SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-20632
FIRST BANKS, INC.
-----------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MISSOURI 43-1175538
-------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) identification No.)
135 NORTH MERAMEC, CLAYTON, MISSOURI 63105
------------------------------------------
(address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(314) 854-4600
--------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes __X_ No ____
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Outstanding at
Class April 30, 1997
----- --------------
Common Stock, $250.00 par value 23,660.86
<PAGE>
First Banks, Inc.
INDEX
Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1997
and December 31, 1996 -1-
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 -3-
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 -4-
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -5-
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -8-
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K -15-
Signatures -16-
<PAGE>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
FIRST BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(dollars expressed in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
ASSETS 1997 1996
------ ---- ----
Cash and cash equivalents:
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and due from banks .......................................... $ 106,996 147,804
Interest-bearing deposits with other financial
institutions-with maturities of three months
or less ....................................................... 3,757 6,050
Federal funds sold ............................................... 105,800 74,100
------- -------
Total cash and cash equivalents ........................... 216,553 227,954
------- -------
Investment securities:
Available for sale, at fair value ................................ 559,823 532,605
Held to maturity, at amortized cost
(estimated fair value of $19,955
and $20,611 at March 31, 1997 and
December 31,1996, respectively)................................ 19,647 20,196
------- -------
Total investment securities ............................... 579,470 552,801
------- -------
Loans:
Commercial and industrial......................................... 506,096 457,186
Real estate construction and development ......................... 319,156 289,378
Real estate mortgage:
Residential.................................................... 1,030,748 1,059,769
Other.......................................................... 611,898 600,811
Consumer and installment ......................................... 320,322 341,154
Loans held for sale-residential mortgage ......................... 25,813 27,485
--------- ---------
Total loans ............................................... 2,814,033 2,775,783
Unearned discount ................................................ (8,042) (7,814)
Allowance for possible loan losses ............................... (47,523) (46,781)
--------- ---------
Net loans ................................................. 2,758,468 2,721,188
--------- ---------
Bank premises and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation ........................................ 47,640 48,078
Intangibles associated with the purchase
of subsidiaries ................................................. 23,675 23,303
Purchased mortgage servicing rights, net
of amortization ................................................. 9,740 10,230
Accrued interest receivable ......................................... 23,681 23,250
Other real estate owned ............................................. 10,013 10,607
Deferred income taxes ............................................... 47,215 43,406
Other assets ........................................................ 23,602 28,337
--------- ---------
Total assets .............................................. $3,740,057 3,689,154
========= =========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FIRST BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(dollars expressed in thousands, except per share data)
(continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1997 1996
---- ----
LIABILITIES
-----------
Deposits:
Demand:
<S> <C> <C>
Non-interest bearing ....................................... $ 389,218 418,193
Interest bearing ........................................... 331,311 337,618
Savings ....................................................... 676,672 671,286
Time:
Time deposits of $100 or more .............................. 181,888 169,057
Other time deposits ........................................ 1,699,027 1,642,413
--------- ---------
Total deposits ........................................ 3,278,116 3,238,567
Federal Home Loan Bank advances....................................... 23,026 39,277
Other borrowings...................................................... 44,944 30,705
Notes payable ........................................................ 10,213 76,330
Accrued interest payable ............................................. 9,429 10,288
Deferred income taxes ................................................ 10,507 6,194
Accrued and other liabilities ........................................ 17,067 23,521
Minority interest in subsidiaries..................................... 12,679 12,883
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in
First Banks' subordinated debentures, net of
issuance costs ................................................... 83,104 -
--------- ---------
Total liabilities ..................................... 3,489,085 3,437,765
--------- ---------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock:
Class C 9.00% increasing rate, redeemable, cumulative, $1.00
par value, $25.00 stated value; 5,000,000 shares authorized;
1,916,000 shares and 2,155,500 shares issued and outstanding
at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.......... 47,900 53,887
Class A, convertible, adjustable rate,
$20.00 par value; 750,000 shares
authorized; 641,082 shares issued
and outstanding .............................................. 12,822 12,822
Class B, adjustable rate, $1.50 par value;
200,000 shares authorized; 160,505 shares
issued and outstanding ....................................... 241 241
Common stock, $250.00 par value; 25,000 shares
authorized; 23,661 shares issued
and outstanding ................................................... 5,915 5,915
Capital surplus ...................................................... 3,109 3,289
Retained earnings .................................................... 177,740 171,182
Net fair value adjustment for securities
available for sale ................................................ 3,245 4,053
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity ................................. 250,972 251,389
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity ................................................... $ 3,740,057 3,689,154
========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE>
FIRST BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
(dollars expressed in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
---------
1997 1996
---- ----
Interest income:
<S> <C> <C>
Interest and fees on loans......................................... $ 60,224 58,514
Investment securities.............................................. 7,981 6,842
Federal funds sold and other....................................... 1,095 1,526
------ ------
Total interest income........................................ 69,300 66,882
------ ------
Interest expense:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand......................................... 1,405 1,286
Savings......................................................... 5,398 5,795
Time deposits of $100 or more................................... 2,272 2,534
Other time deposits............................................. 23,185 22,450
Federal Home Loan Bank advances..................................... 273 885
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase...................... 319 207
Interest rate exchange agreements, net ............................. 1,207 1,810
Notes payable and other ............................................ 697 1,584
Cumulative trust preferred securities............................... 1,258 -
------ ------
Total interest expense....................................... 36,014 36,551
------ ------
Net interest income.......................................... 33,286 30,331
Provision for possible loan losses..................................... 2,850 3,104
------ ------
Net interest income after provision for possible
loan losses................................................ 30,436 27,227
------ ------
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts and customer
service fees...................................................... 2,958 3,128
Credit card fees.................................................... 774 599
Loan servicing fees, net............................................ 422 400
Gain on mortgage loans sold and held for sale....................... 121 103
Gain on sale of securities, net..................................... - 116
Other income....................................................... 934 547
------ ------
Total noninterest income..................................... 5,209 4,893
------ ------
Noninterest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits...................................... 10,357 10,333
Occupancy, net of rental income..................................... 2,603 2,293
Furniture and equipment............................................. 2,165 1,876
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums...................... 22 902
Postage, printing and supplies...................................... 1,220 1,372
Data processing fees................................................ 1,128 1,209
Legal, examination and professional fees............................ 1,103 1,476
Credit card expenses................................................ 819 725
Communications...................................................... 689 645
Advertising......................................................... 648 536
Losses and expenses on foreclosed real estate,
net of gains...................................................... 113 350
Other expenses...................................................... 3,027 3,320
------ ------
Total noninterest expenses................................... 23,894 25,037
------ ------
Income before provision for income taxes and
minority interest in income of subsidiaries................. 11,751 7,083
Provision for income taxes............................................. 3,714 2,564
------ ------
Income before minority interest in income
of subsidiaries............................................. 8,037 4,519
Minority interest in income of subsidiaries............................ 201 82
------ ------
Net income................................................... 7,836 4,437
Preferred stock dividends.............................................. 1,279 1,434
------ -----
Net income available to common shareholders.................. $ 6,557 3,003
====== ======
Earnings per share:
Primary............................................................. $ 277.10 126.93
Fully Diluted....................................................... 266.65 125.52
====== ======
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding.................... 23,661 23,661
====== ======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE>
FIRST BANKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(dollars expressed in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
1997 1996
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S> <C> <C>
Net income............................................................... $ 7,836 4,437
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash:
Depreciation and amortization of bank premises
and equipment........................................................ 1,472 1,577
Amortization, net of accretion........................................ 740 1,310
Originations and purchases of loans held for sale..................... (20,196) (27,061)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale ........................... 19,324 25,156
Provision for possible loan losses.................................... 2,850 3,104
Provision for income taxes currently payable.......................... 3,714 2,564
Payments of income taxes.............................................. (3,000) (2,275)
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable ................... (431) 839
Interest accrued on liabilities....................................... 36,014 36,918
Payments of interest on liabilities................................... (36,873) (37,544)
Other, net............................................................ (2,527) (444)
Minority interest in income of subsidiaries........................... 201 82
------- -------
Net cash provided by operating activities......................... 9,124 8,663
------- -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash and cash equivalents received from
acquisitions.......................................................... 40,362 -
Other sales of investment securities.................................... - 42,621
Maturities of investment securities..................................... 126,920 108,797
Purchases of investment securities...................................... (154,434) (125,875)
Purchases of mortgage servicing rights.................................. (4) (25)
Net (increase) decrease in loans........................................ (43,079) 21,499
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off ............................. 2,633 1,127
Purchases of bank premises and equipment................................ (1,034) (884)
Other investing activities.............................................. 1,233 3,070
-------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities...................................................... (27,403) 50,330
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other increases (decreases) in deposits:
Demand and savings deposits........................................... (37,240) (13,066)
Time deposits......................................................... 36,426 (21,963)
Increase (decrease) in Federal funds purchased ......................... - 2,000
Increase (decrease) in Federal Home Loan Bank
advances.............................................................. (16,251) (40,257)
Increase (decrease) in other borrowings................................. 14,239 2,988
Increase (decrease) in notes payable.................................... (66,116) (7,590)
Purchase and retirement of Class C preferred
shares................................................................ (5,987) -
Proceeds from sale of cumulative preferred trust
securities, net of issuance costs..................................... 83,086 -
Payment of preferred stock dividends.................................... (1,279) (1,434)
-------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities ....................................................... 6,878 (79,322)
-------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents ................................................. (11,401) (20,329)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ............................. 227,954 199,213
-------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period.................................... $ 216,553 178,884
======== =========
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Loans transferred to foreclosed real estate............................. $ 1,084 2,244
Loans transferred to held for sale...................................... 2,234 -
======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FIRST BANKS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of First Banks, Inc.
and subsidiaries (First Banks) are unaudited and should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements contained in the 1996 annual report
on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of
normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation of the
results of operations for the interim periods presented herein, have been
included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim
period or for the year ending December 31, 1997.
First Banks' primary subsidiaries (Subsidiary Banks) are:
First Bank, headquartered in St. Louis County, Missouri
(First Bank Missouri)
First Bank, headquartered in O'Fallon, Illinois (First Bank
Illinois)
First Bank FSB, headquartered in St. Louis County, Missouri
(First Bank FSB)
First Banks America, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas (FBA)
CCB Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California (CCB)
First Commercial Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Sacramento,
California (FCB)
First Bank Missouri and First Bank Illinois are wholly owned banking
subsidiaries. First Bank FSB is a wholly owned thrift subsidiary. CCB, a wholly
owned bank holding company subsidiary, operates through First Bank & Trust,
headquartered in Santa Ana, California (FB&T). FBA, a majority-owned bank
holding company subsidiary, operates through two banking subsidiaries, BankTEXAS
N.A., headquartered in Houston, Texas (BTX) and Sunrise Bank of California,
headquartered in Roseville, California (Sunrise). FCB, a majority-owned bank
holding company subsidiary, operates through First Commercial Bank,
headquartered in Sacramento, California (First Commercial).
First Banks' ownership interest in FBA was 69.40% and 68.82% at March
31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively. First Banks' ownership interest in
FCB was 61.46% at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First
Banks, Inc. and its subsidiaries, net of minority interests. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain reclassifications of 1996 amounts have been made to conform with the
1997 presentation.
(2) Acquisitions
On March 27, 1997, First Banks completed its assumption of the deposits
and purchase of selected assets of the two Long Beach, California banking
locations of Highland Federal Bank, FSB. The purchase provided deposits of $40.4
million and will operate as branches of FB&T.
<PAGE>
(3) Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities of First Preferred Capital Trust
On February 4, 1997, First Preferred Capital Trust (First Capital), a
newly-formed Delaware business trust subsidiary of First Banks, issued 3.45
million shares of 9.25% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (Preferred
Securities) at $25 per share in an underwritten public offering and issued
106,702 shares of Common Securities to First Banks at $25 per share. First Banks
owns all of First Capital's Common Securities. The gross proceeds of the
offering were used by First Capital to purchase a $88,917,550, 9.25%
Subordinated Debentures (Subordinated Debentures) from First Banks. The
Subordinated Debentures are the sole asset of First Capital. In connection with
the issuance of the Preferred Securities, First Banks made certain guarantees
and commitments that, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional
guarantee by First Banks of the obligations of First Capital under the Preferred
Securities. First Banks' proceeds from the issuance of the Subordinated
Debenture to First Capital, net of underwriting fees and offering expenses, were
$83.1 million. Distributions payable on the Preferred Securities were $1.3
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and are recorded as interest
expense in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate
purposes, including the reduction of borrowings under a credit agreement with a
group of unaffiliated banks (Credit Agreement) and the repurchase of 284,000
shares of Class C Increasing Rate, Redeemable, Cumulative Preferred Stock (Class
C Preferred Stock) for $7.3 million. The remaining proceeds have been
temporarily invested.
(4) Regulatory Capital
The Subsidiary Banks are subject to various regulatory capital
requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies. Failure to
meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly
additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a
direct material effect on the Subsidiary Banks' financial statements. Under
capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
action, the Subsidiary Banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve
quantitative measures of the Subsidiary Banks' assets, liabilities, and certain
off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The
Subsidiary Banks' capital amounts and classification are also subject to
qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and
other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital
adequacy require the Subsidiary Banks to maintain certain minimum ratios. The
Subsidiary Banks are required to maintain a minimum risk-based capital to
risk-weighted assets ratio of 8.0%, with at least 4.0% being "Tier 1" capital
(as defined in the regulations). In addition, a minimum leverage ratio (Tier 1
capital to total assets) of 3.0% plus an additional cushion of 100 to 200 basis
points is expected. As of August 31, 1995, the date of the most recent
notification from First Banks' primary regulator, the Subsidiary Banks and
thrifts were categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for
prompt corrective action, except for BTX which was categorized as adequately
capitalized. There have been no conditions or events since that notification
that management believes have changed these Subsidiary Banks' and thrift
category, except for BTX, which management believes is now well capitalized.
Management believes, as of March 31, 1997, all of the Subsidiary Banks and
thrifts are well capitalized as defined by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Act.
At March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, First Banks' and the
Subsidiary Banks' capital ratios were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Risk based capital ratios
-----------------------------------------
Total Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
----- ------ --------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Banks 12.33% 9.23% 8.16% 7.92% 6.15% 5.99%
First Bank FSB 11.08 11.00 9.83 9.75 6.78 6.45
First Bank Missouri 10.02 10.47 8.77 9.21 7.36 7.25
First Bank Illinois 11.37 11.06 10.12 9.88 7.33 7.17
FB&T 16.05 16.45 14.78 15.18 10.47 11.43
BankTEXAS 11.01 10.29 9.75 9.04 7.92 7.53
Sunrise (1) 18.81 17.67 17.53 16.39 11.32 10.88
First Commercial 14.02 13.13 12.73 11.84 8.85 8.87
- ----------------
(1) Sunrise was acquired on November 1, 1996.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
First Banks is a registered bank holding company, incorporated in
Missouri in 1978 and headquartered in St. Louis County, Missouri. At March 31,
1997, First Banks had $ 3.7 billion in total assets; $2.8 billion in total
loans, net of unearned discount; $3.3 billion in total deposits; and $251.0
million in total stockholders' equity.
Through the Subsidiary Banks, First Banks offers a broad range of
commercial and personal banking services including certificate of deposit
accounts, individual retirement and other time deposit accounts, checking and
other demand deposit accounts, interest checking accounts, savings accounts and
money market accounts. Loans include commercial, financial, agricultural, real
estate construction and development, commercial and residential real estate and
consumer and installment loans. Other financial services include mortgage
banking, discount brokerage, credit-related insurance, automatic teller
machines, safe deposit boxes and trust services offered by certain Subsidiary
Banks.
The following table lists the Subsidiary Banks at March 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Loans, net
Percent of No. of of unearned Total
Subsidiary Banks ownership locations Total assets discounts deposits
- ---------------- --------- --------- ------------ --------- --------
(dollars expressed in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Bank FSB 100.00% 40 $ 1,024,383 854,452 905,220
First Bank Missouri 100.00% 31 839,135 673,812 745,759
First Bank Illinois 100.00% 27 836,666 633,807 764,705
CCB 100.00% 13 504,168 316,807 434,532
FBA 69.40% 8 373,887 234,237 313,843
FCB 61.46% 6 155,285 92,778 138,612
</TABLE>
Financial Condition
First Banks' total assets increased by $50 million to $3.74 billion
from $3.69 billion at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively. The
increase is primarily attributable to the increase in net loans of $37.3 million
and the increase of investment securities of $26.7 million, partially offset by
a reduction in cash and cash equivalents of $11.4 million. The composition of
the increase in net loans is discussed under "--Lending and Credit Management"
of this Form 10-Q.
Results of Operations
Net Income
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 1997 was $7.84 million,
compared to $4.44 million for the same period in 1996, an increase of 77%. This
represents a return on average stockholders' equity and return on average assets
ratios of 12.55% and .86% for the three months ended March 31, 1997, in
comparison to 7.54% and .50% for the same period in 1996. This further compares
to a return on average stockholders' equity and average assets for the year
ended December 31, 1996 of 8.43% and .57%, respectively. The improved earnings
are attributable to the increase in net interest income of $3.0 million and the
reduction in noninterest expense of $1.1 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997, compared to the same period in 1996.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income (expressed on a tax-equivalent basis) improved to
$33.5 million, or 3.93% of average interest earning assets, for the three months
ended March 31, 1997, from $30.4 million, or 3.64% of average interest earning
assets, for the same period in 1996.
The increased net interest income for 1997 is primarily attributable to
the increased yield on the loan portfolio to 8.68% from 8.58% for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. This improved yield on the
loan portfolio reflects the continual process of realigning the loan portfolio
from residential real estate loans to other types of loans, such as commercial
and construction loans.
This realignment of the loan portfolio combined with the gradual shift
in the composition of the investment securities portfolios, from mortgage-backed
securities to U.S. Treasury and generic U.S. government agencies securities,
resulted in a reduction of the overall interest rate risk of First Banks. This
reduction of the interest rate risk profile contributed to net interest income
by reducing the need for hedging the Company's position, and therefore its
associated cost, and by increasing the responsiveness of the Company to the
generally increasing interest rates which occurred during the first quarter of
1997. Accordingly, the cost of hedging decreased to $1.2 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997, from $2.4 million for the same period in 1996.
The following table sets forth, on a tax-equivalent basis, certain
information relating to First Banks' average balance sheet, and reflects the
average yield earned on interest-earning assets, the average cost of
interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting net interest income for the three
months ended March 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended March 31,
1997 1996
-------------------------- ----------------------------
Interest Interest
Average income/ Yield/ Average income/ Yield/
balance expense rate balance expense rate
------- ------- ---- ------- ------- ----
(dollars expressed in thousands)
Assets
------
Interest-earning assets:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Loans.......................................... $2,778,505 60,320 8.68% $ 2,723,406 58,410 8.58%
Investment securities.......................... 554,464 8,119 5.86 502,486 7,022 5.59
Federal funds sold and other................... 80,208 1,095 5.46 114,134 1,525 5.34
--------- ------- --------- ------
Total interest-earning assets............ 3,413,177 69,534 8.15 3,340,026 66,957 8.02
------- ------
Nonearning assets................................. 234,780 224,191
--------- ---------
Total assets............................. $3,647,957 $ 3,564,217
--------- =========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
------------------------------------
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits............... $ 333,941 1,405 1.68% $ 305,766 1,286 1.68%
Savings deposits............................... 682,041 5,398 3.17 690,643 5,795 3.36
Time deposits of $100 or more.................. 165,195 2,272 5.50 184,091 2,714 5.90
Other time deposits............................ 1,676,720 24,392 5.82 1,602,120 24,019 6.00
---------- ------- --------- ------
Total interest-bearing
deposits................................... 2,857,897 33,467 4.68 2,782,620 33,814 4.86
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, notes payable
and other...................................... 140,614 2,547 7.25 148,984 2,737 7.35
--------- ------ --------- ------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities......................... 2,998,511 36,014 4.80 2,931,604 36,551 4.99
------ ------
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits................................ 363,014 360,698
Other liabilities.............................. 36,617 36,618
--------- ---------
Total liabilities........................ 3,398,142 3,328,920
Stockholders' equity.............................. 249,815 235,297
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity................ $3,647,957 $ 3,564,217
========= =========
Net interest income...................... 33,520 30,406
====== ======
Net interest margin...................... 3.93% 3.64%
===== =====
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Provision for Possible Loan Losses
The provision for possible loan losses was $2.9 million compared to
$3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The slightly lower level of provision in 1997 reflects substantially decreased
net loan charge-offs in the period compared with the same period of 1996. Net
loan charge-offs were $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997, in
comparison to $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996.
Following various acquisitions during 1994 and 1995, First Banks
pursued aggressive problem loan work out procedures which included
conservatively re-valuing loans through charge-offs. While these adjustments
were anticipated prior to the acquisitions and adequate reserves for loan losses
had been established to provide for them, loan charge-offs began to increase
during 1996. However, as this work-out program progressed, loan charge-offs have
declined while recoveries of loans previously charged-off have significantly
increased.
Tables summarizing nonperforming assets, past due loans and charge-off
experience are presented under "--Lending and Credit Management" of this Form
10-Q.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income was $5.2 million for the three months ended March
31, 1997 in comparison to $4.9 million for the same period in 1996. Noninterest
income consists primarily of service charges on deposit accounts and other
non-yield customer service fees.
Service charges on deposit accounts and customer service fees decreased
to $2.96 million from $3.13 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively. The decrease is attributable to the development of First
Banks' "aggregate balance pricing structure" whereby customers maintaining
specified deposit balances, determined on an aggregate basis of any deposit
relationship with First Banks, may avoid certain service charges.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense decreased by $1.1 million to $23.9 million from
$25.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The decrease is attributable to cost savings realized upon the integration of
the entities acquired throughout 1994 and 1995 into existing systems and
cultures of First Banks and the decrease in Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC) premiums, partially offset by the additional noninterest
expense of Sunrise Bank acquired on November 1, 1996. Sunrise Bank's noninterest
expense was $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997.
FDIC premiums decreased to $22,000 from $902,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, as a result of the reduction in the
assessment rate charged on deposits insured by the Savings Association Insurance
Fund (SAIF) of the FDIC. The reduction in the assessment rate was effective upon
the recapitalization of the SAIF, accomplished by a one-time special deposit
insurance charge assessed to all financial institutions with deposits insured by
the SAIF. First Banks' one-time charge totaled $8.2 million and was reflected in
the operating results during the third quarter of 1996.
<PAGE>
Lending and Credit Management
Interest earned on the loan portfolio is the primary source of income
of First Banks. Total loans, net of unearned discount, represented 75.0% of
total assets as of March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996. Total loans, excluding
loans held for sale and net of unearned discount, increased by $40 million to
$2.78 billion at March 31, 1997 from $2.74 billion at December 31, 1996. The
increase reflects continued growth within corporate lending of $78.7 million,
offset by the decrease of the residential mortgage and consumer and installment
loan portfolios of $17.9 million and $20.8 million, respectively, at March 31,
1997 in comparison to December 31, 1996. These decreases are attributable to the
reductions of new loan origination volumes that are held for investment and the
continued repayment of principal on the existing portfolios.
The following is a summary of nonperforming assets by category:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1997 1996
---- ----
(dollars expressed in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 3,347 4,243
Real estate construction and development 382 817
Real estate mortgage 24,422 24,764
Consumer and installment 1,190 445
--------- ---------
Total nonperforming loans 29,341 30,269
Other real estate 10,013 10,607
--------- ---------
Total nonperforming assets $ 39,354 40,876
========= =========
Loans, net of unearned discount $ 2,805,991 2,767,969
========= =========
Loans past due 90 days or more
and still accruing $ 2,712 3,779
========= =========
Asset Quality Ratios:
Allowance for possible loan
losses to loans 1.69% 1.69%
Nonperforming loans to loans 1.05 1.09
Allowance for possible loan losses
to nonperforming loans 161.97 154.55
Nonperforming assets to loans and
other real estate 1.40 1.47
==== ====
</TABLE>
Impaired loans, consisting of nonaccrual loans, were $29.3 million and
$30.3 million at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.
