<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 5, 1998
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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TRENWICK GROUP INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
6719
(PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)
06-1152790
(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
------------------------
METRO CENTER
ONE STATION PLACE
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902
(203) 353-5500
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANTS' PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
JANE T. WIZNITZER
VICE PRESIDENT-LEGAL AFFAIRS AND SECRETARY
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
METRO CENTER
ONE STATION PLACE
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902
(203) 353-5510
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENTS FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
COPY TO:
JAMES R. CAMERON, ESQ.
BAKER & MCKENZIE
805 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(212) 751-5700
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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AMOUNT PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(1) OFFERING PRICE(1) FEE
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
6.70% Senior Exchange Notes of
Trenwick Group Inc............... $75,000,000 100% $75,000,000 $22,125
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</TABLE>
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(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(f) for the sole purpose of calculating the
registration fee.
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
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<PAGE> 2
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 5, 1998
PROSPECTUS
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
6.70% SENIOR EXCHANGE NOTES DUE APRIL 1, 2003,
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
6.70% SENIOR NOTES DUE APRIL 1, 2003
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT
5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 1998, UNLESS EXTENDED.
---------------------------
Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby offers,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus (as
the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus") and
in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus
constitute the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange up to $75,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its 6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due April 1, 2003 (the
"Exchange Notes"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part, for a like principal amount of its outstanding
6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003 (the "Old Notes" and, together with the
Exchange Notes, the "Notes"). The terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in
all material respects to the terms of the Old Notes, except that (i) the
Exchange Notes have been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will
not be subject to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Notes,
(ii) the Exchange Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and
will not contain the $100,000 minimum principal amount transfer restriction
applicable to the Old Notes and (iii) unlike the Old Notes, the Exchange Notes
will not provide for any increase in the interest rate payable thereon if the
Company does not or cannot fulfill certain obligations (which obligations will
be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer) under a Registration
Rights Agreement dated as of March 27, 1998 (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") between the Company and Lehman Brothers Inc. as Initial Purchaser.
See "Description of Exchange Notes" and "Description of Old Notes."
On March 27, 1998, the Company issued $75,000,000 principal amount of Old
Notes. The Old Notes were issued pursuant to exemptions from, or in transactions
not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws.
This Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to all
holders of Old Notes on or about , 1998.
Except as provided below, the Exchange Notes will be represented by a
global Note or Notes in fully registered form, deposited with a custodian for
and registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC").
Beneficial interests in such global Note or Notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day
Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests
will therefore settle in immediately available funds.
Holders of the Exchange Notes will be entitled to receive interest payable
semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1,
1998. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank senior
in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the
Company and pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future senior
unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The Notes may not be redeemed prior to
maturity and do not provide for any sinking fund. See "Description of Exchange
Notes."
---------------------------
The Exchange Notes are being offered in exchange for Old Notes to satisfy
certain obligations of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement. The
Company is making the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the staff of
the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to
third parties in other transactions. However, the Company has not sought its own
interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division
of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with
respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third
parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the
(Continued on the following page)
---------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 8 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER OLD NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE
OFFER.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 1998.
<PAGE> 3
(Continued from the previous page)
Commission, and subject to the two immediately following sentences, the Company
believes that Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange
for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a
holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course of such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, and
has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Notes.
Any holder of Old Notes who is an "affiliate" of the Company or who intends to
participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange
Notes, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes from the Company for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or any other
available exemption under the Securities Act, however, (a) will not be able to
rely on the interpretations of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance
of the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b)
will not be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Notes in the Exchange Offer
and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old
Notes unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements.
In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Notes acquired
for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities and
exchanges such Old Notes for Exchange Notes, then such broker-dealer must
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resales of such Exchange Notes.
Each holder of Old Notes who wishes to exchange Old Notes for Exchange
Notes in the Exchange Offer will be required to represent that (i) it is not an
"affiliate" of the Company, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by it are
being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Notes, and (iv) if
such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged in, and does not
intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act)
of such Exchange Notes. In addition, the Company may require such holder, as a
condition to such holder's eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to
furnish to the Company (or an agent thereof) in writing information as to the
number of "beneficial owners" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) on behalf of whom such holder holds
the Old Notes to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that
receives Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it
acquired the Exchange Notes for its own account as the result of market-making
activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Based on the position taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance
of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the Company
believes that broker-dealers who acquired Old Notes for their own accounts, as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities ("Participating
Broker-Dealers"), may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with
respect to the Exchange Notes received upon exchange of such Old Notes with a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, which may be the
prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it contains a description
of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of such Exchange Notes.
Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the period referred to
below in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Old
Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for
its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities.
Subject to certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement,
the Company has agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in
connection with resales of such Exchange Notes for a period ending 90 days after
the Expiration Date (as defined herein) (subject to extension under certain
limited circumstances described below) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange
Notes have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of
Distribution." However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use this
Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Notes received in exchange
for Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company, or cause
the Company to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a
Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided for
that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange
Agent at the address set forth herein under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange
Agent." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Company may
not rely on such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of Exchange Notes."
Each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of notice from
the Company of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which
makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
untrue in any material respect or
(ii)
<PAGE> 4
(Continued from the previous page)
which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the
occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration Rights
Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of Exchange
Notes pursuant to this Prospectus until the Company has amended or supplemented
this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished
copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such Participating
Broker-Dealer or the Company has given notice that the sale of the Exchange
Notes may be resumed, as the case may be. If the Company gives such notice to
suspend the sale of the Exchange Notes, it shall extend the 90-day period
referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use
this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Notes by the number of
days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice
to and including the date when Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received
copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the Exchange Notes or to and including the date on which the Company has given
notice that the sale of Exchange Notes may be resumed, as the case may be.
Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been only a limited secondary market
and no public market for the Old Notes. The Exchange Notes will be a new issue
of securities for which there currently is no market. Although the Initial
Purchaser has informed the Company that it currently intends to make a market in
the Exchange Notes, it is not obligated to do so, and any such market making may
be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the Exchange
Notes. The Company currently does not intend to apply for listing of the
Exchange Notes on any securities exchange or for inclusion in the Nasdaq Stock
Market ("Nasdaq").
The Company has agreed to keep the Registration Statement, of which this
Prospectus forms a part, effective for a period of 30 calendar days (or longer
if required by applicable law or to allow Participating Broker-Dealers to
satisfy their prospectus delivery requirements) after notice of the Exchange
Offer is mailed to holders of the Old Notes.
Any Old Notes not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer will remain
outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights (except for those rights
in respect of the Exchange Offer) and will be subject to the same limitations
applicable thereto under the Indenture dated as of March 27, 1998, as amended
and supplemented from time to time, between the Company and The First National
Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (the "Indenture"). Following consummation of the
Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Notes will continue to be subject to all of
the existing restrictions upon transfer thereof and the Company will not have
any further obligation to such holders (other than under certain limited
circumstances) to provide for registration under the Securities Act of the Old
Notes held by them. To the extent that Old Notes are tendered and accepted in
the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Notes could be
adversely affected. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange
Old Notes."
THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER THEIR
OLD NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
Old Notes may be tendered for exchange on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on , 1998 (such time on such date being hereinafter
called the "Expiration Date"), unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the
Company (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and
time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). Tenders of Old Notes may be
withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is
not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being tendered
for exchange. The Exchange Offer is, however, subject to certain conditions
which may be waived by the Company and to the terms and provisions of the
Registration Rights Agreement. Old Notes may be tendered in the Exchange Offer
for exchange in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000
notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old Notes,
of a minimum principal transfer amount of $100,000. For purposes of tenders of
Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum principal transfers
of $100,000 will be waived. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses of the
Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Fees and Expenses." Holders of the
Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive interest on
such Old Notes and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive interest
on such Old Notes accumulated from and including March 27, 1998. Accordingly,
holders of Exchange Notes as of the record date for the payment of interest on
October 1, 1998 will be entitled to receive interest accumulated from and
including March 27, 1998. See "The Exchange Offer -- Interest on Exchange
Notes."
The Company will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
Exchange Notes offered hereby. No dealer-manager is being used in connection
with this Exchange Offer. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Plan of Distribution."
