of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or
decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of a series in
accordance with the applicable Indenture will be binding on all Holders of Debt
Securities of that series and any related coupons. The quorum at any meeting
called to adopt a resolution will be persons holding or representing a majority
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series, except that
if any action is to be taken at such meeting which may be given by the Holders
of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of a series, the persons holding or representing such specified
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series
will constitute a quorum. (Section 1504)
Notwithstanding the above, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of
Holders of Debt Securities of a series that the applicable Indenture expressly
provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal
amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby or of
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the Holders of such series and one or more additional series: (i) there will be
no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting and (ii) the principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series that vote in favor of such action
will be taken into account in determining whether such action has been made,
given or taken under such Indenture. (Section 1504)
DEFEASANCE
The following discussion of full defeasance and covenant defeasance will be
applicable to your series of Debt Securities only if we choose to have them
apply to that series. If we do so choose, we will specify the choice in the
prospectus supplement. (Section 1401)
COVENANT DEFEASANCE. Under current federal tax law, we can make the same
type of deposit described above and be released from some of the restrictive
covenants in the Indentures. This is called "covenant defeasance." In that
event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would
gain the protection of having money and debt securities set aside in trust to
repay the Debt Securities. You also would be released from the subordination
provisions on the Subordinated Securities described under "Subordination" on
page 16. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
- We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other
direct Holders of the Debt Securities a combination of money and U.S.
government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate
enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Debt
Securities on their various due dates.
- We must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming
that under current federal income tax law we may make the above deposit
without causing you to be taxed on the Debt Securities any differently
than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the Debt Securities
ourselves.
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment
of the Debt Securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the
trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining
Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the Debt Securities
become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on
the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the
shortfall.
FULL DEFEASANCE. If there is a change in federal tax law, as described
below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations
on the Debt Securities (called "full defeasance") if we put in place the
following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
- We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other
direct Holders of the Debt Securities a combination of money and U.S.
government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate
enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Debt
Securities on their various due dates.
- We must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has
been a change in current federal tax law or an IRS ruling that lets us
make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the Debt
Securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just
repaid the Debt Securities ourselves. (Sections 1403 and 1404) (Under
current federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the Debt
Securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash
and notes or bonds at the time such cash and notes or bonds are deposited
in trust in exchange for your Debt Securities and you would recognize gain
or loss on the Debt Securities at the time of the deposit.)
If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to
rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the Debt Securities. You could
not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely,
the trust deposit would most likely be protected from
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claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever become bankrupt or
insolvent. You would also be released from the subordination provisions on the
Subordinated Debt Securities described later under "Subordination" on page 16.
BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES
Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global form
that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the
prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered or
bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form (each, a "Global
Security"). Global Securities will be registered in the name of a financial
institution we select, and the Debt Securities included in the Global Securities
may not be transferred to the name of any other direct Holder unless the special
circumstances described below occur. The financial institution that acts as the
sole direct Holder of the Global Security is called the "Depositary". Any person
wishing to own a Debt Security must do so indirectly by virtue of an account
with a broker, bank or other financial institution that, in turn, has an account
with the Depositary.
SPECIAL INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES. Our obligation, as
well as the obligations of the Trustee and those of any third parties employed
by us or the Trustee, run only to Persons who are registered as Holders of Debt
Securities. For example, once we make payment to the registered Holder, we have
no further responsibility for the payment even if that Holder is legally
required to pass the payment along to you but does not do so. As an indirect
holder, an investor's rights relating to a Global Security will be governed by
the account rules of the investor's financial institution and of the Depositary,
as well as general laws relating to debt securities transfers.
An investor should be aware that when Debt Securities are issued in the form
of Global Securities:
- The investor cannot get Debt Securities registered in his or her own name.
- The investor cannot receive physical certificates for his or her interest
in the Debt Securities.
- The investor must look to his or her own bank or brokerage firm for
payments on the Debt Securities and protection of his or her legal rights
relating to the Debt Securities.
- The investor may not be able to sell interests in the Debt Securities to
some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law
to hold the physical certificates of Debt Securities that they own.
- The Depositary's policies will govern payments, transfers, exchange and
other matters relating to the investor's interest in the Global Security.
We and the Trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the
Depositary's actions or for its records of ownership interests in the
Global Security. We and the Trustee also do not supervise the Depositary
in any way.