The following is a summary of the loan loss experience for the three
months ended March 31:
1997 1996
---- ----
(dollars expressed
in thousands)
Allowance for possible loan losses,
beginning of period $ 46,781 52,665
Loans charged-off (4,741) (6,851)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off 2,633 1,127
------ ------
Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries (2,108) (5,724)
------ ------
Provision for possible loan losses 2,850 3,104
------ ------
Allowance for possible loan losses, end of period $ 47,523 50,045
====== ======
The allowance for possible loan losses is based on past loan loss
experience, on management's evaluation of the quality of the loans in the
portfolio and on the anticipated effect of national and local economic
conditions relative to the ability of loan customers to repay. Each quarter, the
allowance for possible loan losses is revised relative to First Banks' internal
watch list and other data utilized to determine its adequacy. The provision for
possible loan losses is management's estimate of the amount necessary to
maintain the allowance at a level consistent with this evaluation. As
adjustments to the allowance for possible loan losses are considered necessary,
they are reflected in the results of operations.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Derivative financial instruments held by First Banks for purposes of
managing interest rate risk are summarized as follows:
March 31, 1997 December 31,1996
-------------- ----------------
Notional Credit Notional Credit
amount exposure amount exposure
------- -------- ------ --------
(dollars expressed in thousands)
Interest rate swap agreements $70,000 - 70,000 -
Interest rate floor agreements 105,000 58 105,000 141
Interest rate cap agreements 10,000 403 10,000 335
Forward commitments to sell
mortgage-backed securities 37,000 533 35,000 308
The notional amounts of derivative financial instruments do not
represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, therefore, are not a measure of
First Banks' credit exposure through its use of derivative financial
instruments. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional
amounts and the other terms of the derivatives.
Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to extend the repricing
characteristics of certain interest-bearing liabilities to correspond more
closely with the assets of First Banks, with the objective of stabilizing net
interest income over time. The net interest expense for these agreements was
$1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997, in comparison to $1.8
million for the same period in 1996. The maturity dates, notional amounts,
interest rates paid and received, and fair values of interest rate swap
agreements outstanding as of the dates indicated are summarized as follows:
Notional Interest Rate Fair Value
--------------
Maturity date Amount Paid Received Gain (loss)
------------- ------ ---- -------- -----------
(dollars expressed in thousands)
March 31, 1997:
September 30, 1997 $ 35,000 7.04% 5.75% $ (240)
September 30, 1999 35,000 7.32 5.75 (660)
------ ----
$ 70,000 7.18 5.75 $ (900)
====== ==== ==== ====
December 31, 1996:
September 30, 1997 $ 35,000 7.04% 5.59% $ (417)
September 30, 1999 35,000 7.32 5.59 (1,160)
------ ------
$ 70,000 7.18 5.59 $(1,577)
====== ==== ==== ======
First Banks shortened the effective maturity of its interest-bearing
liabilities through the termination of interest rate swap agreements of $225
million during July 1995 and $75 million during November 1996 at a loss of $13.5
million and $5.3 million, respectively. These losses have been deferred and are
being amortized over the remaining lives of the swap agreements. At March 31,
1997 and December 31, 1996, the unamortized balance of these losses was $12.6
million and $13.4 million, respectively, and was included in other assets. The
amortization of the deferred loss included in interest expense was $755,000 for
the three month period ended March 31, 1997, in comparison to $923,000 for the
same time period in 1996.
<PAGE>
First Banks also has interest rate cap and floor agreements to limit
the interest expense associated with certain interest-bearing liabilities and
the net interest expense of certain interest rate swap agreements, respectively.
At March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, the unamortized costs for these
agreements were $396,000 and $433,000, respectively, and were included in other
assets. The net interest expense of the interest rate cap and floor agreements
was $37,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 in comparison to $72,000
for the same period in 1996. There are no amounts receivable under these
agreements.
Derivative financial instruments issued by First Banks consist of
commitments to originate fixed-rate loans. Commitments to originate fixed-rate
loans consist primarily of residential real estate loans. These loan
commitments, net of estimated underwriting fallout, and loans held for sale are
hedged with forward contracts to sell mortgage-backed securities.
Liquidity
The liquidity of First Banks and its Subsidiary Banks is the ability to
maintain a cash flow which is adequate to fund operations, service debt
obligations and meet other commitments on a timely basis. The primary sources of
funds for liquidity are derived from customer deposits, loan payments,
maturities, sales of investments and earnings.
In addition, First Banks and its Subsidiary Banks may avail themselves
of more volatile sources of funds through issuance of certificates of deposit in
denominations of $100,000 or more, federal funds borrowed, securities sold under
agreements to repurchase, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), and
other borrowings, including First Banks' $90 million credit agreement with a
group of unaffiliated financial institutions. The aggregate funds acquired from
those sources were $260.1 million at March 31, 1997 and $315.4 million at
December 31, 1996. The decrease is primarily attributable to the reduction in
notes payable from the proceeds received from the sale of the Preferred
Securities. See note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
At March 31, 1997, First Banks' more volatile sources of funds mature
as follows:
(dollars expressed
in thousands)
Three months or less $ 99,327
Over three months through six months 55,162
Over six months through twelve months 57,061
Over twelve months 48,521
--------
Total $ 260,071
=======
Management believes the future earnings of its Subsidiary Banks will be
sufficient to provide funds for growth and to permit the distribution of
dividends to First Banks sufficient to meet First Banks' operating and debt
service requirements both on a short-term and long-term basis and to pay the
dividends on the Class C Preferred Stock and the Preferred Securities.
Effects of New Accounting Standards
First Banks adopted the provisions of SFAS 125, Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities
(SFAS 125) prospectively on January 1, 1997. SFAS 125 established accounting and
<PAGE>
reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and
extinguishment of liabilities.
The standards established by SFAS 125 are based on consistent
applications of a financial-components approach that focuses on control. Under
that approach, after a transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes the
financial and servicing assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred,
derecognizes financial assets when control has been surrendered, and
derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. SFAS 125 provides consistent
standards for distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from
transfers that are secured borrowings.
The implementation of SFAS 125 did not have a material effect on the
consolidated financial position or results of operation of First Banks.
In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 128, Earnings Per Share (SFAS
128). SFAS 128 supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15, Earnings
Per Share (APB 15) and specifies the computation, presentation, and disclosure
requirements for earnings per share (EPS) for entities with publicly held common
stock or potential common stock. SFAS 128 was issued to simplify the computation
of EPS and to make the U.S. standard more compatible with the EPS standards of
other countries and that of the International Accounting Standards Committee. It
replaces the presentation of primary EPS with a presentation of basic EPS and
fully diluted EPS with diluted EPS. SFAS 128 also requires dual presentation of
basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income statement for all entities with
complex capital structures, and requires a reconciliation of the numerator and
denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the
diluted EPS computation.
Basic EPS, unlike primary EPS, excludes dilution and is computed by
dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential
dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock
were exercised and converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of
common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. Diluted EPS is
computed similarly to fully diluted EPS under APB 15.
SFAS 128 is effective for financial statements for both interim and
annual periods ending after December 15, 1997. Earlier application is not
permitted. After adoption, all prior-period EPS data presented shall be restated
to conform with SFAS 128.
First Banks does not believe the implementation of SFAS 128 will have
a material effect on its computation of earnings per share.
In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 129, Disclosure of Information
about Capital Structure (SFAS 129). SFAS 129 establishes standards for
disclosing information about an entity's capital structure. It applies to all
entities. SFAS 129 continues the previous requirements to disclose certain
information about an entity's capital structure found in APB 10, Omnibus
Opinion-1966, APB 15 and SFAS 47, Disclosure of Long-Term Obligations, for
entities that were subject to the requirements of those standards. SFAS 129
eliminates the exemption of nonpublic entities from certain disclosure
requirements of APB 15 as provided by SFAS 21, Suspension of the Reporting of
Earnings Per Share and Segment Information by Nonpublic Enterprises. It
supersedes specific disclosure requirements of APB 10, APB 15 and SFAS 47 and
<PAGE>
consolidates them in SFAS 129 for ease of retrieval and for greater visibility
to nonpublic entities.
SFAS 129 is effective for financial statements for periods ending after
December 15, 1997. It contains no change in disclosure requirements for entities
that were previously subject to the requirements of APB 10 and 15 and SFAS 47.
Part II- OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) These Exhibits are numbered in accordance with the Exhibit Table of Item
601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit
Number Description
4(a) Agreement As To Expenses and Liabilities
4(b) Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement
4(c) Indenture
4(d) Amended and Restated Trust Agreement
11 Calculations of Earnings per Share
27 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR only)
(b) First Banks, Inc. filed no reports on Form 8-K during the three month
period ended March 31, 1997.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
FIRST BANKS, INC.
Registrant
Date: May 13, 1997 By: /s/ James F. Dierberg
---------------------
James F. Dierberg
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 13, 1997 By: /s/ Allen H. Blake
-------------------
Allen H. Blake
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4(a)
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES (this "Agreement") dated as of
February 4, 1997, between FIRST BANKS, INC., a Missouri corporation ("First
Banks"), and FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST, a Delaware business trust (the
"Trust").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue its common securities (the "Common
Securities") to, and receive Debentures from, First Banks and to issue and sell
First Preferred Capital Trust 9.25% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (the
"Preferred Securities") with such powers, preferences and special rights and
restrictions as are set forth in the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust dated as of February 4, 1997, as the same may be amended from time to time
(the "Trust Agreement");
WHEREAS, First Banks shall directly or indirectly own all of the Common
Securities of the Trust and shall issue the Debentures;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each holder of the
Preferred Securities, which purchase First Banks hereby agrees shall benefit
First Banks and which purchase First Banks acknowledges shall be made in
reliance upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, First Banks,
including in its capacity as holder of the Common Securities, and the Trust
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.1. Guarantee by First Banks.
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, First Banks, including in
its capacity as holder of the Common Securities, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantees to each person or entity to whom the Trust is now or
hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the "Beneficiaries") the full payment when
and as due, of any and all Obligations (as hereinafter defined) to such
Beneficiaries. As used herein, "Obligations" means any costs, expenses or
liabilities of the Trust other than obligations of the Trust to pay to holders
of any Preferred Securities or other similar interests in the Trust the amounts
due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities or such other
similar interests, as the case may be. This Agreement is intended to be for the
benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not
such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.
Section 1.2. Term of Agreement.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect
upon the later of (a) the date on which full payment has been made of all
amounts payable to all holders of all the Preferred Securities (whether upon
redemption, liquidation, exchange or otherwise); and (b) the date on which there
are no Beneficiaries remaining; provided, however, that this Agreement shall
<PAGE>
continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time any holder of Preferred Securities or any Beneficiary must restore payment
of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities, under any obligation, under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement dated the date hereof by First Banks
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as guarantee trustee, or under this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing, irrevocable,
unconditional and absolute.
Section 1.3. Waiver of Notice.
First Banks hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement and of
any obligation to which it applies or may apply, and First Banks hereby waives
presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
Section 1.4. No Impairment.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of First Banks under
this Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the
happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the obligations;
(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the obligations or any
action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind; or
(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust.
There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or obtain
the consent of, First Banks with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
Section 1.5. Enforcement.
A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement directly against First Banks,
and First Banks waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought
against the Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding against First
Banks.
ARTICLE II
Section 2.1. Binding Effect.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind
the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of First Banks
and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
<PAGE>
Section 2.2. Amendment.
So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any Preferred Securities of
any series are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or amended in
any manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to the holders of the Preferred
Securities.
Section 2.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the same by facsimile
transmission (confirmed by mail), telex, or by registered or certified mail,
addressed as follows (and if so given, shall be deemed given when mailed or upon
receipt of an answer back, if sent by telex):
First Preferred Capital Trust
c/o First Banks, Inc.
11901 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
Facsimile No.: (314) 567-3490
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
First Banks, Inc.
11901 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
Facsimile No.: (314) 567-3490
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Section 2.4. This agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri (without regard
to conflict of laws principles).
THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST BANKS, INC.
By: /s/ Allen H. Blake
Name: Allen H. Blake
Title: Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST
By: /s/ Laurence J. Brost
Name: Laurence J. Brost
Title: Administrative Trustee
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4(b)
PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
by and between
FIRST BANKS, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
February 4, 1997
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
No.
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION........................ 1
Section 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation...................... 1
ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT 4
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application................... 4
Section 2.2. Lists of Holders of Securities..................... 4
Section 2.3. Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee......... 5
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to Preferred
Guarantee Trustee .............................................. 5
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent ..................................................... 5
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.......................... 5
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice........................... 5
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests.............................. 6
ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE ............................................. 6
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee............................................... 6
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee...... 7
Section 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance
of Guarantee.................................................... 9
ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE........................... 9
Section 4.1. Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility........... 9
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation
of Preferred Guarantee Trustees ................................ 9
ARTICLE V GUARANTEE............................................. 10
Section 5.1. Guarantee.......................................... 10
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand........................ 10
Section 5.3. Obligations not Affected........................... 11
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders.................................. 12
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment............................... 12
Section 5.6. Subrogation........................................ 12
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations............................ 12
ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS;
SUBORDINATION ...................................................... 12
Section 6.1. Limitation of Transactions......................... 12
Section 6.2 Ranking............................................. 13
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION........................................... 13
Section 7.1. Termination........................................ 13
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION....................................... 13
Section 8.1. Exculpation........................................ 13
Section 8.2. Indemnification.................................... 14
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS......................................... 14
Section 9.1. Successors and Assigns............................. 14
Section 9.2. Amendments......................................... 14
Section 9.3. Notices............................................ 14
Section 9.4. Benefit............................................ 15
Section 9.5. Governing Law...................................... 15
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
Section of Trust Section of
Indenture Act of Guarantee
1939, as amended Agreement
---------------- ---------
310(a) 4.1(a)
310(b) 4.1(c), 2.8
310(c) Not Applicable
311(a) 2.2(b)
311(b) 2.2(b)
311(c) Not Applicable
312(a) 2.2(a)
312(b) 2.2(b)
313 2.3
314(a) 2.4
314(b) Not Applicable
314(c) 2.5
314(d) Not Applicable
314(e) 1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f) 2.1, 3.2
315(a) 3.1(d)
315(b) 2.7
315(c) 3.1
315(d) 3.1(d)
316(a) 1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b) 5.3
317(a) 3.1
317(b) Not Applicable
318(a) 2.1(a)
318(b) 2.1
318(c) 2.1(b)
Note: This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
<PAGE>
PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this "Preferred
Securities Guarantee"), dated as of February 4, 1997, is executed and delivered
by FIRST BANKS, INC., a Missouri corporation (the "Guarantor"), and STATE STREET
BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a trust company organized and existing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee
Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time
of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of First Preferred Capital
Trust, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Trust").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the
"Trust Agreement"), dated as of February 4, 1997, among the trustees of the
Trust named therein, the Guarantor, as depositor, and the holders from time to
time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, the Trust is
issuing on the date hereof 3,450,000 preferred securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $86,250,000, designated the 9.25% Cumulative Trust
Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities");
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)
and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
Section 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation
In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee but
not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them
in this Section 1.1;
(b) terms defined in the Trust Agreement as at the date of execution of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee;
(c) a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee has
the same meaning throughout;
(d) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this
Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
<PAGE>
(e) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles
and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;
(f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and
(g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.
"Business Day" means any day other than a day on which federal or state
banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law,
executive order or regulation to close or a day on which the Corporate Trust
Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is closed for business.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the
date of execution of this Agreement is located at Two International Place, 4th
Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Department.
"Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred
Securities.
"Debentures" means the 9.25% Subordinated Debentures due March 31,
2027, of the Debenture Issuer held by the Property Trustee of the Trust.
"Debenture Issuer" means the Guarantor.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.
"Guarantor" means First Banks, Inc., a Missouri corporation.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by the Trust: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined
in the Trust Agreement) that are required to be paid on such Preferred
Securities, to the extent the Trust shall have funds available therefor, (ii)
the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date
of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), to the extent the Trust has funds
available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for
redemption by the Trust, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
winding-up or termination of the Trust (other than in connection with the
distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities
as provided in the Trust Agreement), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred
Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Trust shall have funds
available therefor (the "Liquidation Distribution"), and (b) the amount of
assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to Holders in
liquidation of the Trust.
<PAGE>
"Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records
of the Trust, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.
"Indemnified Person" means the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any
Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees,
custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of February 4, 1997, among the
Debenture Issuer and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee, and any
indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt
securities of the Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of
the Trust.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning provided therefor in the
definition of Guarantee Payments.
"Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities" means the
holders of more than 50% of the liquidation amount (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 of the Preferred Securities.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by two authorized officers of such Person. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust
Company, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and
<PAGE>
has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning provided therefor in the definition
of Guarantee Payments.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred
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 Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred
Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee
Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.
Section 2.2. Lists of Holders of Securities.
(a) In the event the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is not also the
Transfer Agent, the Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with
a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require,
of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of
Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day after January 1 and June 30
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
15 days before such List of Holders is given to the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The
Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to
it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
<PAGE>
(b) The Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee.
On or before July 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are
required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in
the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of
the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred 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.
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such
evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth
in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in
the form of an Officers' Certificate.
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.
The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities
may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive
any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event
of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom
shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of
Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice;
provided, that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the
interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.
(b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Trust Agreement shall
have obtained actual knowledge.
<PAGE>
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests.
The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee.
(a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities,
and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities
Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his
or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee
Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title
and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and
delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Preferred Guarantee
Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the
benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.
(c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event
of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into
this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred 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
Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such
of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee,
and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent
person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or
her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
construed to relieve the Preferred 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:
<PAGE>
(A) the duties and obligations of the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as
are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities
Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee,the Preferred 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
Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions
that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under
a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee;
(ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which
such judgment was made;
(iii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with
respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and
(iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
require the Preferred 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 Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment
of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and
shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;
(ii) any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by
this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate;
<PAGE>
(iii) whenever, in the administration of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable
that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any
action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is
herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt
of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor;
(iv) the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel,
and the written advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters
shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with
such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of
its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Preferred Guarantee
Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of
competent jurisdiction;
(vi) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this
Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless
such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such security
and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee,
against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the
expenses of the Preferred 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
Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section
3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and
powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee;
(vii) the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit;
(viii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Preferred
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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee or
its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the
signature of the Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so
act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this
<PAGE>
Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to
receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any
other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (i) may request
instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Preferred Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or
taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall
be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such
instructions.
(b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed
to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred 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
Preferred 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 Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
Section 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.
The Recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the
statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume
any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes
no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.
ARTICLE IV
PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be a Preferred Guarantee Trustee
which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the
laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision
or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority.
If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred
to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined
capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published.
<PAGE>
(b) If at any time the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee
Trustees.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance
with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by
such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.
(c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold
office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed
or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign
from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument
in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the
resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
(e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or
omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.
(f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal
or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2,
the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued
to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
Section 5.1. Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
<PAGE>
paid by the Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off
or counterclaim that the Trust may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to
make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Trust to pay such
amounts to the Holders.
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.
Section 5.3. Obligations not Affected.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Trust of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed
or observed by the Trust;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension
of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for
payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other
sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on
the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted
by the Indenture);
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities, or
any action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any
kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;
(f) any failure or omission to receive any regulatory approval or
consent required in connection with the Preferred Securities (or the common
equity securities issued by the Trust), including the failure to receive any
approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System required for
the redemption of the Preferred Securities;
<PAGE>
(g) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; 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 hereunder shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders.
(a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in
respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.
(b) Any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other Person.
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and
not of collection.
Section 5.6. Subrogation.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders
of Preferred Securities against the Trust in respect of any amounts paid to such
Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided,
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Preferred
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1. Limitation of Transactions.
So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall
have occurred an Event of Default under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, an
Event of Default under the Trust Agreement or during an Extended Interest
Payment Period (as defined in the Indenture), then (a) the Guarantor shall not
declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or
redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
its capital stock (other than (i) as a result of a reclassification of its
capital stock for another class of its capital stock, or (ii) the conversion of
the Guarantor's Class A Convertible, Adjustable Rate Preferred Stock to the
Guarantor's common stock, par value $250.00 per share) and (b) the Guarantor
shall not make any payment of interest or principal on or repay, repurchase or
redeem any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or
junior to the Debentures.
Section 6.2 Ranking.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most
senior preferred securities or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the
Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor
in respect of any preferred securities or preference stock of any Affiliate of
the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.1. Termination.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full
payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon full
payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon
liquidation of the Trust, or (iii) upon distribution of the Debentures to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Preferred Securities Guarantee shall continue to be effective or shall be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities
or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.
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,
<PAGE>
damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted
by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an
Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred
by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid.
Section 8.2. Indemnification.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to
hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability
in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall
survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1. Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.
Section 9.2. Amendments.
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be
required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the
prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Preferred Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement
with respect to meetings of Holders of the Preferred Securities apply to the
giving of such approval.
<PAGE>
Section 9.3. Notices.
All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:
(a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities):
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Two International Place, 4th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
(b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities):
First Banks, Inc.
135 North Meramec Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63105
Attention: Mr. James F. Dierberg
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address
set forth on the books and records of the Trust.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
Section 9.4. Benefit.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not
separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.
<PAGE>
Section 9.5. Governing Law.
THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
This Preferred Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year
first above written.
FIRST BANKS, INC.,
as Guarantor
By: /s/ Allen H. Blake
Name: Allen H. Blake
Title: Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as Preferred Guarantee Trustee
By: /s/ Paul D. Allen
Name: Paul D. Allen
Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4(c)
FIRST BANKS, INC.
AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
AS TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
9.25% SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE 2027
Dated as of February 4, 1997.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS............................................... 1
Section 1.1. Definitions of Terms ............................... 1
ARTICLE II. ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, CONDITIONS
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF THE DEBENTURES............................ 8
Section 2.1. Designation and Principal Amount ................... 8
Section 2.2. Maturity ........................................... 8
Section 2.3. Form and Payment ................................... 9
Section 2.4.[Intentionally Omitted]
Section 2.5. Interest ........................................... 9
Section 2.6. Execution and Authentications....................... 10
Section 2.7. Registration of Transfer and Exchange............... 11
Section 2.8. Temporary Debentures ............................... 12
Section 2.9. Mutilated, Destroyed,
Lost or Stolen Debentures..................................... 12
Section 2.10. Cancellation....................................... 13
Section 2.11. Benefit of Indenture............................... 13
Section 2.12. Authentication Agent............................... 13
ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES 14
Section 3.1. Redemption ......................................... 14
Section 3.2. Special Event Redemption ........................... 14
Section 3.3. Optional Redemption by Company ..................... 14
Section 3.4. Notice of Redemption ............................... 15
Section 3.5. Payment Upon Redemption............................. 16
Section 3.6. No Sinking Fund..................................... 16
ARTICLE IV. EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD................ 16
Section 4.1. Extension of Interest Payment Period ............... 16
Section 4.2. Notice of Extension................................. 17
Section 4.3. Limitation on Transactions ......................... 17
ARTICLE V. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY................. 18
Section 5.1. Payment of Principal and Interest................... 18
Section 5.2. Maintenance of Agency............................... 18
Section 5.3. Paying Agents....................................... 18
Section 5.4. Appointment to Fill Vacancy in
Office of Trustee............................................... 19
Section 5.5. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions............ 19
Section 5.6. Limitation on Transactions ......................... 19
Section 5.7. Covenants as to the Trust........................... 20
Section 5.8. Covenants as to Purchases........................... 20
ARTICLE VI. DEBENTUREHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE ........................................ 20
Section 6.1.Company to Furnish Trustee Names and
Addresses of Debentureholders ................................ 20
Section 6.2.Preservation of Information Communications
with Debentureholders ........................................ 21
Section 6.3.Reports by the Company .............................. 21
Section 6.4.Reports by the Trustee............................... 21
ARTICLE VII. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND
DEBENTUREHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT .................................. 22
Section 7.1.Events of Default.................................... 22
Section 7.2.Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for
Enforcement by Trustee ....................................... 23
Section 7.3.Application of Moneys Collected...................... 24
Section 7.4.Limitation on Suits.................................. 25
<PAGE>
Section 7.5.Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or
Omission not Waiver .......................................... 25
Section 7.6.Control by Debentureholders.......................... 26
Section 7.7.Undertaking to Pay Costs............................. 26
ARTICLE VIII.FORM OF DEBENTURE AND ORIGINAL ISSUE...................... 27
Section 8.1.Form of Debenture.................................... 27
Section 8.2.Original Issue of Debentures......................... 27
ARTICLE IX. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE............................... 27
Section 9.1.Certain Duties and Responsibilities Trustee.......... 27
Section 9.2.Notice of Defaults................................... 28
Section 9.3.Certain Rights of Trustee............................ 28
Section 9.4.Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, etc. .......... 29
Section 9.5.May Hold Debentures.................................. 30
Section 9.6.Moneys Held in Trust................................. 30
Section 9.7.Compensation and Reimbursement....................... 30
Section 9.8.Reliance on Officers' Certificate.................... 31
Section 9.9.Disqualification: Conflicting Interests............. 31
Section 9.10.Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility............. 31
Section 9.11.Resignation and Removal;
Appointment of Successor ..................................... 31
Section 9.12.Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.............. 32
Section 9.13.Merger, Conversion, Consolidation
or Succession to Business .................................... 33
Section 9.14.Preferential Collection of
Claims Against the Company ................................... 33
ARTICLE X. CONCERNING THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS...................... 33
Section 10.1.Evidence of Action by Holders....................... 33
Section 10.2.Proof of Execution by Debentureholders.............. 34
Section 10.3.Who May be Deemed Owners............................ 34
Section 10.4.Certain Debentures Owned
by Company Disregarded........................................ 34
Section 10.5.Actions Binding on Future Debentureholders.......... 35
ARTICLE XI. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.............................. 35
Section 11.1.Supplemental Indentures Without the
Consent of Debentureholders .................................... 35
Section 11.2.Supplemental Indentures with
Consent of Debentureholders ................................... 36
Section 11.3.Effect of Supplemental Indentures................... 36
Section 11.4.Debentures Affected by Supplemental
Indentures...................................................... 37
Section 11.5.Execution of Supplemental Indentures................ 37
ARTICLE XII.SUCCESSOR CORPORATION...................................... 37
Section 12.1.Company May Consolidate, etc. ...................... 37
Section 12.2.Successor Corporation Substituted .................. 38
Section 12.3.Evidence of Consolidation, etc. to Trustee.......... 38
ARTICLE XIII.SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE................................ 38
Section 13.1.Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture ............ 38
Section 13.2.Discharge of Obligations............................ 39
Section 13.3.Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust................ 39
Section 13.4.Payment of Monies Held by Paying Agents ............ 39
Section 13.5.Repayment to Company................................ 40
ARTICLE XIV.IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS,
STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS .................................. 40
Section 14.1.No Recourse ........................................ 40
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS............................. 40
Section 15.1.Effect on Successors and Assigns.................... 40
Section 15.2.Actions by Successor................................ 41
Section 15.3.Surrender of Company Powers......................... 41
Section 15.4.Notices............................................. 41
Section 15.5.Governing Law....................................... 41
Section 15.6.Treatment of Debentures as Debt..................... 41
Section 15.7.Compliance Certificates and Opinions................ 41
Section 15.8.Payments on Business Days........................... 42
Section 15.9.Conflict with Trust Indenture Act................... 42
Section 15.10.Counterparts....................................... 42
Section 15.11.Separability ...................................... 42
Section 15.12.Assignment......................................... 42
Section 15.13.Acknowledgment of Rights........................... 42
ARTICLE XVI.SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES................................ 43
Section 16.1.Agreement to Subordinate............................ 43
Section 16.2.Default on Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or
Additional Senior Obligations ................................ 43
Section 16.3.Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy................ 43
Section 16.4.Subrogation......................................... 44
Section 16.5.Trustee to Effectuate Subordination................. 45
Section 16.6.Notice by the Company............................... 45
Section 16.7.Rights of the Trustee; Holders of
Senior Indebtedness ............................................ 46
Section 16.8.Subordination may not be Impaired .................. 47
<PAGE>
Exhibit A-6
INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of February 4, 1997, between FIRST BANKS, INC., a
Missouri corporation (the "Company") and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a
trust company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, as trustee (the "Trustee");
RECITALS
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly
authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the
issuance of securities to be known as its 9.25% Subordinated Debentures due 2027
(hereinafter referred to as the "Debentures"), the form and substance of such
Debentures and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as
provided in this Indenture;
WHEREAS, First Preferred Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory business
trust (the "Trust"), has offered to the public $86,250,000 million aggregate
liquidation amount of its Preferred Securities (as defined herein) and proposes
to invest the proceeds from such offering, together with the proceeds of the
issuance and sale by the Trust to the Company of $2,667,550 million aggregate
liquidation amount of its Common Securities (as defined herein), in $88,917,550
million aggregate principal amount of the Debentures; and
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver
this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all requirements necessary to make this Indenture a valid
instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Debentures, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the
valid obligations of the Company, have been performed, and the execution and
delivery of this Indenture have been duly authorized in all respects:
<PAGE>
WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Debentures
are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized
the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement
of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of
the Debentures by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as
follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions of Terms.
The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as in this Indenture
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all
purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have
the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1 and shall include the
plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are
defined in the Trust Indenture Act, or that are by reference in the Trust
Indenture Act defined in the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities
Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument. All accounting
terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
"Accelerated Maturity Date" means if the Company elects to accelerate
the Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.2(c), the date selected by the
Company which is prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date, but is after March 31,
2002.
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
<PAGE>
"Additional Senior Obligations" means all indebtedness of the Company
whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, for claims in respect of derivative products such as interest and
foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements;
provided, however, that Additional Senior Obligations does not include claims in
respect of Senior Debt or Subordinated Debt or obligations which, by their
terms, are expressly stated to be not superior in right of payment to the
Debentures or to rank pari passu in right of payment with the Debentures. For
purposes of this definition, "claim" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 101(4) of the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended.
"Administrative Trustees" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Trust Agreement.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person; (b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting
securities or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned,
controlled or held with power to vote by the specified Person; (c) any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the specified Person; (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a
general partner; (e) any officer or director of the specified Person; and (f) if
the specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person
is an officer, director or general partner.
"Authenticating Agent" means an authenticating agent with respect to
the Debentures appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.12.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
duly authorized committee of such Board.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification.
"Business Day" means, with respect to the Debentures, any day other
than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which federal or state banking
institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, are authorized
or required by law, executive order or regulation to close, or a day on which
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or the Property Trustee is closed for
business.
"Certificate" means a certificate signed by the principal executive
officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the
treasurer or any vice president of the Company. The Certificate need not comply
with the provisions of Section 15.7.
"Change in 1940 Act Law" shall have the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Investment Company Event."
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>
"Common Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the Trust which rank pari passu with the Preferred Securities; provided,
however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights of holders
of Common Securities to payment in respect of (i) distributions, and (ii)
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the
rights of holders of Preferred Securities.
"Company" means First Banks, Inc., a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Missouri, and, subject to the provisions
of Article XII, shall also include its successors and assigns.
"Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which, at
any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Two International
Place, 4th Floor, Boston Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust
Department.
"Coupon Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Debentures" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
"Debentureholder," "holder of Debentures," "registered holder," or
other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a
particular Debenture shall be registered on the books of the Company or the
Trustee kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
"Debenture Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(b).
"Debt" means with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or
a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; and (vi) and every
obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of another Person
and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such
Person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as
obligor or otherwise.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
<PAGE>
"Dissolution Event" means that as a result of the occurrence and
continuation of a Special Event, the Trust is to be dissolved in accordance with
the Trust Agreement and the Debentures held by the Property Trustee are to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust pro rata
in accordance with the Trust Agreement.
"Event of Default" means, with respect to the Debentures, any event
specified in Section 7.1, which has continued for the period of time, if any,
and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.
"Exchange Act," means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1.
"Extended Maturity Date" means if the Company elects to extend the
Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.2(b), the date selected by the
Company which is after the Scheduled Maturity Date but before March 31, 2046.
"Federal Reserve" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
"Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" means such accounting
principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation required
hereunder.
"Governmental Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged; or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not
callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of
the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental
Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such
Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law)
such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable
to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of
principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such
depositary receipt.
"Herein," "hereof," and "hereunder," and other words of similar import,
refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
other subdivision.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any installment of
interest on the Debentures, means the date specified in the Debenture or in a
Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to the
<PAGE>
Debentures as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to
the Debentures is due and payable.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion
of Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national tax and
securities law practice, to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a
change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law
or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), the Trust is or shall be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date
of original issuance of the Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement.
"Maturity Date" means the date on which the Debentures mature and on
which the principal shall be due and payable together with all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest,
if any.
"Ministerial Action" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or
a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the
Controller or an Assistant Controller or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms
hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in
Section 15.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing of legal counsel, who
may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the
Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the
statements provided for in Section 15.7, if and to the extent required by the
provisions thereof.
"Outstanding," when used with reference to the Debentures, means,
subject to the provisions of Section 10.4, as of any particular time, all
Debentures theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this
Indenture, except (a) Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any
paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation
or that have previously been canceled; (b) Debentures or portions thereof for
the payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the
necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any
paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and
segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying
agent); provided, however, that if such Debentures or portions of such
Debentures are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such
redemption shall have been given as in Article III provided, or provision
satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c)
Debentures in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have
been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7.
<PAGE>
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint-venture,
joint-stock company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Predecessor Debenture" means every previous Debenture evidencing all
or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture;
and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and
delivered under Section 2.9 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture
shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen
Debenture.
"Preferred Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the
Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
rights of holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions
and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the
rights of holders of Preferred Securities.
"Preferred Securities Guarantee" means any guarantee that the Company
may enter into with the Trustee or other Persons that operate directly or
indirectly for the benefit of holders of Preferred Securities.
"Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in the Trust Agreement.
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee means the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the
Secretary, the Treasurer, any trust officer, any corporate trust officer or any
other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be
such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred
because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Scheduled Maturity Date" means March 31, 2027.
"Securities Act," means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in
effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or
not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on
Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant
to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not
superior in right of payment to the Debentures or to other Debt which is pari
passu with, or subordinated to, the Debentures; provided, however, that Senior
Debt shall not be deemed to include (i) any Debt of the Company which when
incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the United
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to the Company;
(ii) any Debt of the Company to any of its subsidiaries; (iii) Debt to any
employee of the Company; (iv) Debt which by its terms is subordinated to trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business to the extent that payments made to the holders of such Debt by the
holders of the Debentures as a result of the subordination provisions of this
<PAGE>
Indenture would be greater than they otherwise would have been as a result of
any obligation of such holders to pay amounts over to the obligees on such trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business as a result of subordination provisions to which such Debt is subject;
and (v) Debt which constitutes Subordinated Debt.
"Senior Indebtedness" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.2.
"Special Event" means a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.
"Subordinated Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or
not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on
Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, which is by its terms expressly provided to be junior and subordinate
to other Debt of the Company (other than the Debentures).
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at
least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or
by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any general
partnership, joint venture, trust or similar entity, at least a majority of
whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by
such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or
more of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person
or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion of Counsel,
rendered by a law firm having a recognized national tax and securities practice,
to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after
the date of issuance of the Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement,
there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or shall be
within 90 days after the date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to United
States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the
Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or
within 90 days after the date of such Opinion of Counsel, shall not be,
deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income
tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or shall be within 90 days after the date
of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges. The Trust or the
Company shall request and receive such Opinion of Counsel with regard to such
matters within a reasonable period of time after the Trust or the Company shall
have become aware of any of the events described in clauses (i) through (iii)
above.
"Trust" means First Preferred Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory
business trust.
"Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated
February 4, 1997, of the Trust.
<PAGE>
"Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company and, subject to the
provisions of Article IX, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if
at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder,
"Trustee" shall mean each such Person.
"Trust Indenture Act," means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.1, 11.2, and 12.1, as in
effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and Preferred
Securities, collectively.
"Voting Stock," as applied to stock of any Person, means shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however
designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a
majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason
of the occurrence of a contingency.
ARTICLE II.
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, CONDITIONS
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF THE DEBENTURES
Section 2.1. Designation and Principal Amount.
There is hereby authorized Debentures designated the "9.25%
Subordinated Debentures due 2027," limited in aggregate principal amount to
$88,917,550 million, which amount shall be as set forth in any written order of
the Company for the authentication and delivery of Debentures pursuant to
Section 2.6.
Section 2.2. Maturity.
(a) The Maturity Date shall be either:
(i) the Scheduled Maturity Date; or
(ii) if the Company elects to extend the Maturity Date
beyond the Scheduled Maturity Date in accordance with
Section 2.2(b), the Extended Maturity Date; or
(iii) if the Company elects to accelerate the Maturity Date
to be a date prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date in
accordance with Section 2.2(c), the Accelerated
Maturity Date.
(b) the Company may at any time before the day which is 90 days
before the Scheduled Maturity Date, elect to extend the
Maturity Date to the Extended Maturity Date, provided that the
Company has received the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve and further provided that the
following conditions in this Section 2.2(b) are satisfied both
at the date the Company gives notice in accordance with
Section 2.2(d) of its election to extend the Maturity Date and
at the Scheduled Maturity Date:
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(i) the Company is not in bankruptcy, otherwise insolvent
or in liquidation;
(ii) the Company is not in default in the payment of
interest or principal on the Debentures;
(iii) the Trust is not in arrears on payments of
Distributions on the Trust Securities issued by it
and no deferred Distributions are accumulated; and
(iv) the Company has a rating on its Senior Debt of
investment grade.
(c) the Company may at any time before the day which is 90 days
before the Scheduled Maturity Date and after March 31, 2002,
elect to shorten the Maturity Date only once to the
Accelerated Maturity Date provided that the Company has
received the prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of
the Federal Reserve.
(d) if the Company elects to extend the Maturity Date in
accordance with Section 2.2(b), the Company shall give notice
to the registered holders of the Debentures, the Property
Trustee and the Trust of the extension of the Maturity Date
and the Extended Maturity Date at least 90 days and no more
than 180 days before the Scheduled Maturity Date.
(e) if the Company elects to accelerate the Maturity Date in
accordance with Section 2.2(c), the Company shall give notice
to the registered holders of the Debentures, the Property
Trustee and the Trust of the extension of the Maturity Date
and the Accelerated Maturity Date at least 90 days and no more
than 180 days before the Accelerated Maturity Date.
Section 2.3. Form and.
The Debentures shall be issued in fully registered certificated form
without interest coupons. Principal and interest on the Debentures issued in
certificated form shall be payable, the transfer of such Debentures shall be
registrable and such Debentures shall be exchangeable for Debentures bearing
identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee; provided,
however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture
Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the holder as specified
in the Debenture Register, provided that the holder provides proper transfer
instructions by the regular record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long
as the holder of any Debentures is the Property Trustee, the payment of the
principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Interest, if any) on such Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made
at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Property Trustee.
Section 2.4. [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 2.5. Interest.
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(a) Each Debenture shall bear interest at the rate of 9.25% per annum
(the "Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance until the principal
thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded quarterly,
payable (subject to the provisions of Article IV) quarterly in arrears on March
31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, an "Interest
Payment Date," commencing on March 31, 1997), to the Person in whose name such
Debenture or any Predecessor Debenture is registered, at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be the
fifteenth day of the last month of the calendar quarter.
(b) The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest
payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which interest
is computed shall be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on the Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of
interest payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day which is
a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was
originally payable.
(c) If, at any time while the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Debentures, the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay any taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than
withholding taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority,
then, in any case, the Company shall pay as additional interest ("Additional
Interest") on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, such additional
amounts as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by
the Trust and the Property Trustee after paying such taxes, duties, assessments
or other governmental charges shall be equal to the amounts the Trust and the
Property Trustee would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments or
other government charges been imposed.
Section 2.6. Execution and Authentications.
(a) The Debentures shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its
Chief Executive Officer, President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its
corporate seal attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries.
Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature. The Company
may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been a Chief
Executive Officer, President or Vice President thereof, or of any Person who
shall have been a Secretary or Assistant Secretary thereof, notwithstanding the
fact that at the time the Debentures shall be authenticated and delivered or
disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer,
President or a Vice President, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of
the Company. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile of such
seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the
Debentures. The Debentures may contain such notations, legends or endorsements
required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Debenture shall be dated the
date of its authentication by the Trustee.
(b) A Debenture shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an
authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has
<PAGE>
been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture.
(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debentures executed by the Company to
the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for
the authentication and delivery of such Debentures signed by its Chief Executive
Officer, President or any Vice President and its Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall
authenticate and deliver such Debentures.
(d) In authenticating such Debentures and accepting the additional
responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 9.1) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and
terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture.
(e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Debentures
if the issue of such Debentures pursuant to this Indenture shall affect the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Debentures and this
Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.
Section 2.7. Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Debentures may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office
or agency of the Company designated for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, or at the office of the Debenture Registrar,
for other Debentures and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of
a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation
thereto, all as provided in this Section 2.7. In respect of any Debentures so
surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall
authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the
Debenture or Debentures that the Debentureholder making the exchange shall be
entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or
agency designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, or at the office of the Debenture Registrar, or such other location
designated by the Company a register or registers (herein referred to as the
"Debenture Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, the Company shall register the Debentures and the transfers of
Debentures as in this Article II provided and which at all reasonable times
shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of
registering Debentures and transfer of Debentures as herein provided shall
initially be the Trustee and thereafter as may be appointed by the Company as
authorized by Board Resolution (the "Debenture Registrar"). Upon surrender for
transfer of any Debenture at the office or agency of the Company designated for
such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such
office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a
new Debenture or Debentures for a like aggregate principal amount. All
Debentures presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as
provided in this Section 2.7, shall be accompanied (if so required by the
Company or the Debenture Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of
<PAGE>
transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Debenture Registrar, duly
executed by the registered holder or by such holder's duly authorized attorney
in writing.
(c) No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of
transfer of Debentures, or issue of new Debentures in case of partial
redemption, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges
pursuant to Section 2.8, the second paragraph of Section 3.5 and Section 11.4
not involving any transfer.
(d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or
register the transfer of any Debentures during a period beginning at the opening
of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
less than all the Outstanding Debentures and ending at the close of business on
the day of such mailing; nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any
Debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.
Section 2.8. Temporary Debentures.
Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debentures
(printed, lithographed, or typewritten). Such temporary Debentures shall be
substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are
issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate
for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the Company. Every
temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the
Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with
like effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unnecessary delay the Company
shall execute and shall furnish definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all
temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to
the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such
temporary Debentures an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
Debentures, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive
Debentures need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the
Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall be entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and
delivered hereunder.
Section 2.9. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures.
(a) In case any temporary or definitive Debenture shall become
mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next
succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company's request the Trustee
(subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a
number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the
mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so
destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted
Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in
every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to
the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of the applicant's Debenture and of the ownership thereof. The
Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same
upon the written request or authorization of the Chairman, President or any
<PAGE>
Vice-President and the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Upon
the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and
expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. In case any Debenture that has
matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or
stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or
authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case
of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the
Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save
them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the
satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of
such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
(b) Every replacement Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 2.9 shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the
Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall
be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all
the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned
upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with
respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Debentures, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights
or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to
the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable
instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.10. Cancellation.
All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption,
exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any
paying agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered
to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in
lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions
of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the
Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Debentures held by the Trustee. In
the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Debentures in
accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition
to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Debentures,
however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of
the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.11. Benefit of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debentures, express or implied,
shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto
and the holders of the Debentures (and, with respect to the provisions of
Article XVI, the holders of Senior Indebtedness) any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant,
condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and
provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders
of the Debentures (and, with respect to the provisions of Article XVI, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness).
<PAGE>
Section 2.12. Authentication Agent.
(a) So long as any of the Debentures remain Outstanding there may be an
Authenticating Agent for any or all such Debentures, which the Trustee shall
have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act
on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Debentures issued upon exchange,
transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Debentures so authenticated shall be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for
all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in
this Indenture to the authentication of Debentures by the Trustee shall be
deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating
Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a
combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it,
sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in
which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise
authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these
provisions, it shall resign immediately.
(b) Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any
Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or
cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an
eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor
Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become
vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if
originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.
ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES
Section 3.1. Redemption.
Subject to the Company having received prior approval of the Federal
Reserve, if then required under the applicable capital guidelines or policies of
the Federal Reserve, the Company may redeem the Debentures issued hereunder on
and after the dates set forth in and in accordance with the terms of this
Article III.
Section 3.2. Special Event Redemption.
Subject to the Company having received the prior approval of the
Federal Reserve, if then required under the applicable capital guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve, if a Special Event has occurred and is
continuing, then, notwithstanding Section 3.3(a) but subject to Section 3.3(b),
the Company shall have the right upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60
days notice to the holders of the Debentures to redeem the Debentures, in whole
but not in part, for cash within 180 days following the occurrence of such
Special Event (the "180-Day Period") at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
<PAGE>
the date of such redemption (the "Redemption Price"), provided that if at the
time there is available to the Company the opportunity to eliminate, within the
180-Day Period, a Tax Event by taking some ministerial action (a "Ministerial
Action"), such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other
similar reasonable measure which has no adverse effect on the Company, the Trust
or the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust, the Company shall
pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption, and, provided further,
that the Company shall have no right to redeem the Debentures while the Trust is
pursuing any Ministerial Action pursuant to its obligations under the Trust
Agreement. The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York
time, on the date of such redemption or such earlier time as the Company
determines, provided that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date
such Redemption Price is to be paid.
Section 3.3. Optional Redemption by Company.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3(b), except as otherwise
may be specified in this Indenture, the Company shall have the right to redeem
the Debentures, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after March 31,
2002, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed
plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such redemption. Any
redemption pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) shall be made upon not less than 30
days nor more than 60 days notice to the holder of the Debentures, at the
Redemption Price. If the Debentures are only partially redeemed pursuant to this
Section 3.3, the Debentures shall be redeemed pro rata or by lot or in such
other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion.
The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the
date of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company determines
provided that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to
pay the Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such
Redemption Price is to be paid.
(b) If a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the
delisting of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust from The Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market or any national securities exchange or other
organization on which the Preferred Securities are then listed, the Company
shall not be permitted to effect such partial redemption and may only redeem the
Debentures in whole.
Section 3.4. Notice of Redemption.
(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem
all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Debentures in accordance with the
right reserved so to do, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to upon
receipt of 45 days' written notice from the Company (which notice shall, in the
event of a partial redemption, include a representation to the effect that such
partial redemption shall not result in the delisting of the Preferred Securities
as described in Section 3.3(b) above), give notice of such redemption to holders
of the Debentures to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a
notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before
the date fixed for redemption to such holders at their last addresses as they
shall appear upon the Debenture Register unless a shorter period is specified in
the Debentures to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give
such notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption in whole or
<PAGE>
in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other Debentures. In the case of any
redemption of Debentures prior to the expiration of any restriction on such
redemption provided in the terms of such Debentures or elsewhere in this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
evidencing compliance with any such restriction. Each such notice of redemption
shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the Redemption Price and shall
state that payment of the Redemption Price shall be made at the office or agency
of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or at the
Corporate Trust Office, upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that
interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption shall be paid as specified in
said notice and that from and after said date interest shall cease to accrue. If
less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of
the Debentures shall specify the particular Debentures to be redeemed. If the
Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice shall state the portion
of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after
the redemption date, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or
Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be
issued.
(b) If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company
shall give the Trustee at least 45 days' notice in advance of the date fixed for
redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed,
and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as it
shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion, the portion or portions
(equal to $25 or any integral multiple thereof) of the Debentures to be redeemed
and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of
the Debentures to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and
whenever it shall so elect pursuant to the terms hereof, by delivery of
instructions signed on its behalf by its President or any Vice President,
instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the
Debentures for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set
forth in this Section 3.4, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its
own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in
which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying
agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to
remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such
Debenture Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or
extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to
give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this
Section 3.4.