(iii)
<PAGE> 5
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NOTICE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS:
NEITHER THE FACT THAT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AN APPLICATION FOR A
LICENSE HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE NOR THE FACT THAT A
SECURITY IS EFFECTIVELY REGISTERED OR A PERSON IS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE CONSTITUTES A FINDING BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE THAT
ANY DOCUMENT FILED UNDER RSA 421-B IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. NEITHER
ANY SUCH FACT NOR THE FACT THAT AN EXEMPTION OR EXCEPTION IS AVAILABLE FOR A
SECURITY OR A TRANSACTION MEANS THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS PASSED IN ANY
WAY UPON THE MERITS OR QUALIFICATIONS OF, OR RECOMMENDED OR GIVEN APPROVAL TO,
ANY PERSON, SECURITY, OR TRANSACTION. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE, OR CAUSE TO BE
MADE, TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, CUSTOMER OR CLIENT, ANY REPRESENTATION
INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.
------------------------
FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS ONLY:
THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS NOT
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES MADE HEREBY NOR HAS THE
COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE
OFFER AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE
AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR A SOLICITATION
BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
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(iv)
<PAGE> 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
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<S> <C>
Available Information....................................... 1
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............. 1
Prospectus Summary.......................................... 3
Risk Factors................................................ 8
Use of Proceeds............................................. 11
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................... 11
Capitalization.............................................. 11
Selected Financial Data..................................... 12
Trenwick Group Inc. ........................................ 13
Recent Developments......................................... 13
The Exchange Offer.......................................... 14
Description of Exchange Notes............................... 22
Description of Old Notes.................................... 30
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange
Offer and Investment in the Exchange Notes................ 31
Plan of Distribution........................................ 33
Legal Matters............................................... 33
Experts..................................................... 33
</TABLE>
(v)
<PAGE> 7
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at
the Commission's regional offices at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may also be obtained by
mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. If available, such reports,
proxy statements and other information may also be accessed through the
Commission's electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system ("EDGAR")
via electronic means, including the Commission's web site on the Internet
(http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Company's common stock, $.10 par value
per share, is listed on Nasdaq National Market and such material also is
available for inspection at the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
at 1735 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006.
This Prospectus forms a part of a registration statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Commission under the
Securities Act. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth
in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Commission, and reference is hereby made
to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further
information with respect to the Company and the Exchange Notes. Any statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily
complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997;
(b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1998; and
(c) Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 30, 1998.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Exchange Notes offered hereby shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part of this
Prospectus from the date of filing of such document. Any statement contained
herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
As used herein, the terms "Prospectus" and "herein" mean this Prospectus,
including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by
reference, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
<PAGE> 8
contract or other document referred to herein do not purport to be complete, and
where reference is made to the particular provisions of such contract or other
document, such provisions are qualified in all respects by reference to all of
the provisions of such contract or other document. The Company will provide,
without charge to any person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the
written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing
documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits thereto not
specifically incorporated by reference into the texts of such documents).
Requests for such documents should be directed to: Jane T. Wiznitzer, Vice
President-Legal Affairs and Secretary, Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One
Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. Telephone requests may be directed
to (203) 353-5500.
2
<PAGE> 9
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements included
and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
Trenwick Group Inc. is a holding company whose principal operating
subsidiaries, Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation ("Trenwick America Re")
and Trenwick International Limited ("Trenwick International"), underwrite
reinsurance and specialty insurance.
Trenwick America Re, located in Stamford, Connecticut, provides treaty and
facultative reinsurance to insurers of property and casualty risks in the United
States. Trenwick America Re's business is primarily obtained through reinsurance
intermediaries. The major portion of the reinsurance it writes is casualty
business, including automobile liability, professional liability and general
liability. Reinsurance is provided both on an excess of loss and quota share
basis. In addition to underwriting reinsurance on its own account, Trenwick
America Re participates in specialized segments of the reinsurance market, such
as property catastrophe, malpractice liability and accident and health, through
strategic alliances with leaders in those segments. Over the five-year period
ended December 31, 1997, the combined ratios of the Company's U.S. reinsurance
operations, computed on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles,
substantially improved from 102.5% in 1993 to 96.5% in 1997.
Trenwick America Re is licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct
reinsurance business in every state and the District of Columbia. Trenwick
America Re's financial strength is rated "A+ (Superior)" by A.M. Best Company,
an independent insurance industry rating organization, and its claims-paying
ability is rated "A+ (Good)" by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. Financial
strength and claims-paying ratings are primarily based upon factors relevant to
reinsureds and policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of
investors.
Trenwick International, located in London, England, was acquired by the
Company in February 1998. Trenwick International underwrites treaty and
facultative reinsurance as well as speciality insurance on a worldwide basis.
Specialized insurance and facultative reinsurance classes include property
insurance of major industrial risks, property and liability insurance for the
leisure, hospitality and other industries, bonds for financial institutions,
engineering and extended warranty risks, accident and health, professional
indemnity, latent defects, yachts and general aviation. Trenwick International's
first branch office, specializing in facultative reinsurance of large technical
property risks, is scheduled to open in Paris, France in the autumn of 1998.
Trenwick International is licensed in the United Kingdom to underwrite all
non-life insurance classes and holds licenses in more than thirty additional
countries. Its financial strength is rated "A (Excellent)" by A.M. Best and its
claims-paying ability is rated "A+ (Good)" by Standard & Poor's Rating Services.
Trenwick America Re has provided Trenwick International with a claims payment
guarantee to enhance security to its policyholders.
The Company's principal executive office is located at Metro Center, One
Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, and its telephone number is (203)
353-5500.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Exchange Offer........ Up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
Exchange Notes are being offered in exchange for a
like aggregate principal amount of Old Notes. Old
Notes may be tendered in the Exchange Offer for
exchange in whole or in part in any integral
multiples of $1,000 principal amount notwithstanding
the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of
Old Notes, of a minimum principal transfer amount of
$100,000. For purposes of tenders of Old Notes in the
Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum principal
transfers of $100,000 will be waived. The Company is
making the Exchange Offer to satisfy its obligations
under the Registration Rights Agreement relating to
the
3
<PAGE> 10
Old Notes. For a description of the procedures for
tendering Old Notes, see "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
Expiration Date........... 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1998,
unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company
(in which case the Expiration Date will be the latest
date and time to which the Exchange Offer is
extended). See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the
Exchange Offer."
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer................... The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions
which may be waived by the Company in its sole
discretion. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned
upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered for exchange. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
Company's Rights to
Extend or Terminate
Exchange Offer.......... The Company reserves the right in its sole and
absolute discretion, subject to applicable law, at
any time and from time to time to (i) delay the
acceptance of the Old Notes for exchange, (ii)
terminate the Exchange Offer if certain specified
conditions have not been satisfied, (iii) extend the
Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain all
Old Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
subject, however, to the right of holders of Old
Notes to withdraw their tendered Old Notes, or (iv)
waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of
the Exchange Offer in any respect. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer."
Withdrawal Rights......... Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time on
or prior to the Expiration Date by delivering a
written notice of such withdrawal to the Exchange
Agent in conformity with certain procedures set forth
below under "The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal
Rights."
Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes................. Tendering holders of Old Notes must complete and sign
a Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the
instructions contained therein and forward the same
by mail, facsimile or hand delivery, together with
any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent,
either with the Old Notes to be tendered or in
compliance with the specified procedures for
guaranteed delivery of Old Notes. Certain brokers,
dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other
nominees may also effect tenders by book-entry
transfer. Holders of Old Notes registered in the name
of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company
or other nominee are urged to contact such person
promptly if they wish to tender Old Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes." Letters
of Transmittal and certificates representing Old
Notes should not be sent to the Company. Such
documents should only be sent to the Exchange Agent.