- The Depositary will usually require that interests in a Global Security be
purchased or sold within its system using same-day funds.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS WHEN GLOBAL SECURITY WILL BE TERMINATED. In a few
special situations described later, the Global Security will terminate and
interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing Debt
Securities. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold Debt Securities
directly or indirectly through an account at its bank or brokerage firm will be
up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find
out how to have their interests in Debt Securities transferred to their own
names, so that they will be direct Holders.
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The special situations for termination of a Global Security are:
- When the Depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer
qualified to continue as Depositary (unless a replacement Depositary is
named).
- When an Event of Default on the Debt Securities has occurred and has not
been cured. (Defaults are discussed later under "Events of Default" on
page 10.)
- When and if we decide to terminate a Global Security.
The prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a Global
Security that would apply only to the particular series of Debt Securities
covered by the prospectus supplement. When a Global Security terminates, the
Depositary (and not we or the Trustee) is responsible for deciding the names of
the institutions that will be the initial direct Holders. Unless otherwise
provided in the prospectus supplement, Debt Securities that are represented by a
Global Security will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
Section 302
IN THE "ADDITIONAL MECHANICS" SECTION OF THIS DESCRIPTION, "YOU" MEANS DIRECT
HOLDERS AND NOT INDIRECT HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES.
RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEE
Each Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Indenture Securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with
respect to such series. (Section 608) In the event that two or more persons are
acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Indenture Securities under
one of the Indentures, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust separate
and apart from the trust administered by any other such Trustee (Section 609),
and any action described herein to be taken by the "Trustee" may then be taken
by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more
series of Indenture Securities for which it is Trustee.
SENIOR INDENTURE PROVISIONS
LIMITATION ON LIENS
The Capital Corporation covenants in the Senior Indenture that neither it
nor any Subsidiary will pledge or subject to any lien any of its property or
assets unless the Indenture Securities issued under such Indenture are secured
by such pledge or lien equally and ratably with other indebtedness thereby
secured. There are excluded from this covenant, liens created to secure
obligations for the purchase price of physical property, liens of a Subsidiary
securing indebtedness owed to the Capital Corporation, liens existing on
property acquired upon exercise of rights arising out of defaults on receivables
acquired in the ordinary course of business, sales of receivables accounted for
as secured indebtedness in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, certain liens not related to the borrowing of money and other liens
not securing borrowed money aggregating less than $500,000. (Section 1006 of the
Senior Indenture)
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE PROVISIONS
SUBORDINATION
Upon any distribution of assets of the Capital Corporation upon any
dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Subordinated
Securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the Subordinated
Indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness (Sections 1601
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and 1602 of the Subordinated Indenture), but the obligation of the Capital
Corporation to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities will not otherwise be affected.
(Section 1604 of the Subordinated Indenture) In addition, no payment on account
of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made
on the Subordinated Securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts
due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest
on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money's
worth. (Section 1603 of the Subordinated Indenture) In the event that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any such payment by the Capital Corporation is
received by the Subordinated Trustee or the holders of any of the Subordinated
Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or
distribution shall be paid over to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or on
their behalf for application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after
giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness
upon such distribution of the Capital Corporation, the holders of the
Subordinated Securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness out of the distributive share of the Subordinated Securities.
(Section 1602 of the Subordinated Indenture) By reason of such subordination, in
the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain general creditors
of the Capital Corporation may recover more, ratably, than holders of the
Subordinated Securities. The Subordinated Indenture provides that the
subordination provisions thereof will not apply to money and securities held in
trust pursuant to the defeasance provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.
(Section 1402 of the Subordinated Indenture)
Senior Indebtedness is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the
principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (i) indebtedness of
the Capital Corporation (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the
Capital Corporation), whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated
Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money
borrowed (other than the Indenture Securities issued under the Subordinated
Indenture and the 8 5/8% Subordinated Debentures due 2019 of the Capital
Corporation), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or
pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness
is not senior or prior in right of payment to the Subordinated Securities and
(ii) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such
indebtedness. (Section 101 of the Subordinated Indenture)
If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of
Subordinated Securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the
information incorporated by reference will set forth the approximate amount of
Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
THE TRUSTEES UNDER THE INDENTURES
The Chase Manhattan Bank and The First National Bank of Chicago are two of a
number of banks with which the Capital Corporation and Deere & Company maintain
ordinary banking relationships and from which the Capital Corporation and Deere
& Company have obtained credit facilities and lines of credit. The Chase
Manhattan Bank also serves as trustee under other indentures under which the
Capital Corporation or Deere & Company is the obligor. Hans W. Becherer,
Chairman of the Capital Corporation and Deere & Company and John R. Stafford, a
director of Deere & Company, are directors of the Trustee and its parent, The
Chase Manhattan Bank Corporation. The First National Bank of Chicago also serves
as trustee under another indenture under which the Capital Corporation is an
obligor.