Section 3.5. Payment Upon Redemption.
(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as
above provided, the Debentures or portions of Debentures to be redeemed
specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the
place stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, and interest on
such Debentures or portions of Debentures shall cease to accrue on and after the
date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of
such Redemption Price with respect to any such Debenture or portion thereof. On
presentation and surrender of such Debentures on or after the date fixed for
<PAGE>
redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Debentures
shall be paid and redeemed at the Redemption Price (but if the date fixed for
redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such
date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the
applicable record date pursuant to Section 3.3).
(b) Upon presentation of any Debenture that is to be redeemed in part
only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the
office or agency where the Debenture is presented shall deliver to the holder
thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture of authorized
denomination in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
Debenture so presented.
Section 3.6. No Sinking Fund.
The Debentures are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
ARTICLE IV.
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
Section 4.1. 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 Debentures, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period of such Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive
quarters (the "Extended Interest Payment Period"), during which Extended
Interest Payment Period no interest shall be due and payable; provided that no
Extended Interest Payment Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Interest,
the payment of which has been deferred because of the extension of the interest
payment period pursuant to this Section 4.1, shall bear interest thereon at the
Coupon Rate compounded quarterly for each quarter of the Extended Interest
Payment Period ("Compounded Interest"). At the end of the Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company shall calculate (and deliver such calculation to the
Trustee) and pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the Debentures, including
any Additional Interest and Compounded Interest (together, "Deferred Interest")
that shall be payable to the holders of the Debentures in whose names the
Debentures are registered in the Debenture Register on the first record date
after the end of the Extended Interest Payment Period. Before the termination of
any Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may further extend such
period, provided that such period together with all such further extensions
thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarters, or extend beyond the Maturity
Date of the Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extended Interest Payment
Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the Company may
commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing
requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest
Payment Period, except at the end thereof, but the Company may prepay at any
time all or any portion of the interest accrued during an Extended Interest
Payment Period.
Section 4.2. Notice of Extension.
(a) If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the
Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period,
the Company shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Trustee of its selection of such Extended Interest
<PAGE>
Payment Period two Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding
date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities issued by the Trust are
payable; or (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the record
date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders
of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust, but in any event at least one
Business Day before such record date.
(b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Debentures at
the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
shall give the holders of the Debentures and the Trustee written notice of its
selection of such Extended Interest Payment Period at least two Business Days
before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date; or (ii) the
date the Company is required to give notice of the record or payment date of
such interest payment to The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or other
applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the Debentures.
(c) The quarter in which any notice is given pursuant to paragraphs (a)
or (b) of this Section 4.2 shall be counted as one of the 20 quarters permitted
in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period permitted under Section 4.1.
Section 4.3. Limitation on Transactions.
If (i) the Company shall exercise its right to defer payment of
interest as provided in Section 4.1; or (ii) there shall have occurred any Event
of Default, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make
any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) as
a result of a reclassification of its capital stock for another class of its
capital stock; or (ii) the conversion of the Company's Class A Convertible,
Adjustable Rate Preferred Stock to the Company's common stock, par value $250.00
per share); (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by
the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing the Company may make payments
pursuant to its obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (c)
the Company shall not redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the
outstanding Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE V.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 5.1. Payment of Principal and Interest.
The Company shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal of and interest on the Debentures at the time and place and in the
manner provided herein.
Section 5.2. Maintenance of Agency.
So long as any of the Debentures remain Outstanding, the Company shall
maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this
Section 5.2, where (i) Debentures may be presented for payment; (ii) Debentures
may be presented as hereinabove authorized for registration of transfer and
exchange; and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Debentures and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to
continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by
written notice signed by its President or a Vice President and delivered to the
Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them.
If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or
agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent
to receive all such presentations, notices and demands. In addition to any such
office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more
offices or agencies outside of the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
where the Debentures may be presented for registration or transfer and for
exchange in the manner provided herein, and the Company may from time to time
rescind such designation as the Company may deem desirable or expedient;
provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner
relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for the purposes above
mentioned. The Company shall give the Trustee prompt written notice of any such
designation or rescission thereof.
Section 5.3. Paying Agents.
(a) The Property Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent. If the Company
shall appoint one or more paying agents for the Debentures, other than the
Trustee, the Company shall cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver
to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee,
subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3:
(i) that it shall hold all sums held by it as such agent for
the payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures (whether
such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor
of such Debentures) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto;
(ii) that it shall give the Trustee notice of any failure by
the Company (or by any other obligor of such Debentures) to make any
payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures when the same
shall be due and payable;
<PAGE>
(iii) that it shall, at any time during the continuance of any
failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(ii) above, upon the
written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums
so held in trust by such paying agent; and
(iv) that it shall perform all other duties of paying agent as
set forth in this Indenture.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to
the Debentures, it shall on or before each due date of the principal of or
interest on such Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal
or interest so becoming due on Debentures until such sums shall be paid to such
Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and shall promptly notify
the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such
Debentures) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more
paying agents for the Debentures, it shall, prior to each due date of the
principal of or interest on any Debentures, deposit with the paying agent a sum
sufficient to pay the principal or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held
in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or interest,
and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify
the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.3 to the contrary, (i)
the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 5.3 is subject
to the provisions of Section 13.3 and 13.4; and (ii) the Company may at any
time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay, to
the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such
sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon
which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such
payment by any paying agent to the Trustee, such paying agent shall be released
from all further liability with respect to such money.
Section 5.4. Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the
office of Trustee, shall appoint, in the manner provided in Section 9.10, a
Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 5.5. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.
The Company shall not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding,
consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or
substantially all of its property to any other company unless the provisions of
Article XII hereof are complied with.
Section 5.6. Limitation on Transactions.
If Debentures are issued to the Trust or a trustee of the Trust in
connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust and (i) there
shall have occurred any event that would constitute an Event of Default; (ii)
the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to the Trust; or (iii) the
Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on
such Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided in this
<PAGE>
Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then
(a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions
with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) as a result of a
reclassification of its capital stock for another class of its capital stock; or
(ii) the conversion of the Company's Class A Convertible, Adjustable Rate
Preferred Stock to the Company's common stock, par value $250.00 per share); (b)
the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures; provided, however, that
the Company may make payments pursuant to its obligations under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee; and (c) the Company shall not redeem, purchase or acquire
less than all of the outstanding Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities.
Section 5.7. Covenants as to the Trust.
For so long as such Trust Securities of the Trust remain outstanding,
the Company shall (i) maintain 100% direct or indirect ownership of the Common
Securities of the Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the
Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of the
Common Securities; (ii) not voluntarily terminate, wind up or liquidate the
Trust, except upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve and use
its reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a business trust, except
in connection with a distribution of Debentures, the redemption of all of the
Trust Securities of the Trust or certain mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations, each as permitted by the Trust Agreement; and (b) to otherwise
continue not to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or
partnership for United States federal income tax purposes; and (iii) use its
reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as
owning an individual beneficial interest in the Debentures. In connection with
the distribution of the Debentures to the holders of the Preferred Securities
issued by the Trust upon a Dissolution Event, the Company shall use its best
efforts to list such Debentures on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or
on such other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed.
Section 5.8. Covenants as to Purchases.
Prior to March 31, 2002, the Company shall not purchase any Debentures,
in whole or in part, from the Trust.
ARTICLE VI.
DEBENTUREHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of
Debentureholders.
The Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a)
on a monthly basis on each regular record date (as described in Section 2.5) a
list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the holders of the Debentures as of such regular record date,
provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish
such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the
<PAGE>
most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company (in the event the
Company fails to provide such list on a monthly basis, the Trustee shall be
entitled to rely on the most recent list provided by the Company); and (b) at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the
receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content
as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished if the
Trustee shall be the Debenture Registrar.
Section 6.2. Preservation of Information Communications with Debentureholders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of
Debentures contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in
Section 6.1 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Debentures received
by the Trustee in its capacity as registrar for the Debentures (if acting in
such capacity).
(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 6.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(c) Debentureholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act with other Debentureholders with respect to their rights
under this Indenture or under the Debentures.
Section 6.3. Reports by the.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within
15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission,
copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports
(or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from
time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be
required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information,
documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the
Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and
periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to
Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on
a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such
rules and regulations.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from to time
by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with
respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided
for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and
regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail, first class
postage prepaid, or reputable over-night delivery service that provides for
evidence of receipt, to the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses
appear upon the Debenture Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with
the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required
<PAGE>
to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section
6.3 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by
the Commission.
Section 6.4. Reports by the Trustee.
(a) On or before July 15 in each year in which any of the Debentures
are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the
Debenture Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 15, if and to
the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Debentureholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each stock
exchange upon which any Debentures are listed (if so listed) and also with the
Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Debentures become
listed on any stock exchange.
ARTICLE VII.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND DEBENTUREHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 7.1. Events of
(a) Whenever used herein with respect to the Debentures, "Event of
Default" means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is
continuing:
(i) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of
interest upon any of the Debentures, as and when the same shall become
due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30
days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment
period by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this
purpose;
(ii) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal on
the Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable
whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;
provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such
Debentures in accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall not
constitute a default in the payment of principal;
(iii) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its
covenants or agreements with respect to the Debentures for a period of
90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure,
requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by
the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the
Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding;
<PAGE>
(iv) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any
Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case; (ii) consents to the
entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case; (iii)
consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
substantially all of its property; or (iv) makes a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors;
(v) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under
any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an
involuntary case; (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or
substantially all of its property; or (iii) orders the liquidation of
the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for
90 days; or
(vi) the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily
dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence
except in connection with (i) the distribution of Debentures to holders
of Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in the Trust;
(ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities of the
Trust; or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each
as permitted by the Trust Agreement.
(b) In each and every such case, unless the principal of all the
Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the
Trustee if given by such Debentureholders) may declare the principal of all the
Debentures to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the
same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding
anything contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures.
(c) At any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been
so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment
of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided,
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then
Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has
paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of any and
all Debentures that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with
interest upon such principal, and upon overdue installments of interest, at the
rate per annum expressed in the Debentures to the date of such payment or
deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.6; and (ii) any
and all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of
principal on Debentures that shall not have become due by their terms, shall
have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 7.6. No such rescission and
annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequent thereon.
(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with
respect to Debentures under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been
discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any
other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in
every such case the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to
<PAGE>
their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers
of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had
been taken.
Section 7.2. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) The Company covenants that (1) in case it shall default in the
payment of any installment of interest on any of the Debentures, and such
default shall have continued for a period of 90 Business Days; or (2) in case it
shall default in the payment of the principal of any of the Debentures when the
same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Debentures
or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the
Trustee, the Company shall pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of
the Debentures, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and
payable on all such Debentures for principal or interest, or both, as the case
may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (if the Debentures are held
by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, without duplication of any other amounts
paid by the Trust or trustee in respect thereof) upon overdue installments of
interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Debentures; and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7.
(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall
be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in
equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any
such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such
judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the
Debentures and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the
manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon
the Debentures, wherever situated.
(c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings
affecting the Company or the creditors or property of either, the Trustee shall
have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may
be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law)
be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may
be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the
holders of the Debentures allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the
Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and
for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after
such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of
the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7; and any receiver, assignee
or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the
holders of the Debentures to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
such Debentureholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section
9.7.
(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture,
or under any of the terms established with respect to Debentures, may be
enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Debentures, or the
production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any
<PAGE>
such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own
name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 9.7, be
for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures. In case of an Event of
Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial
proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any
of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise,
whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in
this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture,
or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this
Indenture or by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Debentureholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Debentureholder in
any such proceeding.
Section 7.3. Application of Moneys Collected.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VII with
respect to the Debentures shall be applied in the following order, at the date
or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on
account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Debentures, and
notation thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof
if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and
of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7;
SECOND: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company if and to the extent required by Article XVI; and
THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon
the Debentures for principal and interest, in respect of which or for
the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without
preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and
payable on such Debentures for principal and interest, respectively.
Section 7.4. Limitation on Suits.
(a) No holder of any Debenture shall have any right by virtue or by
availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or
proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee
written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with
respect to the Debentures specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore
provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee
to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as trustee
hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such
reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; and (iv) the Trustee for 60 days
after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have
<PAGE>
failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and (v) during such 60
day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debentures do
not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any
other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of the Debentures to
receive payment of the principal of and interest on the Debentures, as therein
provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture (or
in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption
date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and
by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such
taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures
shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any
provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the
holders of any other of such Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority
over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and
common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement
of the provisions of this Section 7.4, each and every Debentureholder and the
Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in
equity.
Section 7.5. Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission not Waiver.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.9, all powers and
remedies given by this Article VII to the Trustee or to the Debentureholders
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of
any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the
Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or
observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or
otherwise established with respect to such Debentures.
(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the
Debentures to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default
occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or
shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or on acquiescence
therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, every power and remedy
given by this Article VII or by law to the Trustee or the Debentureholders may
be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by
the Trustee or by the Debentureholders.
Section 7.6. Control by Debentureholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 10.4,
shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that such direction shall not
be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the
provisions of Section 9.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow
any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer
or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would
involve the Trustee in personal liability. The holders of a majority in
<PAGE>
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding affected
thereby, determined in accordance with Section 10.4, may on behalf of the
holders of all of the Debentures waive any past default in the performance of
any of the covenants contained herein and its consequences, except (i) a default
in the payment of the principal of or interest on, any of the Debentures as and
when the same shall become due by the terms of such Debentures otherwise than by
acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all
matured installments of interest and principal has been deposited with the
Trustee (in accordance with Section 7.1(c)); (ii) a default in the covenants
contained in Section 5.6; or (iii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof
which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each
Outstanding Debenture affected; provided, however, that if the Debentures are
held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, such waiver or modification to such
waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver
or modification to such waiver; provided further, that if the consent of the
holder of each Outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be
effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have
consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby
shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company,
the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former
positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to
any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 7.7. Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debentures
by such holder's acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any
court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in
such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court
may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits
and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the
provisions of this Section 7.8 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder, or group of
Debentureholders holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debentures, or to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder for the
enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures, on
or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture or established
pursuant to this Indenture.
ARTICLE VIII.
FORM OF DEBENTURE AND ORIGINAL ISSUE
Section 8.1. Form of Debenture.
The Debenture and the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication to be
endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the forms contained as Exhibit A
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
Section 8.2. Original Issue of Debentures.
Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $88,917,550 may, upon
execution of this Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and
deliver said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by
its Chairman, its Vice Chairman, its President, or any Vice President and its
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, without any further action by the Company.
ARTICLE IX.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 9.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities Trustee.
(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and
after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform with respect to the Debentures such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of
Default has occurred that has not been cured or waived, the Trustee shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) 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:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall
with respect to the Debentures be determined solely by the
express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall
not be liable with respect to the Debentures except for the
performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Debentures
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any
certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and
conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the
case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to
the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the
same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Indenture;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of
the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
<PAGE>
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the
direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding relating to the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Debentures; and
(4) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall
require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or
in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable
ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is
not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or
adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 9.2. Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the
Securities, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all holders of the Debentures,
as their names and addresses appear in the Debenture Register, notice of such
default, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however,
that, except in the case default in the payment of the principal or interest
(including any Additional Interest) on any Debenture, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee or a trust committee of the directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the holders of such Debentures; and provided,
further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in section
7.1(a)(iii), no such notice to holders of Debentures need be sent until at least
30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purposes of this Section 9.2, the
term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or
both, would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures.
Section 9.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument
signed in the name of the Company by the President or any Vice President and by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer thereof (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically
prescribed herein);
(c) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of a default or
an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default specified in Section
7.1(a)(i); or (ii), unless and until it receives written notification of such
<PAGE>
Event of Default from the Company or by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding;
(d) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in
good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Debentureholders, pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Debentureholders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall,
however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to the
Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to
use the same degree of care and skill in 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 liable for any action taken or omitted to
be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or
other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debentures
(determined as provided in Section 10.4); provided, however, that if the payment
within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities
likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the
opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security
afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require
reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition
to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid
by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon
demand; and
(h) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.
Section 9.4. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, etc.
(a) The Recitals contained herein and in the Debentures shall be taken
as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for
the correctness of the same.
(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures.
<PAGE>
(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by
the Company of any of the Debentures or of the proceeds of such Debentures, or
for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance
with any provision of this Indenture, or for the use or application of any
moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.
Section 9.5. May Hold Debentures.
The Trustee or any paying agent or registrar for the Debentures, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or
Debenture Registrar.
Section 9.6. Moneys Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 13.5, all moneys received by the
Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for
the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it
may agree with the Company to pay thereon.
Section 9.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust), as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in
writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby
created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties
hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the Company shall pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee
in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of
all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Company also
covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and
employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of
liability in the premises.
(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section 9.7 to compensate
and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.
Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such,
except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular
Debentures.
Section 9.8. Reliance on Officers' Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1, whenever in the
administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it
<PAGE>
necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or
suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other
evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the
absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the
part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken,
suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture
upon the faith thereof.
Section 9.9. Disqualification: Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within
the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the
Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.10. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Debentures
issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or
Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other
Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of
this Section 9.10, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be
deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.10, the Trustee
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section
9.11.
Section 9.11. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed, may at any time
resign by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting
notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly
appoint a successor trustee with respect to Debentures by written instrument, in
duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the
successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have
accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of
resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to
Debentures, or any Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions
of Section 9.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition
<PAGE>
any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may
thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe,
appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of
Section 9.9 after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or
Debentures for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with
the provisions of Section 9.10 and shall fail to resign after written
request therefor by the Company or by any such Debentureholder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall
be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy
proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case,
the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Debentures and
appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate,
executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to
the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 9.9,
unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed as provided herein, any
Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or
Debentures for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any,
as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a
successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee by so
notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee with
the consent of the Company.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor trustee with respect to the Debentures pursuant to any of the
provisions of this Section 9.11 shall become effective upon acceptance of
appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 9.12.
(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 9.11 may
be appointed with respect to the Debentures, and at any time there shall be only
one Trustee with respect to the Debentures.
Section 9.12. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with
respect to the Debentures, every successor trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any
<PAGE>
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) Upon request of any successor trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in
paragraph (a) of this Section 9.12.
(c) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the
time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible
under this Article IX.
(d) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided
in this Section 9.12, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of
such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after
acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall
cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.
Section 9.13. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be
the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be
qualified under the provisions of Section 9.9 and eligible under the provisions
of Section 9.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding. In case any Debentures shall have been authenticated, but not
delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or
consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and
deliver the Debentures so authenticated with the same effect as if such
successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Debentures.
Section 9.14. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject
to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.
ARTICLE X.
CONCERNING THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS
Section 10.1. Evidence of Action by Holders.
(a) Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a
majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
<PAGE>
may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving
of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact
that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or
specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or
any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of
Debentures in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.
(b) If the Company shall solicit from the Debentureholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Debentureholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date
is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only
the Debentureholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall
be deemed to be Debentureholders for the purposes of determining whether
Debentureholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Debentures have
authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the
Outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided,
however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such
Debentureholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six
months after the record date.
Section 10.2. Proof of Execution by Debentureholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, proof of the execution of any
instrument by a Debentureholder (such proof shall not require notarization) or
his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the
Debentures shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any
instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.
(b) The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture
Register of such Debentures or by a certificate of the Debenture Registrar
thereof.
(c) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter
referred to in this Section 10.2 as it shall deem necessary.
Section 10.3. Who May be Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any
Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent, any Authenticating Agent
and any Debenture Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such
Debenture shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute
owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other
than the Debenture Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on
account of the principal of and interest on such Debenture (subject to Section
2.3) and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
paying agent nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Debenture Registrar shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary.
<PAGE>
Section 10.4. Certain Debentures Owned by Company Disregarded.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under
this Indenture, the Debentures that are owned by the Company or any other
obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on
the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the
purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent
or waiver, only Debentures that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be
so disregarded. The Debentures so owned that have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section 10.4, if the pledgee
shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act
with respect to such Debentures and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to
such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall
be full protection to the Trustee.
Section 10.5. Actions Binding on Future Debentureholders.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as
provided in Section 10.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the
majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified
in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Debenture that
is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures the holders of which
have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee,
and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 10.2, revoke such action so far
as concerns such Debenture. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the
holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and
upon all future holders and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture
issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place
thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made
upon such Debenture. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or
percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this
Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the
Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Debentures.
ARTICLE XI.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 11.1. Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Debentureholders.
In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this
Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the
consent of the Debentureholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
<PAGE>
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein, in the
Debentures;
(b) to comply with Article X;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Debentures in addition to or in
place of certificated Debentures;
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
holders of all or any of the Debentures or to surrender any right or power
herein conferred upon the Company;
(e) to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and
restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue,
authentication, and delivery of Debentures, as herein set forth;
(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of
any Debentureholder in any material respect;
(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms
and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications
required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or of the
Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of the Debentures; or
(h) qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of
any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements
and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be
obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 11.1 may
be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of
any of the Debentures at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the
provisions of Section 11.2.
Section 11.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Debentureholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 10.1) of the holders
of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at
the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the
Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this
Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not
covered by Section 11.1 the rights of the holders of the Debentures under this
Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without
the consent of the holders of each Debenture then Outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debentures, reduce the principal
amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
thereon, without the consent of the holder of each Debenture so affected; or
(ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, that
<PAGE>
if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, such
supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in
liquidation preference of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to
such supplemental indenture; provided further, that if the consent of the holder
of each Outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental indenture shall not
be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have
consented to such supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the
consent of the Debentureholders affected thereby under this Section 11.2 to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 11.3. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XI, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be
modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture
of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be
determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such
modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such
supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and
conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 11.4. Debentures Affected by Supplemental Indentures.
Debentures affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and
delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XI, may bear a notation in form approved by the
Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any exchange upon which
the Debentures may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental
indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to
conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any
modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in
exchange for the Debentures then Outstanding.
Section 11.5. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
(a) Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by their Board
Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and
upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Debentureholders
required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the
Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental
indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this
Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but
shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee,
subject to the provisions of Sections 9.1, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as
conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this
Article XI is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
Article XI and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this
Article XI to join in the execution thereof.
(b) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 11.5, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting
<PAGE>
forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the
Debentureholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein,
shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such
supplemental indenture.
ARTICLE XII.
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 12.1. Company May Consolidate, etc.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debentures shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the
case may be), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company, as
the case may be, or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or
shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the
property of the Company, as the case may be, or its successor or successors as
an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether
or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be, or its successor or
successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the
Company hereby covenants and agrees that, (i) upon any such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual
payment, in the case of the Company, of the principal of and interest on all of
the Debentures, according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance
and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept
or performed by the Company as the case may be, shall be expressly assumed, by
supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, as then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed
and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into
which the Company, as the case may be, shall have been merged, or by the entity
which shall have acquired such property; (ii) in case the Company consolidates
with or merges into another Person or conveys or transfers its properties and
assets substantially then as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person is
organized under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of
Columbia; and (iii) immediately after giving effect thereto, an Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become
an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
Section 12.2. Successor Corporation Substituted.
(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor
corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee
and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of, in the case of the Company, the due
and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Debentures
Outstanding and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and
conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company, as the case may be,
such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company,
with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and
thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Debentures.
<PAGE>
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in
substance) may be made in the Debentures thereafter to be issued as may be
appropriate.
(c) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debentures
shall prevent the Company from merging into itself or acquiring by purchase or
otherwise all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not
affiliated with the Company).
Section 12.3. Evidence of Consolidation, etc. to Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, may receive an
Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger,
sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply
with the provisions of this Article XII.