Resales of Exchange
Notes..................... The Company is making the Exchange Offer in reliance
on the position of the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission as set forth in
certain interpretive letters addressed to third
parties in other transactions. However, the Company
has not sought its own interpretive letter and there
can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a
similar determination with respect to the Exchange
Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third
parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff
of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission, and subject to the two immediately
following sentences, the Company believes that
Exchange Notes
4
<PAGE> 11
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange of
Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than
a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further
compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided
that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course of such holder's business and that such holder
is not participating, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate, in a
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such Exchange Notes. However, any holder of
Old Notes who is an "affiliate" of the Company or who
intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the
purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes, or any
broker-dealer who purchased the Old Notes from the
Company for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
available exemption under the Securities Act, (a)
will not be able to rely on the interpretations of
the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of
the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned
interpretive letters, (b) will not be permitted or
entitled to tender such Old Notes in the Exchange
Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act in connection with any sale or other transfer of
such Old Notes unless such sale is made pursuant to
an exemption from such requirements. In addition, as
described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Notes
acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities and
exchanges such Old Notes for Exchange Notes, then
such broker-dealer must deliver a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act in connection
with any resales of such Exchange Notes. Each holder
of Old Notes who wishes to exchange Old Notes for
Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer will be required
to represent that (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the
Company, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by it
are being acquired in the ordinary course of its
business, (iii) it has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such Exchange Notes, and (iv) if such holder
is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such
Exchange Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it acquired the
Old Notes for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities
and must agree that it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.
The Letter of Transmittal states that, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act. Based on the position taken by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in
the interpretive letters referred to above, the
Company believes that Participating Broker-Dealers
who acquired Old Notes for their own accounts as a
result of market-making activities or other trading
activities may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to the Exchange Notes
received upon exchange of such Old Notes (other than
Old Notes which represent an unsold allotment from
the original sale of the Old Notes) with a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, which
may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer
so long as it contains a description of the plan of
distribution with respect to the resale of such
Exchange Notes. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it
may be amended or supplemented from
5
<PAGE> 12
time to time, may be used by a Participating
Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of Exchange
Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such
Old Notes were acquired by such Participating
Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities. Subject to
certain provisions set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement and to the limitations described
below under "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of
Exchange Notes," the Company has agreed that this
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, may be used by a Participating
Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such
Exchange Notes for a period ending 90 days after the
Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain
limited circumstances) or, if earlier, when all such
Exchange Notes have been disposed of by such
Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of
Distribution." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is
an "affiliate" of the Company may not rely on such
interpretive letters and must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of
Exchange Notes."
Effect of Not Accepting
the Exchange Offer........ Old Notes which are not tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and will be
entitled to all the rights presently accruing to them
except the right to an increased interest rate on the
Old Notes in certain events, if the Company does not
or cannot fulfill certain obligations under the
Registration Rights Agreement (which obligations will
be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange
Offer). See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a
Failure to Exchange Old Notes." However, the Old
Notes will continue to be subject to restrictions on
transfer and, except for limited exceptions for
certain broker-dealers, will have no registration
rights. To the extent that Old Notes are not tendered
and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's
ability to freely sell untendered Old Notes could be
adversely affected.
Exchange Agent............ The exchange agent with respect to the Exchange Offer
is The First National Bank of Chicago (the "Exchange
Agent"). The applicable addresses, and telephone and
facsimile numbers, of the Exchange Agent are set
forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent" and
the Letter of Transmittal.
Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences............ The exchange of Exchange Notes for Old Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer should not result in any
income, gain or loss to the holders or the Company
for United States federal income tax purposes. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Exchange Offer and Investment in the Exchange Notes."
THE EXCHANGE NOTES
Securities Offered........ Up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
Exchange Notes which have been registered under the
Securities Act. The Exchange Notes will be issued,
and the Old Notes were issued, under the Indenture
(as defined herein). The terms of the Exchange Notes
are identical in all material respects to the terms
of the Old Notes, except that the Exchange Notes have
been registered under the Securities Act and will not
be subject to the $100,000 minimum principal amount
transfer restrictions and certain other restrictions
on transfer applicable to the Old Notes and will not
provide for
6
<PAGE> 13
any increase in the interest rate thereon which is
payable on the Old Notes if the Company does not or
cannot fulfill certain obligations under the
Registration Rights Agreement (which obligations will
be satisfied upon the consummation of the Exchange
Offer). See "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose of the
Exchange Offer," "Description of Exchange Notes" and
"Description of Old Notes."
Maturity Date............. April 1, 2003.
Interest Payment Dates.... April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing
October 1, 1998.
Redemption................ The Exchange Notes are not subject to redemption
prior to maturity.
Ranking................... The Exchange Notes will be unsecured obligations and
will rank senior in right of payment to all existing
and future subordinated indebtedness of the Company
and pari passu with all existing and future senior
unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The Exchange
Notes will rank senior in right of payment to the
Company's obligations with respect to its 8.82%
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
held by Trenwick Capital Trust I (the "Trust") in
respect of the $110.0 million 8.82% Subordinated
Capital Income Securities (the "Capital Securities")
issued by the Trust. See "Description of Exchange
Notes -- General" and "-- Ranking."
Covenants................. The Indenture does not contain financial covenants
requiring the Company to maintain a certain financial
condition or limitations on the amount of additional
debt that the Company or its subsidiaries may incur,
or on their ability to engage in a highly leveraged
transaction. However, the Indenture limits the
Company's ability to incur future secured
indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the
Notes and includes certain other restrictions.
Absence of Market for the
Notes................... The Exchange Notes will be a new issue of securities
for which there currently is no market. Although the
Initial Purchaser has informed the Company that it
currently intends to make a market in the Exchange
Notes, the Initial Purchaser is not obligated to do
so, and any such market making may be discontinued at
any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance as to the development or liquidity of any
market for the Exchange Notes.
Use of Proceeds........... The Company will not receive any cash proceeds from
the issuance of the Exchange Notes offered hereby. In
consideration for issuing the Exchange Notes in
exchange for Old Notes as described in this
Prospectus, the Company will receive Old Notes in
like principal amount. The Old Notes surrendered in
exchange for the Exchange Notes will be retired and
cancelled.
The net proceeds to the Company from the offer and
sale of the Old Notes were approximately $74.2
million. The Company contributed approximately $67.4
million of the net proceeds to its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Trenwick International, to support its
insurance and reinsurance operations, including
increasing its statutory capital to support its
underwriting capacity. Remaining net proceeds of
approximately $6.8 million are to be used for general
corporate purposes, which may include investments in
and advances to subsidiaries, the financing of growth
and expansion, the financing of possible future
acquisitions and other corporate purposes. See "Use
of Proceeds."
7
<PAGE> 14
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should carefully review the information included and
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, and should particularly consider the following
matters.
RANKING OF THE NOTES
The obligations of the Company under the Notes will be unsecured and will
rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated
indebtedness of the Company and pari passu in right of payment with all existing
and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The Notes are unsecured
and thus, in effect, will rank junior to any secured indebtedness of the
Company. Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of
holders of the Notes to benefit indirectly from such distribution) is subject to
the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, including its reinsureds and
insureds, except to the extent that the Company may itself be recognized as a
creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Notes will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's
subsidiaries, and holders of Notes should look only to the assets of the Company
for payments on the Notes. At March 31, 1998, the Company's subsidiaries had
total liabilities of $824.6 million and $1.4 billion in total assets. (The
foregoing amounts do not include the obligations of the Company with respect to
the $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.82% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures held by the Trust in respect of the $110.0
million of 8.82% Capital Securities issued by the Trust.)
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
The Company is an insurance holding company whose principal assets are the
capital stock of Trenwick America Re, which it owns through its wholly-owned
subsidiary Trenwick America Corporation and Trenwick International, which it
owns through its wholly-owned subsidiary Trenwick Holdings Limited. The
Company's principal source of funds, including funds available to pay interest
and principal on the Notes or make payments with respect to its capital stock,
is cash dividends from Trenwick America Re and Trenwick International.
Accordingly, the Company's ability to pay interest and principal on the Notes is
dependent on the receipt of such dividends.
The payment of dividends by Trenwick America Re is subject to limits
imposed by the insurance laws and regulations of the State of Connecticut, its
state of incorporation and domicile. Under those limits, the maximum amount of
shareholder dividends or other distributions that Trenwick America Re may
declare or pay to the Company within any twelve month period, without the
permission of the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner, is limited to the greater
of 10% of policyholder surplus at December 31 of the preceding year, or 100% of
net income, excluding realized capital gains, for the twelve month period ending
December 31 of the preceding year, both determined in accordance with statutory
accounting practices. For the purpose of computing the limitation, carryforward
provisions apply with respect to net income realized in the two previous
calendar years which has not already been paid out as dividends. The maximum
amount of dividends which can be paid by Trenwick America Re in 1998 without
regulatory approval is approximately $84.4 million.