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CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Debt Securities denominated or payable in foreign Currencies may entail
significant risks. These risks include, without limitation, the possibility of
significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or
modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the
secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the Currency or
Currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS
The Capital Corporation may issue (either together with other Offered
Securities or separately) Debt Warrants to purchase Underlying Debt Securities
("Offered Debt Warrants"). Such Debt Warrants will be issued under warrant
agreements (each a "Debt Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the
Capital Corporation and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the "Debt
Warrant Agent"), as described in the prospectus supplement. A copy of the form
of Debt Warrant Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement. The following summary of the Debt Warrant Agreement is not complete
and is subject to, and are qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the
provisions of the Debt Warrant Agreement and the accompanying Debt Warrant
certificates, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
GENERAL
You should read the prospectus supplement for the terms of the Offered Debt
Warrants, including the following:
(1) The title and aggregate number of such Debt Warrants.
(2) The title, rank, aggregate principal amount and terms of the
Underlying Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants.
(3) The principal amount of Underlying Debt Securities that may be
purchased upon exercise of each such Debt Warrant, and the price or the
manner of determining the price at which such principal amount may be
purchased upon such exercise.
(4) The time or times at which, or period or periods, in which, such
Debt Warrants may be exercised and the expiration date of such Debt
Warrants.
(5) Any optional redemption terms.
(6) Whether certificates evidencing such Debt Warrants ("Debt Warrant
Certificates") will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if
registered, where they may be transferred and exchanged.
(7) Whether such Debt Warrants are to be issued with any Debt Securities
or any other Securities.
(8) The date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and
Underlying Debt Securities will be separately transferable.
(9) Any other terms of such Debt Warrants.
If applicable, the prospectus supplement will also set forth information
concerning other securities offered thereby and a discussion of federal income
tax considerations relevant thereto. Debt Warrant Certificates will be
exchangeable for new Debt Warrant Certificates of different denominations.
No service charge will be made for any permitted transfer or exchange of
Debt Warrant Certificates, but the Capital Corporation may require payment of
any tax or other governmental charge
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payable in connection therewith. Debt Warrants may be exercised and exchanged
and Debt Warrants in registered form may be presented for registration of
transfer at the corporate trust office of the Debt Warrant Agent or any other
office indicated in the prospectus supplement.
EXERCISE OF DEBT WARRANTS
Each Offered Debt Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such
amount of Underlying Debt Securities at the exercise price set forth in, or
calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to such Offered Debt
Warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised Debt
Warrants will become void.
Debt Warrants may be exercised by payment to the Debt Warrant Agent of the
applicable exercise price and by delivery to the Debt Warrant Agent of the
related Debt Warrant Certificate, properly completed. Debt Warrants will be
deemed to have been exercised upon receipt of the exercise price, subject to the
receipt by the Debt Warrant Agent, within five business days thereafter, of the
Debt Warrant Certificate or Certificates evidencing such Debt Warrants. Upon
receipt of such payment and the properly completed Debt Warrant Certificates at
the corporate trust office of the Debt Warrant Agent or any other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement, the Capital Corporation will, as soon as
practicable, deliver the amount of Underlying Debt Securities purchased upon
such exercise. If fewer than all of the Debt Warrants represented by any Debt
Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Debt Warrant Certificate will be issued
for the unexercised Debt Warrants. The holder of a Debt Warrant will be required
to pay any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any transfer involved in the issuance of Underlying Debt Securities
purchased upon such exercise.
MODIFICATIONS
There are three types of changes we can make to the Debt Warrant Agreement
and the Offered Debt Warrants.
CHANGES REQUIRING YOUR APPROVAL. First, there are changes that cannot be
made to your Debt Warrants without your specific approval. Those types of
changes include modifications and amendments that:
- accelerate the expiration date,
- increase the exercise price,
- reduce the number of outstanding Debt Warrants, the consent of the holders
of which is required for any such modification or amendment,
- otherwise materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of the
Debt Warrants.