ARTICLE XIII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 13.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures
that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced
or paid as provided in Section 2.9) and Debentures for whose payment money or
Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated
and held in trust by the Company (and thereupon repaid to the Company or
discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 13.5); or (b) all such
Debentures not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have
become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within
one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the
Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds
the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations sufficient or a
combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debentures
not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal
and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for
redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be
paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; then this Indenture shall
thereupon cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections
2.3, 2.7, 2.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 9.10, that shall survive until the date of
maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 9.6 and 13.5, that
shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the
Company and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture.
Section 13.2. Discharge of Obligations.
If at any time all Debentures not heretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section
13.1 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the
<PAGE>
Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized certified public accounting
firm to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debentures not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due
or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the
case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other
sums payable hereunder by the Company, then after the date such moneys or
Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee,
the obligations of the Company under this Indenture shall cease to be of further
effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.7, 2.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.6,
9.10 and 13.5 hereof that shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and
be paid. Thereafter, Sections 9.6 and 13.5 shall survive.
Section 13.3. Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.
All monies or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to Sections 13.1 or 13.2 shall be held in trust and shall be available
for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the
Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the Debentures for
the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have
been deposited with the Trustee.
Section 13.4. Payment of Monies Held by Paying Agents.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the
provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the
Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.
Section 13.5. Repayment to Company.
Any monies or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent
or the Trustee, or then held by the Company in trust, for payment of principal
of or interest on the Debentures that are not applied but remain unclaimed by
the holders of such Debentures for at least two years after the date upon which
the principal of or interest on such Debentures shall have respectively become
due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company, as the case may be, on May 31
of each year or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such
trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all
further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and
the holder of any of the Debentures entitled to receive such payment shall
thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the
payment thereof.
ARTICLE XIV.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS
AND DIRECTORS
Section 14.1. No Recourse.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this
Indenture, or of the Debentures, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or
<PAGE>
director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor
or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such
predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution,
statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or
otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations
issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal
liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the
incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of
any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the
creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of
the Debentures or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal
liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by
constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against,
every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of
the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of
the Debentures or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as
a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and
the issuance of such Debentures.
ARTICLE XV.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.1. Effect on Successors and Assigns.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this
Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind their respective
successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 15.2. Actions by Successor.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or
required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the
Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the
time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.
Section 15.3. Surrender of Company Powers.
The Company by instrument in writing executed by appropriate authority
of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the
powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall
terminate both as to the Company, as the case may be, and as to any successor
corporation.
Section 15.4. Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein any notice or demand that
by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or
served by the Trustee or by the holders of Debentures to or on the Company may
be given or served by being deposited first class postage prepaid in a
post-office letterbox addressed (until another address is filed in writing by
the Company with the Trustee), as follows: c/o First Banks, Inc., 11901 Olive
Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63141, Attention: Allen H. Blake, Executive Vice
<PAGE>
President. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any
Debentureholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently
given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee.
Section 15.5. Governing Law.
This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the internal laws of the State of Missouri and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of said State.
Section 15.6. Treatment of Debentures as Debt.
It is intended that the Debentures shall be treated as indebtedness and
not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture
shall be interpreted to further this intention.
Section 15.7. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions
precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have
been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in
the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such
documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating
to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion
need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion of the Company provided for in this
Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the
Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such
Person, he has made such examination or investigation as, in the opinion of such
Person, is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether
or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as
to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has
been complied with.
Section 15.8. Payments on Business Days.
In any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any
Debenture or the date of redemption of any Debenture shall not be a Business
Day, then payment of interest or principal may be made on the next succeeding
Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of
maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such
nominal date.
<PAGE>
Section 15.9. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits,
qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
Section 15.10. Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but
one and the same instrument.
Section 15.11. Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture
or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Debentures,
but this Indenture and the Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
Section 15.12. Assignment.
The Company shall have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such
assignment, the Company shall remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to
the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the
parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may
not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.
Section 15.13. Acknowledgment of Rights.
The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Debentures held by
the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, if the Property Trustee fails to enforce
its rights under this Indenture as the holder of the Debentures held as the
assets of the Trust, any holder of Preferred Securities may institute legal
proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Property Trustee's
rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings
against such Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event
is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or principal on
the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or
in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company acknowledges
that a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for
enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date
specified in the Debentures.
ARTICLE XVI.
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES
Section 16.1. Agreement to Subordinate.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures issued
hereunder by such holder's acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees,
<PAGE>
that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article
XVI; and each holder of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon
transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such
provisions. The payment by the Company of the principal of and interest on all
Debentures issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter
set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations
(collectively, "Senior Indebtedness") to the extent provided herein, whether
outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. No provision
of this Article XVI shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of
Default hereunder.
Section 16.2. Default on Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior
Obligations.
In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company
in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, or in the event that the maturity of any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default,
then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to
the principal (including redemption payments) of or interest on the Debentures.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received
by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding sentence of this
Section 16.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall
be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their
respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture
pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee)
notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then
due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such
notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Section 16.3. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.
(a) Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of
the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness
of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in
money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on
account of the principal or interest on the Debentures; and upon any such
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the
Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Debentures
or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the
provisions of this Article XVI, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver,
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such
payment or distribution, or by the holders of the Debentures or by the Trustee
under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the
respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by
the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such
<PAGE>
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in
money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any
payment or distribution is made to the holders of Debentures or to the Trustee.
(b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the
Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, or
provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such
payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be
paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their
representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness
may have been issued, and their respective interests may appear, as calculated
by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, as the case may be, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay
such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after
giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
(c) For purposes of this Article XVI, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XVI with respect
to the Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as
the case may be, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such
Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from
any such reorganization or readjustment; and (ii) the rights of the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered
by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with,
or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property
as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the
terms and conditions provided for in Article XII shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this
Section 16.3 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation,
merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article
XII. Nothing in Section 16.2 or in this Section 16.3 shall apply to claims of,
or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 9.7.
Section 16.4. Subrogation.
(a) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, the rights of the holders of the Debentures shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may
be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest
on the Debentures shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the holders of the
Debentures or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
<PAGE>
Article XVI, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI
to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by holders of
the Debentures or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the
Debentures, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such
Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XVI
are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of
the holders of the Debentures, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness on the other hand.
(b) Nothing contained in this Article XVI or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the
Company, its creditors (other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company), and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the
principal of and interest on the Debentures as and when the same shall become
due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall
affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the
Company, as the case may be, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, as the case may be, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent
the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies
otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject
to the rights, if any, under this Article XVI of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the
case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
(c) Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred
to in this Article XVI, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article IX,
and the holders of the Debentures shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon
any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending,
or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee,
agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the
Trustee or to the holders of the Debentures, for the purposes of ascertaining
the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the
amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed
thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XVI.
Section 16.5. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each holder of Debentures by such holder's acceptance thereof
authorizes and directs the Trustee on such holder's behalf to take such action
as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in
this Article XVI and appoints the Trustee such holder's attorney-in-fact for any
and all such purposes.
Section 16.6. Notice by the.
(a) The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the
making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Article XVI or any other provision of this Indenture, the
<PAGE>
Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that
would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in
respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI, unless
and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written
notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or
from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice,
the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, shall be entitled in all
respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the
Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at
least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any
money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and
authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which
they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that
may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.
(b) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, shall be
entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a
Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company
(or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been
given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such
holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that
further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder
of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution
pursuant to this Article XVI, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such
Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts
pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XVI, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.
Section 16.7. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
(a) The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article XVI in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at
any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder. The Trustee's right to compensation and reimbursement
of expenses as set forth in Section 9.7 shall not be subject to the
subordination provisions of the Article XVI.
(b) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XVI, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and,
subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any
holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to holders of
Debentures, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder
of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XVI or
otherwise.
<PAGE>
Section 16.8. Subordination may not be Impaired.
(a) No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness
of the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in
any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of
the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder,
or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants
of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may
have or otherwise be charged with.
(b) Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing
paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time
and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the
holders of the Debentures, without incurring responsibility to the holders of
the Debentures and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in
this Article XVI or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debentures
to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following:
(i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment
of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or
supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing
the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding;
(ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged,
mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any
Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and
(iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any
other Person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST BANKS, INC.
By: /s/ Allen H. Blake
Name: Allen H. Blake
Title: Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
Attest:
/s/ Laurence J. Brost
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as trustee
By: /s/ Paul D. Allen
Name: Paul D. Allen
Title: Vice President
Attest:
/s/
<PAGE>
STATE OF MISSOURI )
) ss:
COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS )
On this 4th day of February, 1997, before me appeared Allen H. Blake,
to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did say that he is the
Executive Vice President, CFO and Secretary of FIRST BANKS, INC., and that the
seal affixed to said instrument is the corporate seal of said corporation, and
that said instrument was signed and sealed in behalf of said corporation by
authority of its board of directors and said Allen H. Blake, acknowledged said
instrument to be the free act and deed of said corporation.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
official seal at my office in said county and state the day and year last above
written.
/s/ J. Stephens
Notary Public
[seal] My term expires: June 27, 1997
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK )
On this 24th day of January, 1997, before me appeared Paul D. Allen, to
me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did say that he is the Vice
President of STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, and that the seal affixed to
said instrument is the corporate seal of said corporation, and that said
instrument was signed and sealed in behalf of said corporation by authority of
its board of directors and said Paul D. Allen, acknowledged said instrument to
be the free act and deed of said corporation.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
official seal at my office in said county and state the day and year last above
written.
/s/ Scott Knox
Notary Public
[seal] My term expires: July 12, 2002
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
(FORM OF FACE OF DEBENTURE)
No. $ 88,917,550
-----------------------------
CUSIP No. 319287 AA 6
FIRST BANKS, INC.
9.25% SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
DUE MARCH 31, 2027
First Banks, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the "Company," which term
includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to, State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as Property Trustee, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
Eighty-Eight Million, Nine Hundred Seventeen Thousand, Five Hundred Fifty
Dollars ($88,917,550) on March 31, 2027 (the "Stated Maturity"), and to pay
interest on said principal sum from February 4, 1997, or from the most recent
interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as
set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31
of each year commencing March 31, 1997, at the rate of 9.25% per annum until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal
and (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest at the same
rate per annum compounded quarterly. The amount of interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months. The amount of interest for any partial period shall be computed
on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this
Debenture is not a business day, then payment of interest payable on such date
shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and
effect as if made on such date. The interest installment so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall, as
provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person in whose name this Debenture
(or one or more Predecessor Debentures, as defined in said Indenture) is
registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest
installment, which shall be the fifteenth day of the last month of the calendar
quarter in which such Interest Payment Date occurs unless otherwise provided in
the Indenture. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly
provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holders on
such regular record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this
Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Debentures) is registered at the close of
business on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of
such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the registered holders
of the Debentures not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or
may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
<PAGE>
requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debentures may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in the Indenture. The principal of and the interest on this Debenture
shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the
Debenture Register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this
Debenture is the Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest
on this Debenture shall be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Trustee.
The Stated Maturity may be shortened at any time by the Company to any
date not earlier than March 31, 2002, subject to the Company having received
prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve. Such date may also be extended at
any time at the election of the Company for one or more periods, but in no event
to a date later than March 31, 2046, subject to certain limitations described in
the Indenture.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued subject
to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this
Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions; (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take
such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination so provided; and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his or
her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the
subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of
Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives
reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of
the Trustee.
The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side
hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect
as though fully set forth at this place.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed.
Dated February 4, 1997
FIRST BANKS, INC.
By: ______________________
Name: ______________________
Title:______________________
Attest:
By: ______________________
Name: ______________________
Title: ______________________
<PAGE>
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Debentures described in the within-mentioned
Indenture.
Dated:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, ________________________
as Trustee or Authentication Agent
By ________________________
By ____________________
Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]
9.25% SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
(CONTINUED)
This Debenture is one of the subordinated debentures of the Company
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Debentures"), specified in the Indenture,
all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of
February 4, 1997 (the "Indenture") duly executed and delivered between the
Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to
which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are
limited in aggregate principal amount as specified in the Indenture.
Because of the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, in
certain circumstances, this Debenture may become due and payable at the
principal amount together with any interest accrued thereon (the "Redemption
Price"). The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, Eastern
Standard Time, time, on the date of such redemption or at such earlier time as
the Company determines. The Company shall have the right to redeem this
Debenture at the option of the Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or
in part at any time on or after March 31, 2002 (an "Optional Redemption"), or at
any time in certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a Special Event, at a
Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued but
unpaid interest, to the date of such redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this
paragraph shall be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice,
at the Redemption Price. If the Debentures are only partially redeemed by the
Company pursuant to an Optional Redemption, the Debentures shall be redeemed pro
rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee.
In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a new
Debenture or Debentures for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the
name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debentures may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, as defined
in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding
any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions
of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner
the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of the Debentures
except as provided in the Indenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, without the
consent of the holder of each Debenture so affected; or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of which are required to consent
<PAGE>
to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of each
Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures at the time outstanding, on behalf of all of the holders of the
Debentures, to waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants
contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the Indenture, and its
consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on
any of the Debentures. Any such consent or waiver by the registered holder of
this Debenture (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive
and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this
Debenture and of any Debenture issued in exchange herefor or in place hereof
(whether by registration of transfer or otherwise), irrespective of whether or
not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Debenture.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest on this
Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein
prescribed.
The Company shall have the right at any time during the term of the
Debentures and from time to time to extend the interest payment period of such
Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters (each, an "Extended Interest
Payment Period"), at the end of which period the Company shall pay all interest
then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate specified
for the Debentures to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable
under applicable law). Before the termination of any such Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company may further extend such Extended Interest Payment
Period, provided that such Extended Interest Payment Period together with all
such further extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarters. At the
termination of any such Extended Interest Payment Period and upon the payment of
all accrued and unpaid interest and any additional amounts then due, the Company
may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, this Debenture is transferable by the registered holder hereof on the
Debenture Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Debenture for
registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee accompanied by a
written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company or the Trustee duly executed by the registered holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Debentures of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount shall be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be
made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation
thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this
Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Debenture
Registrar may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner
hereof (whether or not this Debenture shall be overdue and notwithstanding any
notice of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the Debenture
Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the
principal hereof and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither
<PAGE>
the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Debentures Registrar
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the
interest on this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in
respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.
The Debentures are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.
All terms used in this Debenture that are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4(d)
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRUST AGREEMENT
among
FIRST BANKS, INC., as Depositor
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Property Trustee
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Delaware Trustee,
and
THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of February 4, 1997
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I - DEFINED TERMS..................................................................................... 1
Section 101. Definitions.............................................................................. 1
ARTICLE II - ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST....................................................................... 9
Section 201. Name..................................................................................... 9
Section 202. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business.............................. 9
Section 203. Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational Expenses.......................... 9
Section 204. Issuance of the Preferred Securities..................................................... 9
Section 205. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription and Purchase of Debentures............... 9
Section 206. Declaration of Trust..................................................................... 10
Section 207. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions......................................... 10
Section 208. Assets of Trust.......................................................................... 13
Section 209. Title to Trust Property.................................................................. 13
ARTICLE III - PAYMENT ACCOUNT................................................................................. 13
Section 301. Payment Account.......................................................................... 13
ARTICLE IV - DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION........................................................................ 14
Section 401. Distributions............................................................................ 14
Section 402. Redemption............................................................................... 14
Section 403. Subordination of Common Securities....................................................... 16
Section 404. Payment Procedures....................................................................... 16
Section 405. Tax Returns and Reports.................................................................. 17
Section 406. Payment of Taxes, Duties, etc. of the Trust.............................................. 17
Section 407. Payments Under Indenture................................................................. 17
ARTICLE V - TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES..................................................................... 17
Section 501. Initial Ownership........................................................................ 17
Section 502. The Trust Securities Certificates........................................................ 17
Section 503. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates.................. 18
Section 504. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates............... 18
Section 505. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities Certificates....................... 19
Section 506. Persons Deemed Securityholders........................................................... 19
Section 507. Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses................................... 19
Section 508. Maintenance of Office or Agency.......................................................... 20
Section 509. Appointment of Paying Agent.............................................................. 20
Section 510. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.............................................. 21
Section 511. Preferred Securities Certificates........................................................ 21
Section 512. [Intentionally Omitted].................................................................. 21
Section 513. [Intentionally Omitted].................................................................. 21
Section 514. Rights of Securityholders................................................................ 21
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI - ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING........................................................ 22
Section 601. Limitations on Voting Rights............................................................. 22
Section 602. Notice of Meetings....................................................................... 23
Section 603. Meetings of Preferred Securityholders.................................................... 23
Section 604. Voting Rights............................................................................ 23
Section 605. Proxies, etc............................................................................. 23
Section 606. Securityholder Action by Written Consent................................................. 24
Section 607. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes................................................ 24
Section 608. Acts of Securityholders.................................................................. 24
Section 609. Inspection of Records.................................................................... 25
ARTICLE VII - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................................................. 25
Section 701. Representations and Warranties of the Bank and the Property Trustee...................... 25
Section 702. Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Bank and the Delaware Trustee............. 26
Section 703. Representations and Warranties of Depositor.............................................. 27
ARTICLE VIII - TRUSTEES....................................................................................... 28
Section 801. Certain Duties and Responsibilities...................................................... 28
Section 802. Certain Notices.......................................................................... 29
Section 803. Certain Rights of Property Trustee....................................................... 29
Section 804. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities................................... 31
Section 805. May Hold Securities...................................................................... 31
Section 806. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees............................................................ 31
Section 807. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees............................. 32
Section 808. Conflicting Interests.................................................................... 32
Section 809. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee......................................................... 32
Section 810. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor........................................ 34
Section 811. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor................................................... 35
Section 812. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.............................. 35
Section 813. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or Trust............................. 36
Section 814. Reports by Property Trustee.............................................................. 36
Section 815. Reports to the Property Trustee.......................................................... 36
Section 816. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent......................................... 36
Section 817. Number of Trustees....................................................................... 37
Section 818. Delegation of Power...................................................................... 37
Section 819. Voting................................................................................... 37
ARTICLE IX - TERMINATION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER.............................................................. 37
Section 901. Termination Upon Expiration Date......................................................... 37
Section 902. Early Termination........................................................................ 38
Section 903. Termination.............................................................................. 38
Section 904. Liquidation.............................................................................. 38
Section 905. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust...................... 39
ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.......................................................................... 40
Section 1001. Limitation of Rights of Securityholders................................................. 40
Section 1002. Amendment............................................................................... 40
Section 1003. Separability............................................................................ 42
Section 1004. Governing law........................................................................... 42
Section 1005. Payments Due on Non-Business Day........................................................ 42
Section 1006. Successors.............................................................................. 42
Section 1007. Headings................................................................................ 42
Section 1008. Reports, Notices and Demands............................................................ 42
Section 1009. Agreement Not to Petition............................................................... 43
Section 1010. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.................................. 44
Section 1011. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and Indenture......................... 44
Exhibit A.........Certificate of Trust
Exhibit B.........[Intentionally Omitted]
Exhibit C.........Form of Common Securities Certificate
Exhibit D.........Form of Expense Agreement
Exhibit E.........Form of Preferred Securities Certificate
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of February 4, 1997,
among (i) FIRST BANKS, INC., a Missouri corporation (including any successors or
assigns, the "Depositor"), (ii) STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a trust
company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, as property trustee (the "Property Trustee" and, in its separate
corporate capacity and not in its capacity as Property Trustee, the "Bank"),
(iii) WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation duly organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, as Delaware trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee," and, in its separate corporate capacity and not in its
capacity as Delaware Trustee, the "Delaware Bank") (iv) JAMES F. DIERBERG, an
individual, ALLEN H. BLAKE, an individual, and LAURENCE J. BROST, an individual,
each of whose address is c/o First Banks, Inc., 11901 Olive Boulevard, St.
Louis, Missouri 63141 (each an "Administrative Trustee" and collectively the
"Administrative Trustees") (the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the
Administrative Trustees referred to collectively as the "Trustees"), and (v) the
several Holders (as hereinafter defined).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, and James F. Dierberg,
Allen H. Blake and Laurence J. Brost, each as an Administrative Trustee, have
heretofore duly declared and established a business trust pursuant to the
Delaware Business Trust Act by the entering into of that certain Trust
Agreement, dated as of December 12, 1996 (the "Original Trust Agreement"), and
by the execution and filing by the Delaware Trustee, the Depositor and the
Administrative Trustees with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of
the Certificate of Trust, filed on December 13, 1996, the form of which is
attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and
the Administrative Trustees desire to amend and restate the Original Trust
Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein to provide for, among other
things, (i) the issuance of the Common Securities (as defined herein) by the
Trust (as defined herein) to the Depositor; (ii) the issuance and sale of the
Preferred Securities (as defined herein) by the Trust pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement (as defined herein); (iii) the acquisition by the Trust
from the Depositor of all of the right, title and interest in the Debentures (as
defined herein); and (iv) the appointment of the Trustees;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set
forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the
other parties and for the benefit of the Securityholders (as defined herein),
hereby amends and restates the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety and
agrees as follows:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
Section 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article I have he meanings assigned
to them in this Article I and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(c) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
"Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be,
of this Trust Agreement; and
(d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" has the meaning specified in Section 608.
"Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given
Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of additional interest
accrued on interest in arrears and paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of
Debentures for such period.
"Additional Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Indenture.
"Administrative Trustee" means each of James F. Dierberg, Allen H.
Blake and Laurence J. Brost, solely in his capacity as Administrative Trustee of
the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in his individual capacity, or
such Administrative Trustee's successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person, any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities
or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or
held with power to vote by the specified Person; (c) any Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
specified Person; (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a general
partner; (e) any officer or director of the specified Person; and (f) if the
specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person is
an officer, director or general partner.
"Authenticating Agent" means an authenticating agent with respect to
the Preferred Securities appointed by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section
503.
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
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"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in
the premises adjudging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as
properly filed a petition seeking liquidation or reorganization of or in respect
of such Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or
any other similar applicable federal or state law, and the continuance of any
such decree or order unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or the
commencement of an involuntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code of
1978, as amended, in respect of such Person, which shall continue undismissed
for a period of 90 days or entry of an order for relief in such case; or the
entry of a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for
the appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver,
custodian, liquidator, trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of such
Person or of its property, or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs,
and such decree or order shall have remained in force unvacated and unstayed for
a period of 90 days; or
(b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated a
voluntary bankrupt, or the consent by such Person to the filing of a bankruptcy
proceeding against it, or the filing by such Person of a petition or answer or
consent seeking liquidation or reorganization under the United States Bankruptcy
Code of 1978, as amended, or other similar applicable Federal or State law, or
the consent by such Person to the filing of any such petition or to the
appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver or custodian
or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of such Person
or of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors.
"Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 1009.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Depositor to have been duly adopted
by the Depositor's Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of
Directors or officers of the Depositor to which authority to act on behalf of
the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on
the date of such certification, and delivered to the appropriate Trustee.
"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday, a day on
which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by
law, executive order or regulation to remain closed, or a day on which the
Property Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the Corporate Trust Office of the
Debenture Trustee is closed for business.
"Certificate of Trust" means the certificate of trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware with respect to the Trust, as
amended or restated from time to time.
"Change in 1940 Act Law" shall have the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Investment Company Event."
"Closing Date" means the date of execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time
to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after
<PAGE>
the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets
of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the rights provided
therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions
and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office at which, at any particular
time, the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee or the Debenture
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be principally administered, which office at
the date hereof, in each such case, is located at Two International Place, 4th
Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Department.
"Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in
Section 7.1 of the Indenture.
"Debenture Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Debentures to be
redeemed under the Indenture, the date fixed for redemption under the Indenture.
"Debenture Tax Event" means a "Tax Event" as specified in Section 1.1
of the Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
banking corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and any successor thereto, as trustee under the Indenture.
"Debentures" means the $88,917,550 aggregate principal amount of the
Depositor's 9.25% Subordinated Debentures due 2027, issued pursuant to the
Indenture.
"Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates" means the Preferred
Securities Certificates issued in certificated, fully registered form as
provided in Section 513.