Under the laws of the United Kingdom, Trenwick International must provide
the U.K. Treasury with 14 days' advance notice of any proposal to declare or pay
a dividend. Trenwick International may declare or pay the dividend, unless
during the 14-day period the U.K. Treasury has directed otherwise.
CONSEQUENCES OF A FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD NOTES
The Old Notes were not registered under the Securities Act or any state
securities laws and therefore may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred
except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and any other applicable securities laws, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom
or in a transaction not subject thereto, and in each case in compliance with
certain other conditions and restrictions. Old Notes which remain outstanding
after consummation of the Exchange Offer will continue to bear a legend
reflecting such restrictions on transfer. In addition, upon consummation of the
Exchange Offer, holders of Old
8
<PAGE> 15
Notes which remain outstanding will not be entitled to any rights to have such
Old Notes registered under the Securities Act or to any similar rights under the
Registration Rights Agreement (subject to certain limited exceptions). The
Company does not intend to register under the Securities Act any Old Notes which
remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to such
limited exceptions, if applicable). To the extent that Old Notes are tendered
and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old
Notes could be adversely affected.
The Registration Rights Agreement provides, among other things, that, if an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (if
required to be filed) is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to
September 20, 1998, Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes affected thereby,
commencing September 21, 1998, at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal
amount of such Old Notes for the period from the occurrence of such event until
such time as the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any required Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective. In addition, if the Exchange Offer
is not consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the date on which the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, Additional Interest
shall accrue on the principal amount of the Old Notes affected thereby until the
Exchange Offer is consummated. Upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer, the
Company will have satisfied its obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement and holders of Old Notes will not be entitled to any such Additional
Interest thereon or any further registration rights under the Registration
Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances with respect to certain
broker-dealers. See "Description of Old Notes."
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
The Old Notes were issued to, and the Company believes the Old Notes are
currently owned by, a relatively small number of beneficial owners. The Old
Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and will be subject to
restrictions on transferability if they are not exchanged for the Exchange
Notes. Although the Exchange Notes generally may be resold or otherwise
transferred by their holders (who are not affiliates of the Company) without
compliance with the registration or prospectus delivery requirements under the
Securities Act, they will constitute a new issue of securities with no
established trading market. Old Notes may be transferred by the holders thereof
only in blocks having a minimum principal transfer amount of not less than
$100,000. Exchange Notes may be transferred by the holders thereof in blocks
having a principal amount of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The Company
has been advised by the Initial Purchaser that the Initial Purchaser presently
intends to make a market in the Exchange Notes. However, the Initial Purchaser
is not obligated to do so and any market-making activity with respect to the
Exchange Notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such
market-making activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act and may be limited during the Exchange Offer.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given that an active public or other market
will develop for the Exchange Notes or the Old Notes or as to the liquidity of
or the trading market for the Exchange Notes or the Old Notes. If an active
public market does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the Exchange
Notes may be adversely affected.
If a public trading market develops for the Exchange Notes, future trading
prices will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing
interest rates, the Company's results and the market for similar securities.
Depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and
other factors, including the financial condition of the Company, the Exchange
Notes may trade at a discount.
Notwithstanding the registration of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange
Offer, holders who are affiliates of the Company may publicly offer for sale or
resell the Exchange Notes only in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144
under the Securities Act or pursuant to another effective registration
statement.
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
9
<PAGE> 16
AMOUNT OF LEVERAGE
As of March 31, 1998, after giving effect to the issuance of the Notes, the
Company's total indebtedness was $185.0 million. The Indenture does not limit
the Company's ability to incur debt. In addition, the Company may incur
additional indebtedness from time to time, in connection with acquisitions or
otherwise. The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences to holders of the Notes, including, but not limited to, the
following: (1) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the
future may be impaired; (2) the Company may be more leveraged than certain of
its competitors, which may place it at a disadvantage; and (3) the Company's
degree of leverage could make it more vulnerable to changes in general economic
conditions.
FLUCTUATION AND UNCERTAINTY OF PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE
INDUSTRY RESULTS
The results of companies in the property and casualty insurance and
reinsurance industries historically have been subject to significant
fluctuations and uncertainties. Profitability can be affected significantly by
volatile and unpredictable developments (including catastrophes); changes in
reserves resulting from the general claims and legal environments as different
types of claims arise and judicial interpretations relating to the scope of
insurers' and reinsurers' liability develop; fluctuations in interest rates and
currency exchange rates and other changes in the investment environment which
affect returns on invested capital; and inflationary pressures which affect the
size of losses. The demand for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance
can also vary significantly, generally rising as the overall level of economic
activity increases and falling as such activity decreases. The property and
casualty insurance and reinsurance industries historically have been cyclical.
The industries as a whole have been in a softening market in the United States
since the late 1980s primarily due to premium rate competition, which has
resulted in lower underwriting profitability. Competition in the worldwide
insurance market also has increased in recent years. The Company's results of
operations may be adversely affected by these fluctuations and uncertainties.
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ADEQUACY OF LOSS RESERVES
The Company maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated ultimate
liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to reported and
unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. Reserves do
not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent
estimates, generally involving actuarial projections at a given time, of what
the Company expects the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will
cost based on its assessment of facts and circumstances then known, estimates of
future trends in claims severity, frequency, judicial theories of liability and
other factors. These variables are affected by both internal and external
events, such as changes in ceding companies' claims handling procedures,
economic inflation, judicial trends and legislative changes. Many of these items
are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis.
Additionally, there may be significant reporting lags between the occurrence of
a reinsured event and the time it is actually reported to the reinsurer. Reserve
estimates are continually refined in a regular ongoing process as experience
develops and further claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves
are reflected in the results of the periods in which such estimates are changed.
Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving
estimates of future losses, there can be no certainty that currently established
reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent actual experience. The
inherent uncertainties of estimating loss reserves are generally greater for
casualty coverages than for property coverages, due primarily to the longer
period of time that typically elapses before a definitive determination of
ultimate loss can be made, changing theories of legal liability involving
certain types of claims and changing political climates.
10
<PAGE> 17
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
Exchange Notes offered hereby. In consideration for issuing the Exchange Notes
in exchange for Old Notes as described in this Prospectus, the Company will
receive Old Notes in like principal amount. The Old Notes surrendered in
exchange for the Exchange Notes will be retired and cancelled.