CHANGES REQUIRING A MAJORITY VOTE. The second type of change to the Debt
Warrant Agreement and the Offered Debt Warrants is the kind that requires a vote
in favor by Holders of Debt Warrants owning a majority of the principal amount
of the particular series affected. Most changes fall into this category.
CHANGES NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL. The third type of change does not require
any vote by holders of Debt Warrants. This type of change is limited to
clarifications and other changes that would not materially and adversely affect
holders of the Debt Warrants.
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NO RIGHTS AS HOLDERS OF UNDERLYING DEBT SECURITIES
Before the warrants are exercised, Holders of Debt Warrants are not entitled
to payments of principal of premium, or interest, if any, on the related
Underlying Debt Securities or to exercise any other rights whatsoever as holders
of the Underlying Debt Securities.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Under our Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"),
we are authorized to adopt resolutions providing for the issuance, in one or
more series, of up to 10,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value, with
such powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof adopted by the
Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. The following summary
of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and
is subject to, and are qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Designations relating to
such Preferred Stock.
The specific terms of any Preferred Stock proposed to be sold pursuant to
this prospectus and an attached prospectus supplement will be described in such
prospectus supplement.
If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered
Preferred Stock may differ from the terms set forth below.
GENERAL
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the
offered Preferred Stock, each series of Preferred Stock will rank on a parity as
to dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation and in all other
respects with all other Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock will, when issued,
be fully paid and nonassessable and holders thereof will have no preemptive
rights.
You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the Preferred Stock
offered thereby for specific terms, including:
(1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Stock.
(2) The number of shares of such Preferred Stock offered, the liquidation
preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred Stock.
(3) The dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of
calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Stock.
(4) The date from which dividends on such Preferred Stock shall accumulate,
if applicable.
(5) The liquidation rights of such Preferred Stock.
(6) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, of such
Preferred Stock.
(7) The sinking fund provisions, if any, for such Preferred Stock.
(8) The redemption provisions, if applicable, of such Preferred Stock.
(9) Whether such Preferred Stock will be convertible into or exchangeable
for other Securities and, if so, the terms and conditions of conversion
or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio and the
conversion or exchange period (or the method of determining the same).
(10) Whether such Preferred Stock will have voting rights and the terms
thereof, if any.
(11) Whether such Preferred Stock will be listed on any securities exchange.
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(12) Whether such Preferred Stock will be issued with any other Securities.
(13) Any other specific terms, preferences or rights of, or limitations or
restrictions on, such Preferred Stock.
Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and to any limitations contained
in outstanding Preferred Stock, the Capital Corporation may issue additional
series of Preferred Stock, at any time or from time to time, with such powers,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as the Board of Directors
or any duly authorized committee thereof may determine, all without further
action of the stockholders, including holders of then outstanding Preferred
Stock, of the Capital Corporation.
If applicable, the prospectus supplement will also set forth information
concerning any other Securities offered thereby and a discussion of the material
federal income tax considerations relevant thereto.
DIVIDENDS
Holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends, when,
as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of assets of the Capital
Corporation legally available for payment, at such rate and on such dates as
will be set forth in the prospectus supplement. Each dividend will be payable to
holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Capital Corporation
on the record date fixed by the Board of Directors. Dividends, if cumulative,
will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
The Capital Corporation may not (i) declare or pay dividends (except in
stock of the Capital Corporation junior as to dividends and liquidation rights
to the Preferred Stock (the "Junior Stock")) or make any other distributions on
any Junior Stock, or (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Junior Stock or
set aside funds for such purpose (except (A) in a reclassification or exchange
of Junior Stock through the issuance of other Junior Stock or (B) with the
proceeds of a reasonably contemporaneous sale of Junior Stock), if there are
arrearages in dividends or failure in the payment of the Capital Corporation's
sinking fund or redemption obligations on any of its Preferred Stock and, in the
case of (i) above, if dividends in full for the current quarterly dividend
period have not been paid or declared on any of its Preferred Stock.