"Delaware Bank" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this
Trust Agreement.
"Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code, 12 Delaware Code Sections 3801 et seq. as it may be amended from
time to time.
"Delaware Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company
identified as the "Delaware Trustee" in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement
solely in its capacity as Delaware Trustee of the Trust formed and continued
hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in
such capacity, or any successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Depositor" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
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"Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 401(a).
"Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust
Securities as provided in Section 401.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):
(a) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of any
Distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default
for a period of 30 days; or
(c) default by the Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of
any Redemption Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other than a
covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of
which is dealt with in clause (b) or (c), above) and continuation of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation preference of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and
requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default" hereunder; or
(e) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property
Trustee and the failure by the Depositor to appoint a successor Property Trustee
within 60 days thereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Expense Agreement" means the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities
between the Depositor and the Trust, substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit D, as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 901.
"Extended Interest Payment Period" has the meaning specified in
Section 4.1 of the Indenture.
"Guarantee" means the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement executed
and delivered by the Depositor and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities, as
amended from time to time.
"Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of February 4, 1997, between
the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee, as trustee, as amended or supplemented
from time to time.
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"Investment Company Act," means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion
of Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national tax and
securities law practice, to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a
change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law
or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), the Trust is or shall be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date
of original issuance of the Preferred Securities under this Trust Agreement.
"Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of
trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest
or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of any kind or nature whatsoever.
"Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal
amount of Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the
Indenture and the proceeds of which shall be used to pay the Redemption Price of
such Trust Securities; and (b) with respect to a distribution of Debentures to
Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a termination or liquidation of
the Trust, Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount
of the Trust Securities of the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.
Each Debenture distributed pursuant to clause (b) above shall carry with it
accumulated interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid interest
then due on such Debentures.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $25 per Trust Security.
"Liquidation Date" means the date on which Debentures are to be
distributed to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a termination and
liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 904(a).
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section 904(d).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or
a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the
Controller or an Assistant Controller or the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, of the Depositor, and delivered to the appropriate Trustee. One of
the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 816
shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the
Depositor. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
Certificate;
<PAGE>
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing of legal counsel, who
may be counsel for the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or the
Depositor, but not an employee of any thereof, and who shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Property Trustee.
"Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Recitals
to this Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Preferred Securities, means,
as of the date of determination, all Preferred Securities theretofore executed
and delivered under this Trust Agreement, except:
(a Preferred securities theretofore canceled by the Property Trustee
or delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Preferred Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee or any
Paying Agent for the Holders of such Preferred Securities; provided that, if
such Preferred Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been
duly given pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(c) Preferred Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in
lieu of which other Preferred Securities have been executed and delivered
pursuant to Sections 504, 505, 511 and 513; provided, however, that in
determining whether the Holders of the requisite Liquidation Amount of the
Outstanding Preferred Securities have given any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Preferred Securities owned by
the Depositor, any Trustee or any Affiliate of the Depositor or any Trustee
shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that (a) in
determining whether any Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only
Preferred Securities that such Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded; and (b) the foregoing shall not apply at any time when all of the
outstanding Preferred Securities are owned by the Depositor, one or more of the
Trustees and/or any such Affiliate. Preferred Securities so owned which have
been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee
establishes to the satisfaction of the Administrative Trustees the pledgee's
right so to the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed
pursuant to Section 509 and shall initially be the Bank.
"Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate
trust account maintained by the Property Trustee with the Bank in its trust
department for the benefit of the Securityholders in which all amounts paid in
respect of the Debentures shall be held and from which the Property Trustee
shall make payments to the Securityholders in accordance with Sections 401 and
402.
<PAGE>
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, limited liability company or corporation, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the rights
provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive
Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Preferred Securities Certificate", means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Preferred Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
E.
"Property Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company
identified as the "Property Trustee," in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement
solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of the Trust heretofore formed and
continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in
interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as herein
provided.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust
Agreement; provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity
of the Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like Amount of Trust
Securities.
"Redemption Price" means, with respect to any Trust Security, the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the Redemption Date, paid by the Depositor upon the concurrent
redemption of a Like Amount of Debentures, allocated on a pro rata basis (based
on Liquidation Amounts) among the Trust Securities.
"Relevant Trustee" shall have the meaning specified in Section 810.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 504.
"Securityholder" or "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust
Security or Securities is registered in the Securities Register; any such Person
is a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
"Trust" means the Delaware business trust created and continued hereby
and identified on the cover page to this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as
the same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the
applicable provisions hereof, including all exhibits hereto, including, for all
purposes of this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or
supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or
supplement, respectively.
<PAGE>
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed;
provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent
required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures; (b) the rights of the
Property Trustee under the Guarantee; (c) any cash on deposit in, or owing to,
the Payment Account; and (d) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing
and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held
by the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the
Preferred Securities.
"Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities
Certificates or the Preferred Securities Certificates.
"Trustees" means, collectively, the Property Trustee, the Delaware
Trustee and the Administrative Trustees.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of
January 29, 1997 and amended as of January 30, 1997, among the Trust, the
Depositor and the Underwriters named therein.
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST
Section 201. Name.
The Trust created and continued hereby shall be known as "First
Preferred Capital Trust," as such name may be modified from time to time by the
Administrative Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Trust
Securities and the other Trustees, in which name the Trustees may engage in the
transactions contemplated hereby, make and execute contracts and other
instruments on behalf of the Trust and sue and be sued.
Section 202. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of
Business.
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is c/o
Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or
such other address in the State of Delaware as the Delaware Trustee may
designate by written notice to the Securityholders and the Depositor. The
principal executive office of the Trust is c/o First Banks, Inc., 135 North
Meramec Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63105.
Section 203. Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational
Expenses.
The Trustees acknowledge receipt in trust from the Depositor in
connection with the Original Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which
<PAGE>
constituted the initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay organizational
expenses of the Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Trustee,
promptly reimburse such Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Trustee. The
Depositor shall make no claim upon the Trust Property for the payment of such
expenses.
Section 204. Issuance of the Preferred Securities.
On January 29, 1997, the Depositor and an Administrative Trustee, on
behalf of the Trust and pursuant to the Original Trust Agreement, executed and
delivered the Underwriting Agreement. On January 30, 1997, the Depositor and an
Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust and pursuant to the Original
Trust Agreement, executed and delivered the First Amendment to the Underwriting
Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 502 and deliver in accordance with the Underwriting
Agreement, Preferred Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the
Persons entitled thereto, in an aggregate amount of $86,250,000 Preferred
Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $86,250,000 against receipt
of the aggregate purchase price of such Preferred Securities of $86,250,000,
which amount such Administrative Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Property
Trustee.
Section 205. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription and
Purchase of Debentures.
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 502 and deliver to the Depositor, Common Securities
Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an aggregate amount of
Common Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $2,667,550 against
payment by the Depositor of such amount. Contemporaneously therewith, an
Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall subscribe to and purchase
from the Depositor Debentures, registered in the name of the Property Trustee on
behalf of the Trust and having an aggregate principal amount equal to
$88,917,550, and, in satisfaction of the purchase price for such Debentures, the
Property Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the sum
of $88,917,550.
Section 206. Declaration of Trust.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the
Debentures; and (b) to engage in those activities necessary, convenient or
incidental thereto. The Depositor hereby appoints the Trustees as trustees of
the Trust, to have all the rights, powers and duties to the extent set forth
herein, and the Trustees hereby accept such appointment. The Property Trustee
hereby declares that it shall hold the Trust Property in trust upon and subject
to the conditions set forth herein for the benefit of the Securityholders. The
Administrative Trustees shall have all rights, powers and duties set forth
herein and in accordance with applicable law with respect to accomplishing the
purposes of the Trust. The Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise
any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and
responsibilities, of the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees set
forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the Trustees of the Trust for
<PAGE>
the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of
the Delaware Business Trust Act.
Section 207. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.
(a) The Trustees shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance
with the terms of this Trust Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph (b) of this Section 207 and Article VIII, and in accordance with the
following provisions (i) and (ii), the Administrative Trustees shall have the
authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the
Administrative Trustees to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express
or implied, otherwise granted to the Administrative Trustees under this Trust
Agreement, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without
limitation, the following:
(i)......As among the Trustees, each Administrative Trustee,
acting singly or jointly, shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of
the Trust with respect to the following matters:
.........(A) the issuance and sale of the Trust Securities;
.........(B) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to
execute, deliver and perform on behalf of the Trust, the Expense Agreement
and such other agreements or documents as may be necessary or desirable in
connection with the purposes and function of the Trust;
.........(C) assisting in the registration of the Preferred
Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under state
securities or blue sky laws, and the qualification of this Trust Agreement
as a trust indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
.........(D) assisting in the listing of the Preferred
Securities upon The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or such securities
exchange or exchanges as shall be determined by the Depositor and the
registration of the Preferred Securities under the Exchange Act, and the
preparation and filing of all periodic and other reports and other documents
pursuant to the foregoing;
.........(E) the sending of notices (other than notices of
default) and other information regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures
to the Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
.........(F) the appointment of a Paying Agent,
authenticating agent and Securities Registrar in accordance with this Trust
Agreement;
.........(G) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement,
the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the
preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
.........(H) to take all action that may be necessary or
appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid
existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under
the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such
existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the
Trust was created; and
<PAGE>
.........(I) the taking of any action incidental to the
foregoing as the Administrative Trustees may from time to time determine is
necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement for
the benefit of the Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any
such action on any particular Securityholder).
(ii).....As among the Trustees, the Property Trustee shall have the
power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the
following matters:
.........(A) the establishment of the Payment Account;
.........(B) the receipt of the Debentures;
.........(C) the collection of interest, principal and
any other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Payment Account;
.........(D) the distribution of amounts owed to the
Securityholders in respect of the Trust Securities in accordance with the terms
of this Trust Agreement;
.........(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers
and privileges of a holder of the Debentures;
.........(F) the sending of notices of default and other
information regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures to the
Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
.........(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in
accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement;
.........(H) to the extent provided in this Trust
Agreement, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust;
.........(I) after an Event of Default, the taking of any
action incidental to the foregoing as the Property Trustee may from time to time
determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Trust
Agreement and protect and conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the
Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any
particular Securityholder);
.........(J) registering transfers of the Trust
Securities in accordance with this Trust Agreement; and
.........(K) except as otherwise provided in this Section
207(a)(ii), the Property Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities,
powers or the authority of the Administrative Trustees set forth in Section
207(a)(i).
(b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Trust (or
the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business,
activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated
hereby. In particular, the Trustees shall not (i) acquire any investments or
engage in any activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement; (ii) sell,
assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of
any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Securityholders,
<PAGE>
except as expressly provided herein; (iii) take any action that would cause the
Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a "grantor trust" for United States federal
income tax purposes; (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any
other debt; or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the
placement of a Lien on any of the Trust Property. The Administrative Trustees
shall defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any Lien
on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the
Securityholders in their capacity as Securityholders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities,
the Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with
respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions
taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this
Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(i)......the preparation and filing by the Trust with the
Commission and the execution on behalf of the Trust of a registration statement
on the appropriate form in relation to the Preferred Securities and the
Debentures, including any amendments thereto;
(ii).....the determination of the states in which to take
appropriate action to qualify or, register for sale all or part of the Preferred
Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be
taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and advise the Trustees of actions they must
take on behalf of the Trust, and prepare for execution and filing any documents
to be executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the
Depositor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable
laws of any such States;
(iii)....the preparation for filing by the Trust and execution
on behalf of the Trust of an application to The Nasdaq Stock Market's National
Market or a national stock exchange or other organizations for listing upon
notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities and to file or cause an
Administrative Trustee to file thereafter with such exchange or organization
such notifications and documents as may be necessary from time to time;
(iv).....the preparation for filing by the Trust with the
Commission and the execution on behalf of the Trust of a registration statement
on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under
Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto;
(v)......the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution
and delivery of, the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the
Preferred Securities; and
(vi).....the taking of any other actions necessary or
desirable to carry out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative
Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to
operate the Trust so that the Trust shall not be deemed to be an "investment
company" required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, shall be
classified as a "grantor trust" and not as an association taxable as a
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the
Debentures shall be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for United States
<PAGE>
federal income tax purposes. In this connection, subject to Section 1002, the
Depositor and the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law or this Trust Agreement, that each of the
Depositor and the Administrative Trustees determines in their discretion to be
necessary or desirable for such purposes.
Section 208. Assets of Trust.
The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.
Section 209. Title to Trust Property.
Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Securityholders in accordance with
this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE III.
PAYMENT ACCOUNT
Section 301. Payment Account.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall
establish the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and any agent of the
Property Trustee shall have exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal with
respect to the Payment Account for the purpose of making deposits and
withdrawals from the Payment Account in accordance with this Trust Agreement.
All monies and other property deposited or held from time to time in the Payment
Account shall be held by the Property Trustee in the Payment Account for the
exclusive benefit of the Securityholders and for distribution as herein
provided, including (and subject to) any priority of payments provided for
herein.
(b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly
upon receipt, all payments of principal of or interest on, and any other
payments or proceeds with respect to, the Debentures. Amounts held in the
Payment Account shall not be invested by the Property Trustee pending
distribution thereof.
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
Section 401. Distributions.
(a) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative, and
shall accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Trust available for the
payment of Distributions. Distributions shall accumulate from February 4, 1997,
and, except during any Extended Interest Payment Period with respect to the
Debentures, shall be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on March 31, 1997. If any
date on which a Distribution is otherwise payable on the Trust Securities is not
a Business Day, then the payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
<PAGE>
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 this
Section 401(a), a "Distribution Date").
(b) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in
the Trust Property, and, as a practical matter, the Distributions on the Trust
Securities shall be payable at a rate of 9.25% per annum of the Liquidation
Amount of the Trust Securities. The amount of Distributions payable for any full
period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
The amount of Distributions for any partial period shall be computed on the
basis of the number of days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30 day months.
During any Extended Interest Payment Period with respect to the Debentures,
Distributions on the Preferred Securities shall be deferred for a period equal
to the Extended Interest Payment Period. The amount of Distributions payable for
any period shall include the Additional Amounts, if any.
(c) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be made by the Property
Trustee solely from the Payment Account and shall be payable on each
Distribution Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds then on hand and
immediately available by 12:30 p.m. on each Distribution Date in the Payment
Account for the payment of such Distributions.
(d) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a
Distribution Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the
Securities Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which
shall be the 15th day of the month in which the Distribution is payable.
Section 402. Redemption.
(a) On each Debenture Redemption Date and on the stated maturity of the
Debentures, the Trust shall be required to redeem a Like Amount of Trust
Securities at the Redemption Price.
(b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed,
at such Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. The Property
Trustee shall have no responsibility for the accuracy of any CUSIP number
contained in such notice. All notices of redemption shall state:
(i)......the Redemption Date;
(ii).....the Redemption Price;
(iii)....the CUSIP number;
(iv).....if less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are
to be redeemed, the identification and the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
particular Trust Securities to be redeemed; and
(v)......that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption
Price shall become due and payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed
and that Distributions thereon shall cease to accumulate on and after said
date.
<PAGE>
(c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be
redeemed at the Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of Debentures. Redemptions of the Trust Securities shall be made and
the Redemption Price shall be payable on each Redemption Date only to the extent
that the Trust has immediately available funds then on hand and available in the
Payment Account for the payment of such Redemption Price.
(d) If the Property Trustee gives a notice of redemption in respect of
any Preferred Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
Redemption Date, subject to Section 402(c), the Property Trustee shall deposit
with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price
and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay
the Redemption Price to the Holders thereof upon surrender of their Preferred
Securities Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on
or prior to the Redemption Date for any Trust Securities called for redemption
shall be payable to the Holders of such Trust Securities as they appear on the
Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of
Securityholders holding Trust Securities so called for redemption shall cease,
except the right of such Securityholders to receive the Redemption Price and any
Distribution payable on or prior to the Redemption Date, but without interest,
and such Securities shall cease to be Outstanding. In the event that any date on
which any Redemption Price is payable is not a Business Day, then payment of the
Redemption Price payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day
that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such date. In the
event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Trust Securities
called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by
the Trust or by the Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such
Trust Securities shall continue to accumulate, at the then applicable rate, from
the Redemption Date originally established by the Trust for such Trust
Securities to the date such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the
actual payment date shall be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of
calculating the Redemption Price.
(e) Payment of the Redemption Price on the Trust Securities shall be
made to the record holders thereof as they appear on the Securities Register for
the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which shall be the date 15
days prior to the relevant Redemption Date.
(f) Subject to Section 403(a), if less than all the Outstanding Trust
Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated on a
pro rata basis (based on Liquidation Amounts) among the Common Securities and
the Preferred Securities. The particular Preferred Securities to be redeemed
shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the
Property Trustee from the outstanding Preferred Securities not previously called
for redemption, by such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the
Property Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions (equal to $25 or an integral multiple of
$25 in excess thereof) of the Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities of a
denomination larger than $25. The Property Trustee shall promptly notify the
Securities Registrar in writing of the Preferred Securities selected for
redemption and, in the case of any Preferred Securities selected for partial
<PAGE>
redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of
this Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions
relating to the redemption of Preferred Securities shall relate, in the case of
any Preferred Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.
Section 403. Subordination of Common Securities.
(a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if
applicable) on, and the Redemption Price of, the Trust Securities, as
applicable, shall be made, subject to Section 402(f), pro rata among the Common
Securities and the Preferred Securities based on the Liquidation Amount of the
Trust Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or
Redemption Date any Event of Default resulting from a Debenture Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, any Common
Security, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or
other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in
cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions (including Additional Amounts,
if applicable) on all Outstanding Preferred Securities for all Distribution
periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the
Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption Price on all Outstanding
Preferred Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or
provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Property Trustee shall
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or the Redemption Price of, Preferred
Securities then due and payable.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of any Event of Default resulting
from a Debenture Event of Default, the Holder of Common Securities shall be
deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default
under this Trust Agreement until the effect of all such Events of Default with
respect to the Preferred Securities shall have been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until any such Event of Default under this Trust Agreement with
respect to the Preferred Securities shall have been so cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and not the Holder of the Common Securities,
and only the Holders of the Preferred Securities shall have the right to direct
the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
Section 404. Payment Procedures.
Payments of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable)
in respect of the Preferred Securities shall be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the
Securities Register. Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made
in such manner as shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the
Common Securityholder.
Section 405. Tax Returns and Reports.
The Administrative Trustees shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at
the Depositor's expense, and file all United States federal, state and local tax
and information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the
Trust. In this regard, the Administrative Trustees shall (a) prepare and file
<PAGE>
(or cause to be prepared and filed) the appropriate Internal Revenue Service
Form required to be filed in respect of the Trust in each taxable year of the
Trust; and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to
each Securityholder the appropriate Internal Revenue Service form required to be
furnished to such Securityholder or the information required to be provided on
such form. The Administrative Trustees shall provide the Depositor with a copy
of all such returns and reports promptly after such filing or furnishing. The
Property Trustee shall comply with United States federal withholding and backup
withholding tax laws and information reporting requirements with respect to any
payments to Securityholders under the Trust Securities.
Section 406. Payment of Taxes, Duties, etc. of the Trust.
Upon receipt under the Debentures of Additional Interest (as defined in
Section 1.1 of the Indenture), the Property Trustee, at the direction of an
Administrative Trustee or the Depositor, shall promptly pay any taxes, duties or
governmental charges of whatsoever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed
on the Trust by the United States or any other taxing authority.
Section 407. Payments Under Indenture.
Any amount payable hereunder to any Holder of Preferred Securities
shall be reduced by the amount of any corresponding payment such Holder has
directly received under the Indenture pursuant to Section 514(b) or (c) hereof.
ARTICLE V
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
Section 501. Initial.
Upon the creation of the Trust and the contribution by the Depositor
pursuant to Section 203 and until the issuance of the Trust Securities, and at
any time during which no Trust Securities are outstanding, the Depositor shall
be the sole beneficial owner of the Trust.
Section 502. The Trust Securities.
The Preferred Securities Certificates shall be issued in minimum
denominations of $25 Liquidation Amount and integral multiples of $25 in excess
thereof, and the Common Securities Certificates shall be issued in denominations
of $25 Liquidation Amount and integral multiples thereof. The Trust Securities
Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Trust by manual or facsimile
signature of at least one Administrative Trustee. Trust Securities Certificates
bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were, at the time
when such signatures shall have been affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of
the Trust, shall be validly issued and entitled to the benefits of this Trust
Agreement, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them shall have
ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Trust Securities
Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of delivery of such Trust
Securities Certificates. A transferee of a Trust Securities Certificate shall
become a Securityholder, and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the
<PAGE>
obligations of a Securityholder hereunder, upon due registration of such Trust
Securities Certificate in such transferee's name pursuant to Sections 504, 511
and 513.
Section 503. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Trust
Securities Certificates.
(a) On the Closing Date and on the date on which the Underwriter
exercises the option, as applicable (the "Option Closing Date"), the
Administrative Trustees shall cause Trust Securities Certificates, in an
aggregate Liquidation Amount as provided in Sections 204 and 205, to be executed
on behalf of the Trust by at least one of the Administrative Trustees and
delivered to or upon the written order of the Depositor, signed by its Chief
Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer without further corporate action by the Depositor, in authorized
denominations.
(b) A Preferred Securities Certificate shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property
Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Preferred
Securities Certificate has been authenticated under this Trust Agreement. Each
Preferred Security Certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication.
Upon the written order of the Trust signed by the Administrative
Trustee, the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
the Preferred Securities Certificates.
The Property Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent acceptable to
the Trust to authenticate the Preferred Securities. An Authenticating Agent may
authenticate the Preferred Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do so.
Each reference in this Trust Agreement to authentication by the Property Trustee
includes authentication by such agent. An Authenticating Agent has the same
rights as the Property Trustee to deal with the Company or the Trust.
Section 504. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates.
(a) The Depositor shall keep or cause to be kept, at the office or
agency maintained pursuant to Section 508, a register or registers for the
purpose of registering Trust Securities Certificates and transfers and exchanges
of Preferred Securities Certificates (herein referred to as the "Securities
Register") in which the registrar designated by the Depositor (the "Securities
Registrar"), subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, shall
provide for the registration of Preferred Securities Certificates and Common
Securities Certificates (subject to Section 510 in the case of the Common
Securities Certificates) and registration of transfers and exchanges of
Preferred Securities Certificates as herein provided. The Property Trustee shall
be the initial Securities Registrar.
(b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Preferred
Securities Certificate at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section
508, the Administrative Trustees or any one of them shall execute and deliver,
in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new
Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of a like
aggregate Liquidation Amount dated the date of execution by such Administrative
Trustee or Trustees. The Securities Registrar shall not be required to register
<PAGE>
the transfer of any Preferred Securities that have been called for redemption.
At the option of a Holder, Preferred Securities Certificates may be exchanged
for other Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of the
same class and of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount upon surrender of the
Preferred Securities Certificates to be exchanged at the office or agency
maintained pursuant to Section 508.
(c) Every Preferred Securities Certificate presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Property Trustee and the
Securities Registrar duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized
in writing. Each Preferred Securities Certificate surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange shall be canceled and subsequently disposed of by the
Property Trustee in accordance with its customary practice. The Trust shall not
be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Preferred
Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 calendar days
before the date of mailing of a notice of redemption of any Preferred Securities
called for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such
mailing; or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Preferred Securities
so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any such Preferred Securities being redeemed in part.
(d) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates, but the Securities Registrar may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates.
Section 505. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates.
If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities certificate shall be surrendered
to the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive
evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust
Securities Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities
Registrar and the Administrative Trustees such security or indemnity as may be
required by them to save each of them harmless, then in the absence of notice
that such Trust Securities Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, on behalf of the
Trust shall execute and make available for delivery, in exchange for or in lieu
of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Trust Securities Certificate, a
new Trust Securities Certificate of like class, tenor and denomination. In
connection with the issuance of any new Trust Securities Certificate under this
Section 505, the Administrative Trustees or the Securities Registrar may require
the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Trust Securities
Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 505 shall constitute conclusive
evidence of an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, as if
originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Trust Securities
Certificate shall be found at any time.