The net proceeds to the Company from the offer and sale of the Old Notes
were approximately $74.2 million. The Company contributed approximately $67.4
million of the net proceeds to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trenwick
International, to support its insurance and reinsurance operations, including
increasing its statutory capital to support its underwriting capacity. Remaining
net proceeds of approximately $6.8 million are to be used for general corporate
purposes, which may include investments in and advances to subsidiaries, the
financing of growth and expansion, the financing of possible future acquisitions
and other corporate purposes.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to fixed
charges of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and for the
five years ended December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ------------------ --------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ------------------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
5.1 5.7 7.4 6.6 4.4 5.2
</TABLE>
The ratios of earnings to fixed charges represent the number of times fixed
charges (interest expense, minority interest and one-third of all rent and
related costs, considered to represent an appropriate interest factor, charged
to income) are covered by income before income taxes and extraordinary item and
fixed charges.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997. The following data should be
read in conjunction with the financial information included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1998, which are
incorporated herein by reference. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997
--------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-Term Debt:
Notes..................................................... $ 75,000 $ --
-------- --------
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred capital
securities of subsidiary trust holding solely junior
subordinated
debentures of the Company................................. 110,000 110,000
Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 2,000,000 shares
authorized;
none outstanding.......................................... -- --
-------- --------
Common stockholders' equity
Common stock, $.10 par value, 30,000,000 shares
authorized;
12,052,199 and 11,951,060 shares outstanding........... 1,205 1,195
Additional paid-in capital................................ 157,041 153,714
Retained earnings......................................... 189,450 183,218
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... 21,102 20,245
Deferred compensation under stock award plan.............. (3,554) (723)
-------- --------
Total common stockholders' equity...................... 365,244 357,649
-------- --------
Total capitalization.............................. $550,244 $467,649
======== ========
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE> 18
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data set forth below should be read in connection
with the financial information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the three months ended March 31, 1998, which are incorporated herein by
reference. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference." The selected
financial data as of March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1997 is unaudited; however, in
the opinion of the Company's management, the selected financial data includes
all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for
a fair statement of the results for the interim periods.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Gross premiums written................ $ 61,529 $ 72,737 $ 248,662 $247,358 $214,336 $153,834 $113,659
Net premiums written.................. 44,493 59,558 195,230 226,364 197,162 139,635 101,392
Premiums earned....................... 45,824 53,914 190,156 211,069 177,394 132,683 93,180
Net investment income................. 12,384 11,729 48,402 41,226 36,828 33,932 34,954
Net realized investment gains
(losses)............................ 720 1,915 2,304 299 368 (196) 1,842
Other income.......................... 12 -- 10 -- -- -- --
Total revenues........................ 58,940 67,558 240,872 252,594 214,590 166,419 129,976
Income before income taxes and
extraordinary item.................. 10,513 12,881 47,530 43,828 38,413 23,035 27,959
Extraordinary loss on debt redemption;
net of $558 income tax benefit...... -- (1,037) (1,037) -- -- -- --
Net income............................ 9,245 8,764 35,252 33,848 29,841 20,282 23,739
Net earnings per share:
Basic income before extraordinary
item.............................. .78 .90 3.12 3.40 3.09 2.10 2.44
Basic net income.................... .78 .81 3.03 3.40 3.09 2.10 2.44
Diluted income before extraordinary
item.............................. .77 .81 3.01 2.85 2.59 1.88 2.11
Diluted net income.................. .77 .81 3.01 2.85 2.59 1.88 2.11
Dividends per share:.................. .25 .24 .97 .83 .75 .67 .57
RATIOS AND OTHER DATA:
GAAP combined ratios:
Claims and claims expense........... 57.9% 57.1% 57.6% 61.3% 63.7% 70.0% 68.5%
Policy acquisition expense.......... 33.1 32.2 30.8 27.8 24.8 25.5 23.0
Underwriting expense................ 9.3 7.4 8.1 6.7 7.1 7.7 11.0
---------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Combined............................ 100.3% 96.7% 96.5% 95.8% 95.6% 103.2% 102.5%
========== ======== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Statutory combined ratios:
Claims and claims expense........... 57.9% 57.1% 57.6% 61.3% 63.7% 69.9% 68.6%
Policy acquisition expense.......... 32.4 32.1 30.4 28.2 25.4 25.8 23.4
Underwriting expense................ 9.6 6.7 7.9 6.2 6.4 7.4 10.2
---------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Combined............................ 99.9% 95.9% 95.9% 95.7% 95.5% 103.1% 102.2%
========== ======== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Industry statutory combined
ratios(a)........................... 100.2% 100.7% 102.7% 103.8% 111.1% 106.7% 107.3%
========== ======== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Ratio of statutory net premiums
written to surplus.................. 0.1:1 0.2:1 0.6:1 0.9:1 0.8:1 0.7:1 0.5:1
========== ======== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Total cash and investments............ $1,023,767 $825,487 $ 864,324 $754,210 $653,704 $551,784 $546,303
Total assets.......................... 1,370,829 1,021,062 1,087,923 920,804 820,930 727,245 700,407
Total unpaid claims and claims
expenses............................ 652,437 481,974 518,387 467,177 411,874 389,298 354,582
Convertible debentures................ -- -- -- 103,500 103,500 103,500 103,500
Senior notes.......................... 75,000 -- -- -- -- -- --
Company-obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred capital
securities of subsidiary trust
holding solely junior subordinated
debentures of the Company........... 110,000 110,000 110,000 -- -- -- --
Common stockholders' equity........... 365,244 322,474 357,649 265,753 240,776 188,213 206,763
Book value per common share........... 30.31 27.02 29.93 26.34 24.36 19.48 20.94
STATUTORY CAPITAL AND SURPLUS OF
TRENWICK AMERICA RE................... 334,415 294,204 $ 322,850 $286,284 $257,590 $236,056 $224,902
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Source: Reinsurance Association of America.
12
<PAGE> 19
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
Trenwick Group Inc. is a holding company whose principal operating
subsidiaries, Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation ("Trenwick America Re")
and Trenwick International Limited ("Trenwick International"), underwrite
reinsurance and specialty insurance.
Trenwick America Re, located in Stamford, Connecticut, provides treaty and
facultative reinsurance to insurers of property and casualty risks in the United
States. Trenwick America Re's business is primarily obtained through reinsurance
intermediaries. The major portion of the reinsurance it writes is casualty
business, including automobile liability, professional liability and general
liability. Reinsurance is provided both on an excess of loss and quota share
basis. In addition to underwriting reinsurance on its own account, Trenwick
America Re participates in specialized segments of the reinsurance market, such
as property catastrophe, malpractice liability and accident and health, through
strategic alliances with leaders in those segments. Over the five-year period
ended December 31, 1997, the combined ratios of the Company's U.S. reinsurance
operations, computed on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles,
substantially improved from 102.5% in 1993 to 96.5% in 1997.
Trenwick America Re is licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct
reinsurance business in every state and the District of Columbia. Trenwick
America Re's financial strength is rated "A+ (Superior)" by A.M. Best Company,
an independent insurance industry rating organization, and its claims-paying
ability is rated "A+ (Good)" by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. Financial
strength and claims-paying ratings are primarily based upon factors relevant to
reinsureds and policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of
investors.
Trenwick International, located in London, England, was acquired by the
Company in February 1998. Trenwick International underwrites treaty and
facultative reinsurance as well as speciality insurance on a worldwide basis.
Specialized insurance and facultative reinsurance classes include property
insurance of major industrial risks, property and liability insurance for the
leisure, hospitality and other industries, bonds for financial institutions,
engineering and extended warranty risks, accident and health, professional
indemnity, latent defects, yachts and general aviation. Trenwick International's
first branch office, specializing in facultative reinsurance of large technical
property risks, is scheduled to open in Paris, France in the autumn of 1998.
Trenwick International is licensed in the United Kingdom to underwrite all
non-life insurance classes and holds licenses in more than thirty additional
countries. Its financial strength is rated "A (Excellent)" by A.M. Best and its
claims-paying ability is rated "A+ (Good)" by Standard & Poor's Rating Services.
Trenwick America Re has provided Trenwick International with a claims payment
guarantee to enhance security to its policyholders.
The Company's principal executive office is located at Metro Center, One
Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, and its telephone number is (203)
353-5500.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On July 22, 1998, the Company released its unaudited financial results for
the three months ended June 30, 1998. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed July 30, 1998, which has been incorporated into this Prospectus by
reference, includes the text of the Company's press release.
13
<PAGE> 20
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
In connection with the sale of the Old Notes, the Company entered into the
Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial Purchaser, pursuant to which the
Company agreed to file with the Commission and to use its reasonable best
efforts to cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to
the exchange of the Old Notes for Exchange Notes with terms identical in all
material respects to the terms of the Old Notes. A copy of the Registration
Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus constitutes a part.
The Exchange Offer is being made to satisfy the contractual obligations of
the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement. The form and terms of the
Exchange Notes are in all material respects identical to the form and terms of
the Old Notes except that the Exchange Notes have been registered under the
Securities Act and will not be subject to the $100,000 minimum principal amount
transfer restriction and certain other restrictions on transfer applicable to
the Old Notes. The Exchange Notes will not provide, as do the Old Notes, for any
increase in the interest rate thereon, if the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not declared effective or the Exchange Offer is not consummated or
any required Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective. Upon the
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company will have satisfied its
obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and holders of Old Notes
will not be entitled to any such Additional Interest thereon or any further
registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under
limited circumstances with respect to certain broker-dealers. See "Risk
Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Notes" and "Description of
Old Notes."
NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OLD NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS
OF OLD NOTES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT TO THE
EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD NOTES TO TENDER BASED ON
EACH SUCH HOLDER'S OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.