Dividends in full may not be declared or paid or set apart for payment on
any series of Preferred Stock unless (i) there shall be no arrearages in
dividends for any past dividend periods on any series of Preferred Stock and
(ii) to the extent that such dividends are cumulative, dividends in full for the
current dividend period have been declared or paid on all Preferred Stock. Any
dividends declared or paid when dividends are not so declared, paid or set apart
in full will be shared ratably by the holders of all series of Preferred Stock
in proportion to such respective arrearages and undeclared and unpaid current
cumulative dividends. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be
payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments which may be in arrears.
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Capital Corporation, the holders of each series of the
Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets of the Capital
Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution
of assets is made to holders of any Junior Stock, liquidating distributions in
the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement plus all accrued
and unpaid dividends. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Capital Corporation, the amounts payable with
respect to the Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the holders of Preferred
Stock of each series
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will share ratably in such distribution of assets of the Capital Corporation in
proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are
entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to
which they are entitled, the holders of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled
to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Capital
Corporation. A consolidation or merger of the Capital Corporation with or into
any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Capital Corporation shall not be deemed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Capital Corporation.
REDEMPTION
If so provided in the prospectus supplement, the offered Preferred Stock
will be redeemable in whole or in part at the option of the Capital Corporation,
at the times and at the redemption prices set forth therein.
If dividends on any series of Preferred Stock are in arrears or the Capital
Corporation has failed to fulfill its sinking fund or redemption obligations
with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the Capital Corporation may not
purchase or redeem shares of Preferred Stock or any other capital stock ranking
on a parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor
permit any subsidiary to do so, without in either case the consent of the
holders of at least two-thirds of each series of Preferred Stock then
outstanding; provided, however, that (1) to meet its purchase, retirement or
sinking fund obligations with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the
Capital Corporation may use shares of such Preferred Stock acquired prior to
such arrearages or failure of payment and then held as treasury stock and (2)
the Capital Corporation may complete the purchase or redemption of shares of
Preferred Stock for which a contract was entered into for any purchase,
retirement or sinking fund purposes prior to such arrearages or failure of
payment.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as indicated below or in the prospectus supplement, or except as
expressly required by applicable law, the holders of the Preferred Stock will
not be entitled to vote. As used herein, the term "Applicable Preferred Stock"
means those series of Preferred Stock to which the provisions described herein
are expressly made applicable by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
Capital Corporation.
If the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on any share of any
series of Applicable Preferred Stock are in default (whether or not such
dividends have been declared or such defaulted dividends are consecutive), the
number of directors of the Capital Corporation will be increased by two and the
holders of all outstanding series of Applicable Preferred Stock (whether or not
dividends thereon are in default), voting as a single class without regard to
series, will be entitled to elect the two additional directors until four
consecutive quarterly dividends are paid or declared and set apart for payment,
if such share is non-cumulative, or until all arrearages in dividends and
dividends in full for the current quarterly period are paid or declared and set
apart for payment, if such share is cumulative, whereupon all voting rights
described herein shall be divested from the Applicable Preferred Stock. The
holders of Applicable Preferred Stock may exercise their special class voting
rights at meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or at
special meetings for the purpose of electing such directors, in either case at
which the holders of not less than one-third of the aggregate number of shares
of Applicable Preferred Stock are present in person or by proxy.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock will be required (i) for any
amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation that will adversely affect the
powers, preferences or rights of the holders of such Preferred Stock or (ii) to
create any class of stock (or increase the authorized number of shares of any
class of stock) that
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will have preference as to dividends or upon liquidation over such Preferred
Stock or create any stock or other security convertible into or exchangeable for
or evidencing the right to purchase any such stock.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the Offered Securities (a) through agents; (b) to or through
underwriters; or (c) directly to other purchasers. Any underwriters or agents
will be identified and their compensation described in a prospectus supplement.
We (directly or through agents) may sell, and the underwriters may resell,
the Offered Securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed,
or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of Offered Securities, the underwriters or
agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the Offered
Securities for whom they may act as agents. The underwriters may sell Offered
Securities to or through dealers, who may also receive compensation from
purchasers of the Offered Securities for whom they may act as agents.
Compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the
Offered Securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Act"), and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any
profit on the resale of the Offered Securities by them may be treated as
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Act.
We will indemnify the underwriters and agents against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses.
If so indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series
or issue of Offered Securities, the Capital Corporation will authorize
underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to
purchase such Offered Securities from the Capital Corporation pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date.
Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the
commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Securities will be passed upon for us by Shearman &
Sterling, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and for any
underwriters, dealers or agents by Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
the Capital Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
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