Section 506. Persons Deemed Securityholders.
The Trustees, the Paying Agent and the Securities Registrar shall treat
the Person in whose name any Trust Securities Certificate shall be registered in
<PAGE>
the Securities Register as the owner of such Trust Securities Certificate for
the purpose of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever,
and neither the Trustees nor the Securities Registrar shall be bound by any
notice to the contrary.
Section 507. Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses.
At any time when the Property Trustee is not also acting as the
Securities Registrar, the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor shall furnish
or cause to be furnished to the Property Trustee (a) semi-annually on or before
January 15 and July 15 in each year, a list, in such form as the Property
Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Securityholders as of the most recent record date; and (b) promptly after
receipt by any Administrative Trustee or the Depositor of a request therefor
from the Property Trustee in order to enable the Property Trustee to discharge
its obligations under this Trust Agreement, in each case to the extent such
information is in the possession or control of the Administrative Trustees or
the Depositor and is not identical to a previously supplied list or has not
otherwise been received by the Property Trustee in its capacity as Securities
Registrar. The rights of Securityholders to communicate with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Trust Agreement or under
the Trust Securities, and the corresponding rights of the Trustee shall be as
provided in the Trust Indenture Act. Each Holder, by receiving and holding a
Trust Securities Certificate, and each owner shall be deemed to have agreed not
to hold the Depositor, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees
accountable by reason of the disclosure of its name and address, regardless of
the source from which such information was derived.
Section 508. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Administrative Trustees shall maintain in The City of New York or
other location designated by the Administrative Trustees, an office or offices
or agency or agencies where Preferred Securities Certificates may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Trustees in respect of the Trust Securities Certificates may be served.
The Administrative Trustees initially designate the Corporate Trust Office of
the Property Trustee, Two International Place, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, as the principal corporate trust office for such purposes. The
Administrative Trustees shall give prompt written notice to the Depositor and to
the Securityholders of any change in the location of the Securities Register or
any such office or agency.
Section 509. Appointment of Paying Agent.
The Property Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent. The Paying Agent
shall make Distributions to Securityholders from the Payment Account and shall
report the amounts of such Distributions to the Property Trustee and the
Administrative Trustees. Any Paying Agent shall have the revocable power to
withdraw funds from the Payment Account for the purpose of making the
Distributions referred to above. The Administrative Trustees may revoke such
power and remove the Paying Agent if such Trustees determine in their sole
discretion that the Paying Agent shall have failed to perform its obligations
under this Trust Agreement in any material respect. The Paying Agent shall
initially be the Property Trustee, and any co-paying agent chosen by the
Property Trustee, and acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the
Depositor. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as
<PAGE>
Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Depositor. In the event that the Property Trustee shall
no longer be the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent shall resign or its
authority to act be revoked, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a
successor that is acceptable to the Property Trustee and the Depositor to act as
Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company). The Administrative
Trustees shall cause such successor Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent
appointed by the Administrative Trustees to execute and deliver to the Trustees
an instrument in which such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustees that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying Agent
or additional Paying Agent shall hold all sums, if any, held by it for payment
to the Securityholders in trust for the benefit of the Securityholders entitled
thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Securityholders. The Paying Agent
shall return all unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and, upon removal of a
Paying Agent, such Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to
the Property Trustee. The provisions of Sections 801, 803 and 806 shall apply to
the Property Trustee also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the
Property Trustee shall act as Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any
other paying agent appointed hereunder. Any reference in this Agreement to the
Paying Agent shall include any co-paying agent unless the context requires
otherwise.
Section 510. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.
On the Closing Date, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial
and record ownership of the Common Securities. To the fullest extent permitted
by law, any attempted transfer of the Common Securities (other than a transfer
in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Depositor into another
corporation pursuant to Section 12.1 of the Indenture) shall be void. The
Administrative Trustees shall cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to
the Depositor to contain a legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT
TRANSFERABLE".
Section 511. Preferred Securities Certificates.
(a) Each owner shall receive a Preferred Securities Certificate
representing such owner's interest in such Preferred Securities. Upon the
issuance of Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates, the Trustees shall
recognize the record holders of the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates
as Securityholders. The Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates shall be
printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by the
execution thereof by the Administrative Trustees or any one of them.
(b) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common
Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common
Securities Certificate.
Section 512. [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 513. [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 514. Rights of Securityholders.
<PAGE>
(a) The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 209, and
the Securityholders shall not have any right or title therein other than the
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their
Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below.
The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights
specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust Securities
shall have no preemptive or similar rights. When issued and delivered to Holders
of the Preferred Securities against payment of the purchase price therefor, the
Preferred Securities shall be fully paid and nonassessable interests in the
Trust. The Holders of the Preferred Securities, in their capacities as such,
shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
(b) For so long as any Preferred Securities remain Outstanding, if,
upon a Debenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of
not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to
declare the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and
payable, the Holders of at least 25% in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities then Outstanding shall have such right by a notice in writing to the
Depositor and the Debenture Trustee; and upon any such declaration such
principal amount of and the accrued interest on all of the Debentures shall
become immediately due and payable, provided that the payment of principal and
interest on such Debentures shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in
the Indenture.
(c) For so long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if,
upon a Debenture Event of Default arising from the failure to pay interest or
principal on the Debentures, the Holders of any Preferred Securities then
Outstanding shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have the right to
directly institute proceedings for enforcement of payment to such Holders of
principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to
the Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities of such Holders.
ARTICLE VI
ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING
Section 601. Limitations on Voting Rights.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 601, in Sections 514, 810 and
1002 and in the Indenture and as otherwise required by law, no Holder of
Preferred Securities shall have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise
control the administration, operation and management of the Trust or the
obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein set forth, or
contained in the terms of the Trust Securities Certificates, be construed so as
to constitute the Securityholders from time to time as partners or members of an
association.
(b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
<PAGE>
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any
trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to such
Debentures; (ii) waive any past default which is waivable under Article VII of
the Indenture; (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that
the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable; or (iv) consent to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures,
where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation Amount of all
Outstanding Preferred Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under
the Indenture would require the consent of each Holder of Outstanding Debentures
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without
the prior written consent of each holder of Preferred Securities. The Trustees
shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the
Holders of the Outstanding Preferred Securities, except by a subsequent vote of
the Holders of the Outstanding Preferred Securities. The Property Trustee shall
notify each Holder of the Outstanding Preferred Securities of any notice of
default received from the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures. In
addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall, at
the expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that the Trust shall continue to be classified as a
grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation for United
States federal income tax purposes on account of such action.
(c) If any proposed amendment to the Trust Agreement provides for, or
the Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely
affect in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Preferred Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Trust Agreement or
otherwise; or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust,
other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement, then the Holders of
Outstanding Preferred Securities as a class shall be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities. No amendment to this Trust
Agreement may be made if, as a result of such amendment, the Trust would cease
to be classified as a grantor trust or would be classified as an association
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
Section 602. Notice of Meetings.
Notice of all meetings of the Preferred Securityholders, stating the
time, place and purpose of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee
pursuant to Section 1008 to each Preferred Securityholder of record, at his
registered address, at least 15 days and not more than 90 days before the
meeting. At any such meeting, any business properly before the meeting may be so
considered whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned
meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
Section 603. Meetings of Preferred Securityholders.
(a) No annual meeting of Securityholders is required to be held. The
Administrative Trustees, however, shall call a meeting of Securityholders to
vote on any matter in respect of which Preferred Securityholders are entitled to
vote upon the written request of the Preferred Securityholders of 25% of the
<PAGE>
Outstanding Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount)
and the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee may, at any time in
their discretion, call a meeting of Preferred Securityholders to vote on any
matters as to which the Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote.
(b) Preferred Securityholders of record of 50% of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount), present in
person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of Securityholders.
(c) If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote by the
Preferred Securityholders of record present, in person or by proxy, holding more
than a majority of the Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate
Liquidation Amount) held by the Preferred Securityholders of record present,
either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall constitute the action of the
Securityholders, unless this Trust Agreement requires a greater number of
affirmative votes.
Section 604. Voting Rights.
Securityholders shall be entitled to one vote for each $25 of
Liquidation Amount represented by their Trust Securities in respect of any
matter as to which such Securityholders are entitled to vote.
Section 605. Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Securityholders, any Securityholder entitled to vote
thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy, shall be voted at any meeting
unless it shall have been placed on file with the Administrative Trustees, or
with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Administrative Trustees may
direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken.
When Trust Securities are held jointly by several persons, any one of them may
vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Trust Securities,
but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person or by
proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote
to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Trust Securities.
A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Securityholder shall be
deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and, the burden of
proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. No proxy shall be valid more
than three years after its date of execution.
Section 606. Securityholder Action by Written Consent.
Any action which may be taken by Securityholders at a meeting may be
taken without a meeting if Securityholders holding more than a majority of all
Outstanding Trust Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount)
entitled to vote in respect of such action (or such larger proportion thereof as
shall be required by any express provision of this Trust Agreement) shall
consent to the action in writing (based upon their aggregate Liquidation
Amount).
Section 607. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes.
For the purposes of determining the Securityholders who are entitled to
notice of and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in
any Distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is
<PAGE>
not otherwise provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any
other action, the Administrative Trustees may from time to time fix a date, not
more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Securityholders or the
payment of Distribution or other action, as the case may be, as a record date
for the determination of the identity of the Securityholders of record for such
purposes.
Section 608. Acts of Securityholders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be
given, made or taken by Securityholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one
or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such
Securityholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments are delivered to an Administrative Trustee. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders
signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such
instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any
purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section 801) conclusive in favor
of the Trustees, if made in the manner provided in this Section 608.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which any Trustee receiving the same deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Preferred Securities shall be proved by the
Securities Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act of the Securityholder of any Trust Security shall bind every
future Securityholder of the same Trust Security and the Securityholder of every
Trust Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to
be done by the Trustees or the Trust in reliance thereon, whether or not
notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.
(e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Securityholder entitled hereunder
to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do
so with regard to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust
Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so
pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such liquidation
amount.
(f) A Securityholder may institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Depositor under the Guarantee to enforce its rights under the Guarantee
<PAGE>
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee (as
defined in the Guarantee), the Trust or any Person.
Section 609. Inspection of.
Upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Trustees and the Property
Trustee, the records of the Trust shall be open to inspection and copying by
Securityholders and their authorized representatives during normal business
hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Securityholder's interest as a
Securityholder.
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 701. Representations and Warranties of the Bank and the
Property Trustee.
The Bank and the Property Trustee, each severally on behalf of and as
to itself, as of the date hereof, and each Successor Property Trustee at the
time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as
Property Trustee hereunder (the term "Bank" being used to refer to such
Successor Property Trustee in its separate corporate capacity) hereby represents
and warrants (as applicable) for the benefit of the Depositor and the
Securityholders that:
(a) the Bank is a trust company duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(b) the Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement and has
taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by it of this Trust Agreement;
(c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee and constitutes the valid and legally binding
agreement of the Property Trustee enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors, rights and to general equity principles;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
other action on the part of the Property Trustee and does not require any
approval of stockholders of the Bank and such execution, delivery and
performance shall not (i) violate the Bank's charter or by-laws; (ii) violate
any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a
default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any
properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any
indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument
to which the Property Trustee or the Bank is a party or by which it is bound; or
(iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United States or
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the case may be, governing the banking or
trust powers of the Bank or the Property Trustee (as appropriate in context) or
any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Property Trustee or the Bank;
<PAGE>
(e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Property
Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
by the Property Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or
approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any
other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Bank or the
Property Trustee, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States or the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
(f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Property
Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Bank or the Property
Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or arbitration
board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would materially and
adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and authority of
the Property Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as one of the
Trustees under this Trust Agreement.
Section 702. Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Bank and
the Delaware Trustee.
The Delaware Bank and the Delaware Trustee, each severally on behalf of
and as to itself, as of the date hereof, and each Successor Delaware Trustee at
the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of appointment as
Delaware Trustee hereunder (the term "Delaware Bank" being used to refer to such
Successor Delaware Trustee in its separate corporate capacity), hereby
represents and warrants (as applicable) for the benefit of the Depositor and the
Securityholders that:
(a) the Delaware Bank is a Delaware banking corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware;
(b) the Delaware Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal
right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement
and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance by it of this Trust Agreement;
(c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Delaware Trustee and constitutes the valid and legally binding
agreement of the Delaware Trustee enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors, rights and to general equity principles;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
other action on the part of the Delaware Trustee and does not require any
approval of stockholders of the Delaware Bank and such execution, delivery and
performance shall not (i) violate the Delaware Bank's charter or by-laws; (ii)
violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of
time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on
any properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any
indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument
to which the Delaware Bank or the Delaware Trustee is a party or by which it is
<PAGE>
bound; or (iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United
States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the banking or
trust powers of the Delaware Bank or the Delaware Trustee (as appropriate in
context) or any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Delaware Bank or the
Delaware Trustee;
(e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Delaware
Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
by the Delaware Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or
approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any
other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Bank
or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States
or the State of Delaware; and
(f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Delaware
Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Delaware Bank or the
Delaware Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or
arbitration board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would
materially and adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and
authority of the Delaware Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as
one of the Trustees under this Trust Agreement.
Section 703. Representations and Warranties of Depositor.
The Depositor hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Securityholders that:
(a) the Trust Securities Certificates issued on the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, if applicable, on behalf of the Trust have been duly
authorized and, shall have been, duly and validly executed, issued and delivered
by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms and provisions of, and in
accordance with the requirements of, this Trust Agreement and the
Securityholders shall be, as of such date, entitled to the benefits of this
Trust Agreement; and
(b) there are no taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by
the Trust (or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust) under the laws of the State
of Delaware or any political subdivision thereof in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance by the Bank, the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
TRUSTEES
Section 801. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees shall be as
provided by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of the Property Trustee, by
the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Trust Agreement shall require the Trustees to expend or risk their own funds or
otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their
duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers, if they
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it. No Administrative Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be liable for its
<PAGE>
act or omissions hereunder except as a result of its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Property Trustee's liability shall be determined under
the Trust Indenture Act. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the
liability of or affording protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the
provisions of this Section 801. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the
Delaware Trustee or an Administrative Trustee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to the Securityholders,
the Delaware Trustee or such Administrative Trustee shall not be liable to the
Trust or to any Securityholder for such Trustee's good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Trust Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to
the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee
or the Administrative Trustees otherwise existing at law or in equity, are
agreed by the Depositor and the Securityholders to replace such other duties and
liabilities of the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, as the case
may be.
(b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent in
respect of the Trust Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds
from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient
revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Property Trustee or a
Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. With respect
to the relationship of each Securityholder and the Trustee, each Securityholder,
by its acceptance of a Trust Security, agrees that it shall look solely to the
revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for
distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees are not personally
liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Trust Security or
for any other liability in respect of any Trust Security. This Section 801(b)
does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in
this Trust Agreement or, in the case of the Property Trustee, in the Trust
Indenture Act.
(c) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve
the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i)......the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any
error of judgment made in good faith by an authorized officer of the Property
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(ii).....the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect
to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Trust Securities relating to the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this
Trust Agreement;
(iii)....the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the
custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the
Payment Account shall be to deal with such Property in a similar manner as the
Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the
protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under
this Trust Agreement and the Trust Indenture Act;
<PAGE>
(iv).....the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any
interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the
Depositor and money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds held by it except in relation to the Payment Account maintained by
the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 301 and except to the extent otherwise
required by law; and
(v)......the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for
monitoring the compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor with
their respective duties under this Trust Agreement, nor shall the Property
Trustee be liable for the negligence, default or misconduct of the
Administrative Trustees or the Depositor.
Section 802. Certain Notices.
(a) Within 5 Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit, in
the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1008, notice of such Event of
Default to the Securityholders, the Administrative Trustees and the Depositor,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. For purposes of
this Section 802 the term "Event of Default" means any event that is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall transmit, to the Securityholders
in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1008, notice of the
Depositor's election to begin or further extend an Extended Interest Payment
Period on the Debentures (unless such election shall have been revoked) within
the time specified for transmitting such notice to the holders of the Debentures
pursuant to the Indenture as originally executed.
Section 803. Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 801:
(a) the Property Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, Opinion of Counsel,
certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of
auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) if (i) in performing its duties under this Trust Agreement the
Property Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action; or
(ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with other provisions contained
herein; or (iii) the Property Trustee is unsure of the application of any
provision of this Trust Agreement, then, except as to any matter as to which the
Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote under the terms of this Trust
Agreement, the Property Trustee shall deliver a notice to the Depositor
requesting written instructions of the Depositor as to the course of action to
be taken and the Property Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking
such action, as the Property Trustee shall be instructed in writing to take, or
to refrain from taking, by the Depositor; provided, however, that if the
Property Trustee does not receive such instructions of the Depositor within 10
<PAGE>
Business Days after it has delivered such notice, or such reasonably shorter
period of time set forth in such notice (which to the extent practicable shall
not be less than 2 Business Days), it may, but shall be under no duty to, take
or refrain from taking such action not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement as
it shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Securityholders, in
which event the Property Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad
faith, negligence or willful misconduct;
(c) any direction or act of the Depositor or the Administrative
Trustees contemplated by this Trust Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by
an Officers' Certificate;
(d) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be established before
undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee
(unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer's
Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by
the Depositor or the Administrative Trustees;
(e) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement, any filing under tax or securities laws or any filing
under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration
thereof;
(f) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its choice (which
counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice
of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith
and in reliance thereon and, in accordance with such advice, such counsel may be
counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its
employees; the Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Trust Agreement from any
court of competent jurisdiction;
(g) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or
direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Trust Agreement, unless
such Securityholders shall have offered to the Property Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(h) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Securityholders, but the
Property Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit;
(i) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its
agents or attorneys, provided that the Property Trustee shall be responsible for
its own negligence or recklessness with respect to selection of any agent or
attorney appointed by it hereunder;
<PAGE>
(j) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Property
Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Trust Securities
which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities as would be entitled to direct the
Property Trustee under the terms of the Trust Securities in respect of such
remedy, right or action; (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or
taking such other action until such instructions are received; and (iii) shall
be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions; and
(k) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is
discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement. No provision of this
Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Property
Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or
obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be
illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in
accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise
any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority
available to the Property Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
Section 804. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The Recitals contained herein and in the Trust Securities Certificates
shall be taken as the statements of the Trust, and the Trustees do not assume
any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees shall not be accountable
for the use or application by the Depositor of the proceeds of the Debentures.
Section 805. May Hold Securities.
Any Trustee or any other agent of any Trustee or the Trust, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Trust
Securities and, subject to Sections 808 and 813 and except as provided in the
definition of the term "Outstanding" in Article I, may otherwise deal with the
Trust with the same rights it would have if it were not a Trustee or such other
agent.
Section 806. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.
The Depositor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time reasonable compensation
for all services rendered by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Trust
<PAGE>
Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to such Trustee's negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct (or, in the case of the Administrative Trustees or the
Delaware Trustee, any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its, his or her gross negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct); and
(c) to indemnify each of the Trustees or any predecessor Trustee for,
and to hold the Trustees harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability,
penalty or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Trust
Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any
claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
powers or duties hereunder, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as
may be attributable to such Trustee's negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct (or, in the case of the Administrative Trustees or the Delaware
Trustee, any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to
its, his or her gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct).
No Trustee may claim any Lien or charge on Trust Property as a result
of any amount due pursuant to this Section 806.
Section 807. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of
Trustees.
(a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section
807, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition
so published. If at any time the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust
Securities shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 807, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article VIII.
(b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrative Trustees
hereunder with respect to the Trust Securities. Each Administrative Trustee
shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal
entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind that
entity.
(c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee with respect to the
Trust Securities. The Delaware Trustee shall either be (i) a natural person who
is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the State of Delaware; or (ii) a
legal entity with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and
that otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act
through one or more persons authorized to bind such entity.
<PAGE>
Section 808. Conflicting Interests.
If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest
within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust
Agreement.
Section 809. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.
(a) Unless 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
Property may at the time be located, the Depositor shall have power to appoint,
and upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor shall for
such purpose join with the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery and
performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint,
one or more Persons approved by the Property Trustee either to act as
co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any part of such Trust
Property, or to the extent required by law to act as separate trustee of any
such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the
instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the capacity
aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable,
subject to the other provisions of this Section 809. If the Depositor does not
join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so
to do, or in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment. Any
co-trustee or separate trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 809 shall
either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a resident of
the United States; or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business
in the United States that shall act through one or more persons authorized to
bind such entity.
(b) Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any
co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such
co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and
all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged, and delivered
by the Depositor.
(c) Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted
by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms,
namely:
(i)......The Trust Securities shall be executed and delivered
and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the
custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to
be deposited or pledged with, the Trustees specified hereunder, shall be
exercised, solely by such Trustees and not by such co-trustee or separate
trustee.
(ii).....The rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby
conferred or imposed upon the Property Trustee in respect of any property
covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or
performed by the Property Trustee or by the Property Trustee and such co-trustee
or separate trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing
such co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of
any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Property
Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event
<PAGE>
such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed by
such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(iii)....The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in
writing executed by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor, may
accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed
under this Section 809, and, in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall have the power to accept the
resignation of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without the
concurrence of the Depositor. Upon the written request of the Property Trustee,
the Depositor shall join with the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery
and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to
effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any co-trustee or
separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided
in this Section 809.
(iv).....No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shal
be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Property Trustee
or any other trustee hereunder.
(v)......The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason
of any act of a co-trustee or separate trustee.
(vi).....Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee
shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate
trustee.
Section 810. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the "Relevant Trustee")
and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article VIII shall
become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in
accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 811.
(b) Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Relevant
Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Trust Securities by giving
written notice thereof to the Securityholders. If the instrument of acceptance
by the successor Trustee required by Section 811 shall not have been delivered
to the Relevant Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of
resignation, the Relevant Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Depositor,
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant
Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities.
(c) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Common
Securityholder. If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may
be removed at such time by Act of the Holders of a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its
individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust). An Administrative Trustee may
be removed by the Common Securityholder at any time.
(d) If any Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting as Trustee, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of any Trustee for
any cause, at a time when no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder
delivered to the retiring Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or
<PAGE>
Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, and the successor
Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 811. If the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall resign, be removed or become
incapable of continuing to act as the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, at a time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securityholders, by Act of the
Securityholders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities
then Outstanding delivered to the retiring Relevant Trustee, shall promptly
appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Trust, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the
applicable requirements of Section 811. If an Administrative Trustee shall
resign, be removed or become incapable of acting as Administrative Trustee, at a
time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder delivered to an
Administrative Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Administrative
Trustee or Administrative Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the
Trust, and such successor Administrative Trustee or Administrative Trustees
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 811. If no successor
Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall have been so
appointed by the Common Securityholder or the Preferred Securityholders and
accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 811, any Securityholder
who has been a Securityholder of Trust Securities on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities.
(e) The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Securityholders in the manner provided in Section 1008 and shall give notice to
the Depositor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant
Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust office if it is the Property
Trustee.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Administrative Trustee or a Delaware Trustee who is
a natural person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Depositor, incompetent
or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity
may be filled by (a) the unanimous act of remaining Administrative Trustees if
there are at least two of them; or (b) otherwise by the Depositor (with the
successor in each case being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement
for Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 807).
Section 811. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant
Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, the retiring
Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust
Securities shall execute and deliver an instrument hereto wherein each successor
Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which shall contain such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to
vest in, each successor Relevant Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and
the Trust and upon the execution and delivery of such instrument the resignation
or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall become effective to the extent
provided therein and each such successor Relevant Trustee, without any further
<PAGE>
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts
and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities
and the Trust; but, on request of the Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee
such retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money
held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Trust.
(b) Upon request of any such successor Relevant Trustee, the Trust
shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in
and confirming to such successor Relevant Trustee all such rights, powers and
trusts referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
(c) No successor Relevant Trustee shall accept its appointment unless
at the time of such acceptance such successor Relevant Trustee shall be
qualified and eligible under this Article VIII.