The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Company accept
tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the
Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the
securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "holder" with respect to
the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Notes are registered
on the books of the Company or any other person who has obtained a properly
completed bond power from such holder, or any person whose Old Notes are held of
record by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") who desires to deliver such Old
Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Company hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to
exchange up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes for a
like aggregate principal amount of Old Notes properly tendered on or prior to
the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn in accordance with the procedures
described below. The Company will issue, promptly after the Expiration Date, up
to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes in exchange for a
like principal amount of outstanding Old Notes validly tendered and accepted in
connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Notes may be tendered in the Exchange
Offer for exchange in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000
principal amount notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other
transfers of Old Notes, of a minimum principal transfer amount of $100,000. For
purposes of tenders of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for
minimum transfers of $100,000 will be waived.
14
<PAGE> 21
The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Old Notes being tendered. As of the date of this Prospectus, $75,000,000
aggregate principal amount of Old Notes was outstanding.
Holders of Old Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights in
connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Notes which are not tendered for or are
tendered but not accepted in connection with the Exchange Offer will remain
outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, but will not be
entitled to any further registration rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement, except under limited circumstances with respect to certain
broker-dealers. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old
Notes" and "Description of Old Notes."
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or
otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned,
without expense, to the tendering holder thereof promptly after the Expiration
Date.
Holders who tender Old Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer will not
be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions
in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Old
Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges
and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below under "-- Fees
and Expenses," in connection with the Exchange Offer. See "-- Fees and
Expenses."
The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
, 1998 unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company (in
which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended). The Company has no present expectation
that the Expiration Date will be extended.
The Company expressly reserves the right in its sole and absolute
discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time and from time to time, to (i)
delay the acceptance of the Old Notes for exchange, (ii) terminate the Exchange
Offer (whether or not any Old Notes have theretofore been accepted for exchange)
if the Company determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that any of the
events or conditions referred to under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer"
have occurred or exist or have not been satisfied, (iii) extend the Expiration
Date of the Exchange Offer and retain all Old Notes tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the right of holders of Old Notes to
withdraw their tendered Old Notes as described under "-- Withdrawal Rights," and
(iv) waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in
any respect. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by the
Company to constitute a material change, or if the Company waives a material
condition of the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly disclose such
amendment by means of a Prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the
holders of the Old Notes, and the Company will extend the Exchange Offer to the
extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act.
Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be
followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and by
making a public announcement thereof, and such announcement in the case of an
extension will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting
the manner in which the Company may choose to make any public announcement and
subject to applicable law, the Company shall have no obligation to publish,
advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by
issuing a release to an appropriate news agency.
ACCEPTANCE FOR EXCHANGE AND ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE NOTES
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
Company will exchange, and will issue to the Exchange Agent, Exchange Notes for
Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn promptly after the Expiration Date.
In all cases, delivery of Exchange Notes in exchange for Old Notes tendered
and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (i) Old
15
<PAGE> 22
Notes or a book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes into
the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, including an Agent's Message if the
tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal, (ii) the Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees or (in the case of a book-entry transfer) an
Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and (iii) any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
The term "book-entry confirmation" means a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC. The
term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC to and received by the
Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states
that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering Participant
(as defined herein), which acknowledgment states that such Participant has
received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal and that the
Company may enforce such Letter of Transmittal against such Participant.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Company will
be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged, Old Notes
validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if and when the Company gives oral or
written notice to the Exchange Agent of the Company's acceptance of such Old
Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Agent will act
as agent for the Company for the purpose of receiving tenders of Old Notes,
Letters of Transmittal and related documents, and as agent for tendering holders
for the purpose of receiving Old Notes, Letters of Transmittal and related
documents and transmitting Exchange Notes to validly tendering holders. Such
exchange will be made promptly after the Expiration Date. If for any reason
whatsoever, acceptance for exchange or the exchange of any Old Notes tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer is delayed (whether before or after the Company's
acceptance for exchange of Old Notes) or the Company extends the Exchange Offer
or is unable to accept for exchange or exchange Old Notes tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, then, without prejudice to the Company's rights set forth
herein, the Exchange Agent may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Company and
subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old Notes and
such Old Notes may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering holders are
entitled to withdrawal rights as described under "-- Withdrawal Rights."
Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal or Agent's Message in lieu thereof, a
holder of Old Notes will warrant and agree in the Letter of Transmittal that it
has full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer Old
Notes, that the Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to
the tendered Old Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and
encumbrances, and the Old Notes tendered for exchange are not subject to any
adverse claims or proxies. The holder also will warrant and agree that it will,
upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company
or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange,
sale, assignment, and transfer of the Old Notes tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
VALID TENDER. Except as set forth below, for Old Notes to be validly
tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature
guarantees or (in the case of a book-entry tender) an Agent's Message in lieu of
the Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, must be received by
the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "-- Exchange Agent," on or
prior to the Expiration Date and (i) tendered Old Notes must be received by the
Exchange Agent, or (ii) such Old Notes must be tendered pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer set forth below and a book-entry
confirmation, including an Agent's Message if the tendering holder has not
delivered a Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent, in
each case on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth below must be complied with.
If less than all of the Old Notes are tendered, a tendering holder should
fill in the amount of Old Notes being tendered in the appropriate box on the
Letter of Transmittal or so indicate in an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter
of Transmittal. The entire amount of Old Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent
will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
16
<PAGE> 23
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER,
AND DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER. The Exchange Agent will establish an account with
respect to the Old Notes at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer no later than
two (2) business days after the date of this Prospectus. Any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC's book-entry transfer facility system
may make a book-entry delivery of the Old Notes by causing DTC to transfer such
Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's
procedures for transfers. However, although delivery of Old Notes may be
effected through book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC,
the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees or an Agent's Message in lieu
of a Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, must in any case be
delivered to and received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under
"-- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed
delivery procedure set forth below must be complied with.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH DTC'S PROCEDURES DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. Certificates for the Old Notes need not be endorsed
and signature guarantees on the Letter of Transmittal are unnecessary unless (a)
a certificate for the Old Notes is registered in a name other than that of the
person surrendering the certificate or (b) such holder completes the box
entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" in
the Letter of Transmittal. In the case of (a) or (b) above, such certificates
for Old Notes must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed bond
power, with the endorsement or signature on the bond power and on the Letter of
Transmittal guaranteed by a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Exchange Act as an "eligible guarantor institution," including (as
such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal
securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a
credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association (an "Eligible Institution"),
unless surrendered on behalf of such Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to
the Letter of Transmittal.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY. If a holder desires to tender Old Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and the certificates for such Old Notes are not immediately
available or time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange
Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, such Old Notes may nevertheless
be tendered, provided that all of the following guaranteed delivery procedures
are complied with:
(a) such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying the Letter of Transmittal,
is received by the Exchange Agent, as provided below, on or prior to the
Expiration Date; and
(c) the certificates (or a book-entry confirmation) representing all
tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer, together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or
Agent's Message in lieu thereof), with any required signature guarantees
and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received
by the Exchange Agent within three (3) Nasdaq trading days after the date
of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, or transmitted
by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice.
17
<PAGE> 24
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the delivery of Exchange Notes
in exchange for Old Notes tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will in all cases be made only after timely receipt by the
Exchange Agent of Old Notes, or of a book-entry confirmation with respect to
such Old Notes, and a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof), together with any
required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal. Accordingly, the delivery of Exchange Notes might not be made to
all tendering holders at the same time, and will depend upon when Old Notes,
book-entry confirmations with respect to Old Notes and other required documents
are received by the Exchange Agent.
The Company's acceptance for exchange of Old Notes tendered pursuant to any
of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between
the tendering holder and the Company upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Exchange Offer.
DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY. All questions as to the form of documents,
validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of
any tendered Old Notes will be determined by the Company, in its sole
discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The
Company reserves the absolute right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to
reject any and all tenders determined by them not to be in proper form or the
acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the opinion of counsel to the
Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right, subject to
applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer as set
forth under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any condition or
irregularity in any tender of Old Notes of any particular holder whether or not
similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders.
The interpretation by the Company of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions
thereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Notes will be deemed to
have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender have
been cured or waived. Neither the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give
any notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for
failure to give any such notification.
If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney,
or any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such person should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company,
proper evidence satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of such
person's authority to so act must be submitted.
A beneficial owner of Old Notes that are held by or registered in the name
of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or
custodian is urged to contact such entity promptly if such beneficial holder
wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer.
RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES
The Company is making the Exchange Offer for the Exchange Notes in reliance
on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third
parties in other transactions. However, the Company has not sought its own
interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division
of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with
respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third
parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission, and subject to the two immediately
following sentences, the Company believes that Exchange Notes issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a
broker-dealer) without further compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes
are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and that such
holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such Exchange Notes. However, any holder of Old Notes who is an
"affiliate" of the Company or who intends to participate in the Exchange Offer
for the purpose of
18
<PAGE> 25
distributing Exchange Notes, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes from
the Company for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption
under the Securities Act, (a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of
the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in
the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled
to tender such Old Notes in the Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old Notes unless such sale is
made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. In addition, as described
below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Notes acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Notes
for Exchange Notes, then such broker-dealer must deliver a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of such
Exchange Notes.
Each holder of Old Notes who wishes to exchange Old Notes for Exchange
Notes in the Exchange Offer will be required to represent that (i) such holder
is not an "affiliate" of the Company, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by
such holder are being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii)
such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate
in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange
Notes, and (iv) if such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning
of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Notes. In addition, the Company may
require such holder, as a condition to such holder's eligibility to participate
in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Company (or an agent thereof) in
writing information as to the number of "beneficial owners" (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) on behalf of whom such holder holds the
Notes to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
acknowledge that it acquired the Old Notes for its own account as the result of
market making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal
states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.
Based on the position taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation
Finance of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the
Company believes that Participating Broker-Dealers who acquired Old Notes for
their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to
the Exchange Notes received upon exchange of such Old Notes (other than Old
Notes which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old
Notes) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, which
may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it contains a
description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of such
Exchange Notes.
This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the period referred to below
in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Old Notes
where such Old Notes were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its
own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to
certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
has agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales
of such Exchange Notes for a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date
(subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described below) or,
if earlier, when all such Exchange Notes have been disposed of by such
Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." A Participating
Broker-Dealer who intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale
of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer must notify the Company, or cause the Company to be notified, on or prior
to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice
may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal
or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth
herein under "-- Exchange Agent." Any Participating Broker-Dealer who is an
"affiliate" of the Company may not rely on such interpretive letters and must
comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
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Each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of notice from
the Company of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which
makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
untrue in any material respect or which causes this Prospectus to omit to state
a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained or
incorporated by reference herein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events specified
in the Registration Rights Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will
suspend the sale of Exchange Notes pursuant to this Prospectus until the Company
has amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or
omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to
such Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company has given notice that the sale
of the Exchange Notes may be resumed. If the Company gives such notice to
suspend the sale of the Exchange Notes, it shall extend the 90-day period
referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use
this Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Notes by the number of
days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice
to and including the date when Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received
copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the Exchange Notes or to and including the date on which the Company has given
notice that the sale of Exchange Notes may be resumed.
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
For a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic, telex or
facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by
the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "-- Exchange Agent" on or
prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the
name of the person who tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, the aggregate
principal amount of Old Notes to be withdrawn, and (if certificates for such Old
Notes have been tendered) the name of the registered holder of the Old Notes as
set forth on the Old Notes, if different from that of the person who tendered
such Old Notes. If Old Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the
Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Old Notes, the
tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the particular Old
Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old Notes tendered
for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Notes have been tendered
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "-- Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and
number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old Notes, in
which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange
Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of
tenders of Old Notes may not be rescinded. Old Notes properly withdrawn will not
be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be
retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by
following any of the procedures described above under "-- Procedures for
Tendering Old Notes."
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Neither the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange
Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of
any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for
failure to give any such notification. Any Old Notes which have been tendered
but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof promptly after
withdrawal.
INTEREST ON EXCHANGE NOTES
Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not
receive interest on such Old Notes and will be deemed to have waived the right
to receive any interest on such Old Notes accumulated from and including March
27, 1998. Accordingly, holders of Exchange Notes as of the record date for the
payment of interest on October 1, 1998 will be entitled to interest accumulated
from and including March 27, 1998.
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CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any
extension of the Exchange Offer, the Company will not be required to accept for
exchange, or to exchange, any Old Notes for any Exchange Notes, and, as
described below, may terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Notes
have theretofore been accepted for exchange) or may waive any conditions to or
amend the Exchange Offer, if any of the following conditions have occurred or
exists or have not been satisfied:
(a) there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by the
staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission which
permits the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Old Notes to be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by holders thereof (other than broker-dealers and any such
holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such
Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders'
business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes; or
(b) any law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or
enacted which, in the judgment of the Company, would reasonably be expected
to impair its ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or
(c) a stop order shall have been issued by the Commission or any state
securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened for that purpose or any governmental approval has
not been obtained, which approval the Company shall, in its sole
discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer as
contemplated hereby.
If the Company determines in its sole and absolute discretion that any of
the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists or has not been
satisfied, it may, subject to applicable law, terminate the Exchange Offer
(whether or not any Old Notes have theretofore been accepted for exchange) or
may waive any such condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer
in any respect. If such waiver or amendment constitutes a material change to the
Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment by
means of a Prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered
holders of the Old Notes and will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent
required by Rule l4e-1 under the Exchange Act.
EXCHANGE AGENT
The First National Bank of Chicago has been appointed as Exchange Agent for
the Exchange Offer. Delivery of the Letters of Transmittal and any other
required documents, questions, requests for assistance, and requests for
additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should be
directed to the Exchange Agent as follows:
By Registered or Certified Mail, Hand or Overnight Delivery:
The First National Bank of Chicago
c/o First Chicago Trust Company of New York
14 Wall Street
8th Floor, Window 2
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Department
Confirm by Telephone:
(212) 240-8801
Facsimile Transmissions:
(Eligible Institutions Only)
(212) 240-8938
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Delivery to an address other than as set forth above or transmission of
instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will not constitute a
valid delivery.
FEES AND EXPENSES
The Company has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary
fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable
out-of-pocket-expenses in connection therewith. The Company will also pay
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus
and related documents to the beneficial owners of Old Notes, and in handling or
tendering for their customers.
Subject to the following sentence, holders who tender their Old Notes for
exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of Old Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of
any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other
persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.
The Company will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or other nominees
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.
DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE NOTES
Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company has issued the Old
Notes and will issue the Exchange Notes. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of
the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. A copy of the
Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings attributed to them in the
Indenture (unless otherwise defined herein).
The terms of the Exchange Notes include those stated in the Indenture and
(upon effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement) those made part of the Indenture by reference to the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The
Exchange Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders of the Exchange Notes
are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of
them. As used herein, "Holder" or "Noteholder" refers to a registered holder of
the Exchange Notes.
GENERAL
The Notes (including the Old Notes and the Exchange Notes) are limited to
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount, will mature on April 1, 2003 and will be
unsecured obligations of the Company. The Exchange Notes will be issued only in
fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof. The Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate set forth
on the front cover of this Prospectus from March 27, 1998 (the date of original
issuance of the Old Notes), or from the most recent date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1
of each year, commencing October 1, 1998, to the registered holders at the close
of business on the March 15 or September 15 preceding such April 1 or October 1,
whether or not such day is a business day. Interest on the Exchange Notes will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
The Indenture and the Notes do not contain financial covenants requiring
the Company to maintain a certain financial condition or limitations on the
amount of additional debt that the Company or its subsidiaries may incur or on
their ability to engage in a highly leveraged transaction. However, the
Indenture restricts (subject to certain exclusions) the aggregate amount of
secured indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries
(as defined in the Indenture) to not more than 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth (as defined below) unless the Noteholders are secured equally and ratably
thereunder. See
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"-- Certain Covenants -- Limitations on Liens." Based on the Company's
consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 1998, the aggregate amount of
secured indebtedness for borrowed money that the Company and its Subsidiaries
could incur (other than for the exclusions referred to in the Indenture), unless
the Noteholders are secured equally and ratably thereunder, would be
approximately $36.4 million. The Indenture also provides certain limitations on
transactions involving sales of assets or disposition of Capital Stock (as
defined therein) of Significant Subsidiaries (as defined therein). See
"-- Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" and "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitations on Disposition of Capital Stock of Significant
Subsidiaries."