Section 812. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business.
Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Relevant Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of such Relevant Trustee, shall be the successor of such Relevant Trustee
hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under
this Article VIII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 813. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or
Trust.
If and when the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be or
become a creditor of the Depositor or the Trust (or any other obligor upon the
Debentures or the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be subject to and shall take all actions
necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
regarding the collection of claims against the Depositor or Trust (or any such
other obligor).
Section 814. Reports by Property Trustee.
(a) Not later than July 15 of each year commencing with July 15, 1997,
the Property Trustee shall transmit to all Securityholders in accordance with
Section 1008, and to the Depositor, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with
respect to:
(i)......its eligibility under Section 807 or, in lieu
thereof, if to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible under
said Section, a written statement to such effect; and
(ii).....any change in the property and funds in its
possession as Property Trustee since the date of its last report and any action
taken by the Property Trustee in the performance of its duties hereunder which
<PAGE>
it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the
Trust Securities.
(b) In addition the Property Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders
such reports concerning the Property Trustee and its actions under this Trust
Agreement as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times
and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market, and each national securities exchange or other organization
upon which the Trust Securities are listed, and also with the Commission and the
Depositor.
Section 815. Reports to the Property Trustee.
The Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form,
in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act.
Section 816. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
Each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
Section 817. Number of Trustees.
(a) The number of Trustees shall be five, provided that the Holder of
all of the Common Securities by written instrument may increase or decrease the
number of Administrative Trustees. The Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee
may be the same Person.
(b) If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Administrative Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 817(a), or if the
number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 817(a), a vacancy shall
occur. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with
Section 810.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy,
incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate
to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative Trustees
shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an
Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 810, the Administrative
Trustees in office, regardless of their number (and notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement), shall have all the powers granted to the
Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the
Administrative Trustees by this Trust Agreement.
<PAGE>
Section 818. Delegation of Power.
(a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent
with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his
or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
207(a); and
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time
to time to such of their number or to the Depositor the doing of such things and
the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names
of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative Trustees may
deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable
law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
Section 819. Voting.
Except as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement, the consent or
approval of the Administrative Trustees shall require consent or approval by not
less than a majority of the Administrative Trustees, unless there are only two,
in which case both must consent.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
Section 901. Termination Upon Expiration Date.
Unless earlier dissolved, the Trust shall automatically dissolve on
March 31, 2051 (the "Expiration Date") subject to distribution of the Trust
Property in accordance with Section 904.
Section 902. Early Termination.
The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early
Termination Event:"
(a) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event in respect of, or the
dissolution or liquidation of, the Depositor;
(b) delivery of written direction to the Property Trustee by the
Depositor at any time (which direction is wholly optional and within the
discretion of the Depositor) to dissolve the Trust and distribute the Debentures
to Securityholders in exchange for the Preferred Securities in accordance with
Section 904;
(c) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities in connection
with the redemption of all of the Debentures; and
(d) an order for dissolution of the Trust shall have been entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction.
<PAGE>
Section 903. Termination.
The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Trustees and the
Trust created and continued hereby shall terminate upon the latest to occur of
the following: (a) the distribution by the Property Trustee to Securityholders
upon the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 904, or upon the
redemption of all of the Trust Securities pursuant to Section 402, of all
amounts required to be distributed hereunder upon the final payment of the Trust
Securities; (b) the payment of any expenses owed by the Trust; (c) the discharge
of all administrative duties of the Administrative Trustees, including the
performance of any tax reporting obligations with respect to the Trust or the
Securityholders; and (d) the filing of a Certificate of Cancellation by the
Administrative Trustee under the Business Trust Act.
Section 904. Liquidation.
(a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b), or (d)
of Section 902 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Trust shall be liquidated
by the Trustees as expeditiously as the Trustees determine to be possible by
distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, to each Securityholder a Like Amount of Debentures,
subject to Section 904(d). Notice of liquidation shall be given by the Property
Trustee by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the Liquidation Date to each Holder of Trust Securities at
such Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. All notices of
liquidation shall:
(i)......state the Liquidation Date;
(ii).....state that from and after the Liquidation Date, the
Trust Securities shall no longer be deemed to be Outstanding and any Trust
Securities Certificates not surrendered for exchange shall be deemed to
represent a Like Amount of Debentures; and
(iii)....provide such information with respect to the
mechanics by which Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for
Debentures, or, if Section 904(d) applies, receive a Liquidation Distribution,
as the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee shall deem appropriate.
(b) Except where Section 902(c) or 904(d) applies, in order to effect
the liquidation of the Trust and distribution of the Debentures to
Securityholders, the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for such
distribution (which shall be not more than 45 days prior to the Liquidation
Date) and, either itself acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of
a separate exchange agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem
appropriate to effect the distribution of Debentures in exchange for the
Outstanding Trust Securities Certificates.
(c) Except where Section 902(c) or 904(d) applies, after the
Liquidation Date, (i) the Trust Securities shall no longer be deemed to be
outstanding; (ii) certificates representing a Like Amount of Debentures shall be
issued to holders of Trust Securities Certificates upon surrender of such
certificates to the Administrative Trustees or their agent for exchange; (iii)
the Depositor shall use its reasonable efforts to have the Debentures listed on
The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or on such other securities exchange
or other organization as the Preferred Securities are then listed or traded;
(iv) any Trust Securities Certificates not so surrendered for exchange shall be
deemed to represent a Like Amount of Debentures, accruing interest at the rate
<PAGE>
provided for in the Debentures from the last Distribution Date on which a
Distribution was made on such Trust Securities Certificates until such
certificates are so surrendered (and until such certificates are so surrendered,
no payments of interest or principal shall be made to holders of Trust
Securities Certificates with respect to such Debentures); and (v) all rights of
Securityholders holding Trust Securities shall cease, except the right of such
Securityholders to receive Debentures upon surrender of Trust Securities
Certificates.
(d) In the event that, notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 904, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction or otherwise, distribution of the Debentures in the
manner provided herein is determined by the Property Trustee not to be
practical, the Trust Property shall be liquidated, and the Trust shall be
dissolved, wound-up or terminated, by the Property Trustee in such manner as the
Property Trustee determines. In such event, on the date of the dissolution,
winding-up or other termination of the Trust, Securityholders shall be entitled
to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
Securityholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount per Trust
Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon any such
dissolution, winding-up or termination, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid
only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next succeeding
sentence, the amounts payable by the Trust on the Trust Securities shall be paid
on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts). The holder of the Common
Securities shall be entitled to receive Liquidation Distributions upon any such
dissolution, winding-up or termination pro rata (determined as aforesaid) with
Holders of Preferred Securities, except that, if a Debenture Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a priority
over the Common Securities.
Section 905. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of
the Trust.
The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other Person, except pursuant
to this Section 905. At the request of the Depositor, with the consent of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the Preferred
Securities, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, the Trust may merge
with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, be replaced by or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to a trust
organized as such under the laws of any state; provided, that (i) such successor
entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with
respect to the Preferred Securities; or (b) substitutes for the Preferred
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Preferred
Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank
the same as the Preferred Securities rank in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; (ii) the
Depositor expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing
substantially the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the holder
of the Debentures; (iii) the Successor Securities are listed or traded, or any
Successor Securities shall be listed or traded upon notification of issuance, on
<PAGE>
any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed, if any; (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Preferred
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect; (v)
prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease, the Depositor has received an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the holders of the Preferred Securities (including any
Successor Securities) in any material respect; and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Trust nor such successor entity shall be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; and (vi) the Depositor
owns all of the Common Securities of such successor entity and guarantees the
obligations of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to
the extent provided by the Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust
shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of
the Preferred Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any other Person or permit any other Person to consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation,
amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or the successor
entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1001. Limitation of Rights of Securityholders.
The death or incapacity of any Person having an interest, beneficial or
otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not operate to terminate this Trust
Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives or heirs of such Person or any
Securityholder for such Person, to claim an accounting, take any action or bring
any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding-up of the arrangements
contemplated hereby, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and
liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
Section 1002. Amendment.
(a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the
Trustees and the Depositor, without the consent of any Securityholders, (i) as
provided in Section 811 with respect to acceptance of appointment by a successor
Trustee; (ii) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein
or therein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or therein,
or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
under this Trust Agreement, that shall not be inconsistent with the other
provisions of this Trust Agreement; or (iii) to modify, eliminate or add to any
provisions of this Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to
ensure that the Trust shall be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are
outstanding or to ensure that the Trust shall not be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; provided, however, that
<PAGE>
in the case of clause (ii), such action shall not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any Securityholder, and any amendments of this
Trust Agreement shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the
Securityholders.
(b) Except as provided in Section 601(c) or Section 1002(c) hereof, any
provision of this Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the
Depositor (i) with the consent of Trust Securityholders representing not less
than a majority (based upon Liquidation Amounts) of the Trust Securities then
Outstanding; and (ii) upon receipt by the Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the
Trustees in accordance with such amendment shall not affect the Trust's status
as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the Trust's
exemption from status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company
Act.
(c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this
Trust Agreement, without the consent of each affected Securityholder (such
consent being obtained in accordance with Section 603 or 606 hereof), this Trust
Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any
Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of
any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a
specified date; or (ii) restrict the right of a Securityholder to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date; notwithstanding
any other provision herein, without the unanimous consent of the Securityholders
(such consent being obtained in accordance with Section 603 or 606 hereof), this
paragraph (c) of this Section 1002 may not be amended.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no
Trustee shall enter into or consent to any amendment to this Trust Agreement
which would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify for the exemption from
status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act or to fail or
cease to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary,
without the consent of the Depositor, this Trust Agreement may not be amended in
a manner which imposes any additional obligation on the Depositor.
(f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made,
the Administrative Trustees shall promptly provide to the Depositor a copy of
such amendment.
(g) Neither the Property Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be
required to enter into any amendment to this Trust Agreement which affects its
own rights, duties or immunities under this Trust Agreement. The Property
Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers'
Certificate stating that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is in compliance
with this Trust Agreement.
Section 1003. Separability.
In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust
Securities Certificates shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
<PAGE>
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1004. Governing law.
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE
SECURITYHOLDERS, THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES WITH RESPECT TO THIS TRUST AGREEMENT
AND THE TRUST SECURITIES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES).
Section 1005. Payments Due on Non-Business Day.
If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day
that is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but
may be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, with the same
force and effect as though made on the date fixed for such payment, and no
distribution shall accumulate thereon for the period after such date.
Section 1006. Successors.
This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of any successor to the Depositor, the Trust or the Relevant Trustee(s),
including any successor by operation of law. Except in connection with a
consolidation, merger or sale involving the Depositor that is permitted under
Article XII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in
writing to perform the Depositor's obligations hereunder, the Depositor shall
not assign its obligations hereunder.
Section 1007. Headings.
The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.
Section 1008. Reports, Notices and Demands.
Any report, notice, demand or other communication which by any
provision of this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served
to or upon any Securityholder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing
by deposit thereof, first-class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand
delivery or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of
a Preferred Securityholder, to such Preferred Securityholder as such
Securityholder's name and address may appear on the Securities Register; and (b)
in the case of the Common Securityholder or the Depositor, to First Banks, Inc.,
11901 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, Attention: Chief Financial
Officer, facsimile no.: (314) 567-3490. Any notice to Preferred Securityholders
shall also be given to such owners as have, within two years preceding the
giving of such notice, filed their names and addresses with the Property Trustee
for that purpose. Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon a
Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all
purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or transmission.
Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
the Trust, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees shall be given in
writing addressed (until another address is published by the Trust) as follows:
<PAGE>
(a) with respect to the Property Trustee to State Street Bank and Trust Company,
Two International Place, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention:
Corporate Trust Department; (b) with respect to the Delaware Trustee, to
Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration; and
(c) with respect to the Administrative Trustees, to them at the address above
for notices to the Depositor, marked "Attention: Administrative Trustees of
First Preferred Capital Trust." Such notice, demand or other communication to or
upon the Trust or the Property Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently
given or made only upon actual receipt of the writing by the Trust or the
Property Trustee.
Section 1009. Agreement Not to Petition.
Each of the Trustees and the Depositor agree for the benefit of the
Securityholders that, until at least one year and 1 day after the Trust has been
terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall not file, or join in the
filing of, a petition against the Trust under any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law (including, without limitation, the United
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended) (collectively, "Bankruptcy Laws") or
otherwise join in the commencement of any proceeding against the Trust under any
Bankruptcy Law. In the event the Depositor takes action in violation of this
Section 1009, the Property Trustee agrees, for the benefit of Securityholders,
that at the expense of the Depositor (which expense shall be paid prior to the
filing), it shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly
contest the filing of such petition by the Depositor against the Trust or the
commencement of such action and raise the defense that the Depositor has agreed
in writing not to take such action and should be stopped and precluded
therefrom. The provisions of this Section 1009 shall survive the termination of
this Trust Agreement.
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Section 1010. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
(a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another
provision hereof which is required to be included in this Trust Agreement by any
of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall
control. If any provision of this Trust Agreement modifies or excludes any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the
latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Trust Agreement as so modified
or to be excluded, as the case may be.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust Agreement
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
Section 1011. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture.
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A TRUST SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN
BY OR ON BEHALF OF A SECURITYHOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, WITHOUT ANY
SIGNATURE OR FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL
ACCEPTANCE BY THE SECURITYHOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
SUCH TRUST SECURITY OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND
AGREEMENT TO THE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE AND
THE INDENTURE, AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE TRUST, SUCH
SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS THAT THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST
AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING, OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS BETWEEN THE TRUST AND
SUCH SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS.
FIRST BANKS, INC.
By: /s/ Allen H. Blake
----------------------
Name: Allen H. Blake
Title: Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as Property Trustee
By: /s/ Paul D. Allen
----------------------
Name: Paul D. Allen
Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Delaware Trustee
By: /s/ Emmett R. Harmon
------------------------
Name: Emmett R. Harmon
Title: Vice President
/s/ James F. Dierberg
----------------------
James F. Dierberg, as
Administrative Trustee
/s/ Allen H. Blake
-------------------
Allen H. Blake, as
Administrative Trustee
/s/ Laurence J. Brost
----------------------
Laurence J. Brost, as
Administrative Trustee
<PAGE>
A-6
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST
THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST (the
"Trust"), dated as of December 12, 1996, is being duly executed and filed by
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, JAMES F. DIERBERG,
ALLEN H. BLAKE and LAURENCE J. Brost, each an individual, as trustees, to form a
business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801 et
seq.).
1. NAME. The name of the business trust formed hereby is FIRST PREFERRED
CAPITAL TRUST.
2. DELAWARE TRUSTEE. The name and business address of the trustee of the
Trust in the State of Delaware is Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney
Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware
19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
3. EFFECTIVE DATE.This Certificate of Trust shall be effective on December
16, 1996.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the
Trust, has executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above
written.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as trustee
By:
Name:
Title:
JAMES F. DIERBERG
as Trustee
ALLEN H. BLAKE
as Trustee
LAURENCE J. BROST
as Trustee
<PAGE>
B-6
EXHIBIT B
[Intentionally Omitted]
<PAGE>
C-6
EXHIBIT C
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE
Certificate Number 1 Number of Common Securities: 106,702
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
First Preferred Capital Trust
Common Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST, a statutory business trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that FIRST
BANKS, INC. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of One Hundred Six Thousand,
Seven Hundred Two (106,702) common securities of the Trust representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and designated the
9.25% Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the
"Common Securities"). In accordance with Section 510 of the Trust Agreement (as
defined below), the Common Securities are not transferable and any attempted
transfer hereof shall be void. The designations, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences, and other terms and provisions of the Common
Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Common Securities
represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms
and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated
as of February 4, 1997, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust
Agreement"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as
set forth therein. The Trust shall furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement to the
Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place
of business or registered office.
Upon receive of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrative Trustees of the Trust has
executed this certificate this 4th day of February, 1997.
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST
By
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES (this "Agreement") dated as of
February 4, 1997, between FIRST BANKS, INC., a Missouri corporation ("First
Banks"), and FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST, a Delaware business trust (the
"Trust").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue its common securities (the "Common
Securities") to, and receive Debentures from, First Banks and to issue and sell
First Preferred Capital Trust 9.25% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (the
"Preferred Securities") with such powers, preferences and special rights and
restrictions as are set forth in the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust dated as of February 4, 1997, as the same may be amended from time to time
(the "Trust Agreement");
WHEREAS, First Banks shall directly or indirectly own all of the Common
Securities of the Trust and shall issue the Debentures;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each holder of the
Preferred Securities, which purchase First Banks hereby agrees shall benefit
First Banks and which purchase First Banks acknowledges shall be made in
reliance upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, First Banks,
including in its capacity as holder of the Common Securities, and the Trust
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.1. Guarantee by First Banks.
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, First Banks, including in
its capacity as holder of the Common Securities, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantees to each person or entity to whom the Trust is now or
hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the "Beneficiaries") the full payment when
and as due, of any and all Obligations (as hereinafter defined) to such
Beneficiaries. As used herein, "Obligations" means any costs, expenses or
liabilities of the Trust other than obligations of the Trust to pay to holders
of any Preferred Securities or other similar interests in the Trust the amounts
due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities or such other
similar interests, as the case may be. This Agreement is intended to be for the
benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not
such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.
Section 1.2. Term of Agreement.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect
upon the later of (a) the date on which full payment has been made of all
amounts payable to all holders of all the Preferred Securities (whether upon
redemption, liquidation, exchange or otherwise); and (b) the date on which there
are no Beneficiaries remaining; provided, however, that this Agreement shall
continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
<PAGE>
time any holder of Preferred Securities or any Beneficiary must restore payment
of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities, under any obligation, under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement dated the date hereof by First Banks
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as guarantee trustee, or under this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing, irrevocable,
unconditional and absolute.
Section 1.3. Waiver of Notice.
First Banks hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement and of
any obligation to which it applies or may apply, and First Banks hereby waives
presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
Section 1.4. No Impairment.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of First Banks under
this Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the
happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the obligations;
(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the obligations or any
action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind; or
(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust.
There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or obtain
the consent of, First Banks with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
Section 1.5. Enforcement.
A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement directly against First Banks,
and First Banks waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought
against the Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding against First
Banks.
ARTICLE II
Section 2.1. Binding Effect.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind
the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of First Banks
and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
<PAGE>
Section 2.2. Amendment.
So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any Preferred Securities of
any series are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or amended in
any manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to the holders of the Preferred
Securities.
Section 2.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the same by facsimile
transmission (confirmed by mail), telex, or by registered or certified mail,
addressed as follows (and if so given, shall be deemed given when mailed or upon
receipt of an answerback, if sent by telex):
First Preferred Capital Trust
c/o First Banks, Inc.
11901 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
Facsimile No.: (314) 567-3490
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
First Banks, Inc.
11901 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
Facsimile No.: (314) 567-3490
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Section 2.4. This agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri (without regard
to conflict of laws principles).
THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST BANKS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST
By:
Name:
Title: Administrative Trustee
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
Certificate Number Number of Preferred Securities ________
P-
Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities
of
First Preferred Capital Trust
9.25% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)
CUSIP NO. 33610Y 20 7
FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST, a statutory business trust created under the laws
of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ________________
(the "Holder") is the registered owner of _____ preferred securities of the
Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and
designated the 9.25% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (liquidation amount
$25 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred
Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or
by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed
and in proper form for transfer as provided in Section 504 of the Trust
Agreement (as defined herein). The designations, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences, and other terms and provisions of the Preferred
Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Preferred Securities
represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms
and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated
as of February 4, 1997, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust
Agreement"), including the designation of the terms of Preferred Securities as
set forth therein. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Agreement entered into by First Banks, Inc., a Missouri
corporation, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as guarantee trustee,
dated as of February 4, 1997 (the "Guarantee"), to the extent provided therein.
The Trust shall furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee to the
Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place
of business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Unless the Certificate of Authentication has been manually executed by
the Authentication Agent, this certificate is not valid or effective.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Administrative Trustees of the Trust have
executed this certificate as of the date hereof.
<PAGE>
Dated: FIRST PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the 9.25% By_________________________
Cumulative Trust Preferred Trustee
Securities referred to in the
within-mentioned Amended and
Trustee Restated Trust Agreement. By_________________________
Trustee
STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY,
as Authentication Agent and Registrars
By_________________________
Trustee
By ______________________________
Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
[FORM ON REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE]
The Trust will furnish without charge to any registered owner of Preferred
Securities who so requests, a copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee. Any
such request should be in writing and addressed to First Preferred Capital
Trust, c/o Secretary, First Banks, Inc., 135 North Meramec Avenue, St. Louis,
Missouri 63105 or to the Registrar named on the face of this Certificate.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM-as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-...Custodian .....
TEN ENT-as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN -as joint tenants with right of under Uniform Gifts to Minors
survivorship and not as tenants Act.........................
in common (State)
TOD -transfer on death direction
in event of owner's death, UNIF TRF MIN ACT-Custodian (until age)
to person named on face and (Cust)
subject to TOD rules, referenced .......under Uniform Transfers
(Minor)
to Minors Act................
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
- ----------------------------------
- ----------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
Preferred Securities
represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint
Attorney
to transfer the said Preferred Securities on the books of the within named
Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated,
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST
CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON
THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY
PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERNATION OR
ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED:
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11
FIRST BANKS, INC.
Calculation of Earnings per Share
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------
1997 1996
---- ----
Average shares outstanding:
Class C preferred stock 1,986,233 2,200,000
Class A preferred stock 641,082 641,082
Class B preferred stock 160,505 160,505
Common Stock 23,661 23,661
========= =========
Net income $ 7,835,817 4,437,304
Preferred stock dividends:
Class C preferred stock (1,082,813) (1,237,500)
Class A preferred stock (192,325) (192,325)
Class B preferred stock (4,213) (4,213)
--------- ---------
Income available to common
stockholders $ 6,556,466 3,003,266
========= =========
Primary earnings per share $ 277.10 126.93
========= =========
Fully diluted earnings per share:
Dividends per share:
Class C preferred stock $ 0.5452 0.5625
Class A preferred stock 0.3000 0.3000
Class B preferred stock 0.0262 0.0262
========= =========
Class A preferred stock outstanding 641,082 641,082
Book value/share of common stock,
beginning of year $ 7,795.11 7,175.73
Dilution of common equity upon
exercise of options and
warrants of subsidiary bank (16.50) (40.99)
--------- ---------
$ 7,778.61 7,134.74
========= =========
Common stock issuable upon conversion 1,648 1,797
Shares of common stock outstanding 23,661 23,661
--------- ---------
25,309 25,458
========= =========
Net income $ 7,835,817 4,437,304
Class C preferred dividends (1,082,813) (1,237,500)
Class B preferred dividends (4,213) (4,213)
--------- ----------
Fully-diluted net income $ 6,748,791 3,195,591
========= ==========
Fully-diluted earnings per share $266.65 125.52
====== ======
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000710507
<NAME> First Banks, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> Jan-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> Mar-31-1997
<CASH> 106,996
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 3,757
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 105,800
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 559,823
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 19,647
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 2,805,991
<ALLOWANCE> (47,523)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,740,057
<DEPOSITS> 3,278,116
<SHORT-TERM> 78,183
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 49,682
<LONG-TERM> 83,104
0
60,963
<COMMON> 5,915
<OTHER-SE> 184,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 3,740,057
<INTEREST-LOAN> 60,224
<INTEREST-INVEST> 7,981
<INTEREST-OTHER> 1,095
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 69,300
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 32,260
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 36,014
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 33,286
<LOAN-LOSSES> 2,850
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 23,894
<INCOME-PRETAX> 11,751
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 11,751
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 7,836
<EPS-PRIMARY> 277.10
<EPS-DILUTED> 266.65
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 8.15
<LOANS-NON> 29,341
<LOANS-PAST> 2,712
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 30,476
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 46,781
<CHARGE-OFFS> 4,741
<RECOVERIES> 2,633
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 47,523
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 47,523
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>