As a holding company, the Company's principal source of funds, including
funds available to pay interest and principal on the Exchange Notes or make
payments with respect to its capital stock, is cash dividends from Trenwick
America Re and Trenwick International. Accordingly, the Company's ability to pay
interest and principal on the Exchange Notes is dependent on the receipt of such
dividends. The payment of dividends by Trenwick America Re is subject to limits
imposed by the insurance laws and regulations of the State of Connecticut, its
state of incorporation and domicile. Trenwick International is subject to
restrictions on the declaration or payment of dividends imposed under United
Kingdom law. See "Risk Factors -- Holding Company Structure and Dividend
Restrictions."
Principal of and interest on the Exchange Notes will be payable, and
transfers will be registrable, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in
the City of New York, New York, unless the Company otherwise notifies the
Trustee. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Interest may, at the option of the Company be paid by check mailed to the
address of a holder of the Exchange Notes as it appears on the Exchange Note
register. The Company has initially appointed the Trustee as Registrar and
Paying Agent for the Exchange Notes. The Trustee's current address is One First
National Plaza, Suite 0126, Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126, Attention: Corporate
Trust Services Division.
NO REDEMPTION OR SINKING FUND
The Exchange Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity and are not subject
to any sinking fund.
RANKING
The Notes will be general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in
right of payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the
Company and pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future senior
unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The Notes will rank senior in right of
payment to the Company's obligations with respect to its 8.82% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures held by the Trust in respect of the
$110.0 million 8.82% Capital Securities issued by the Trust. Upon closing of the
offer and sale of the Old Notes, the Company contributed approximately $65.0
million to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trenwick International, to support its
insurance and reinsurance operations, including increasing its statutory capital
to support its underwriting capacity. Remaining net proceeds of approximately
$9.2 million are to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include
investments in and advances to subsidiaries, the financing of growth and
expansion, the financing of possible future acquisitions and other corporate
purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
The Company conducts its operations primarily through its subsidiaries. The
right of the Company to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise
(and thus the ability of holders of the Notes to benefit indirectly from such
distribution) is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary,
including its reinsureds and insureds, except to the extent that the Company may
itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Claims on the Company's
subsidiaries by creditors other than the Company include claims for policy
benefits and debt obligations as well as other liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business. Accordingly, the Notes will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's
subsidiaries, and the holders of the Notes should look only to the assets of the
Company for payments on the Notes. As of March 31, 1998, the
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<PAGE> 30
Company's subsidiaries had $824.6 million in total liabilities and $1.4 billion
in total assets. As of March 31, 1998, the aggregate amount of indebtedness for
borrowed money of such subsidiaries was immaterial. (The foregoing amounts do
not include the obligations of the Company with respect to the $110.0 million
aggregate principal amount of its 8.82% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures held by the Trust in respect of the $110.0 million 8.82% Capital
Securities issued by the Trust.) As of March 31, 1998, the aggregate amount of
indebtedness for borrowed money for Trenwick International was not material.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Limitations on Liens. Except as provided below, neither the Company nor
any Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture) may incur, issue,
assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money (referred to in the
Indenture as "Indebtedness") secured by a Lien (as defined in the Indenture) on
any property or assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or any
shares of Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary, without effectively
providing that the Notes (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any
other Indebtedness which is not subordinated to the Notes) shall be secured
equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Indebtedness, so long as such
Indebtedness shall be so secured, unless after giving effect thereto, the
aggregate amount of all such secured Indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries would not exceed 10% of the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of the
Company; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to, and there
shall be excluded from secured Indebtedness in any computation under this
covenant, Indebtedness secured by: (i) Liens existing on the date of the
Indenture; (ii) Liens on property of, or on any shares of stock of, any
corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Significant
Subsidiary or merges into or consolidates with the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary; (iii) Liens on property or shares of stock existing at the time of
acquisition thereof by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; (iv) Liens to
secure the financing of the acquisition, construction or improvement of
property, or the acquisition of shares of stock by the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary, provided, that such Liens are created not later than one
year after such acquisition or, in the case of property, completion of
construction or commencement of commercial operation, whichever is later; (v)
Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary; (vi) Liens in favor of or
required by governmental authorities; and (vii) any extension, renewal or
replacement as a whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in the foregoing
clauses (i) to (vi) inclusive; provided, however, that (a) such extension,
renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or a part of the same
property or shares of stock that secured the Lien extended, renewed or replaced
and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased.
"Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, at any date, the total assets
appearing on the most recently prepared consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of a fiscal quarter of the Company,
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, less (a) the total liabilities appearing on such balance
sheet and (b) intangible assets. "Intangible assets" means the value (net of any
applicable reserves), as shown on or reflected in such balance sheet, of: (i)
all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill; (ii)
organizational and development costs; and (iii) unamortized debt discount and
expense, less unamortized premium. "Intangible assets" excludes deferred policy
acquisition costs and deferred income tax assets.
Limitations on Disposition of Capital Stock of Significant
Subsidiaries. The Indenture provides that, except as provided in the covenant
relating to limitation on Liens, the Company will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture) to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
of any shares of Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary (or of any
Subsidiary having direct or indirect control of any Significant Subsidiary)
except for, subject to the covenant relating to consolidations, mergers and
sales (see "-- Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets"), (i) a sale, transfer
or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary (or of
any Subsidiary having direct or indirect control of any Significant Subsidiary)
to the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) a sale,
transfer or other disposition of all or any part of the Capital Stock of any
Significant Subsidiary (or of any Subsidiary having direct or indirect control
of any Significant Subsidiary) held by the Company and/or and any Subsidiary for
at least fair value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company
acting in good faith). "Significant Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of the
Company which at the time of determination has, (i) assets which constituted at
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<PAGE> 31
least 10% of the Company's consolidated total assets, or (ii) revenues which
constituted at least 10% of the Company's consolidated total revenues or (iii)
net earnings which constituted at least 10% of the Company's consolidated total
net earnings, all as determined as of the date of the Company's most recently
prepared quarterly financial statements or the 12-month period then ended. As of
the date of this Prospectus, the Significant Subsidiaries are Trenwick America
Re and Trenwick International.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Events of Default under the Indenture include: (i) failure of the Company
to pay any interest on any of the Notes when due, continued for 30 days; (ii)
failure of the Company to pay principal of any of the Notes when due; (iii)
failure of the Company to perform any other agreements in the Notes or the
Indenture, continued for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee as
provided in the Indenture; (iv) failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to pay
when due (including any grace periods) any Indebtedness in excess of $10,000,000
or the default in the performance of any term or provision contained in any such
Indebtedness which results in the acceleration of maturity of such Indebtedness,
unless such acceleration of maturity is being contested in a good faith
proceeding or has been rescinded or annulled, as provided in the Indenture; and
(v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary.
In each such case, unless the principal of all of the Notes shall already
have become due, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice as provided
in the Indenture, may declare the principal of all the Notes and the interest
accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, except that in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all
outstanding Notes shall automatically become due and payable without further
action or notice. If, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have
been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment for the payment of the
moneys due shall have been obtained, the Company shall pay or deposit with the
Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all
the Notes and the principal of any and all Notes that shall have become due
otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal), and if any
and all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the
principal of Notes that shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been
cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided in the Indenture, then and in
every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding, under certain circumstances, may waive all defaults and
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences.
No holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such holder shall
have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default (as defined) and unless also the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent
with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60
days. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of
a Note for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any,
or interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such
Note.
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Note affected thereby, (i) change the maturity of the principal of,
or any installment of interest on, any Note, (ii) reduce the principal amount
of, or interest on, any Note, (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Note, (iv) reduce the
above-stated percentage of
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outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend the Indenture, or (v) reduce the
percentage of aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes necessary for
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of
certain defaults.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into any other
corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties or assets as an entirety
or substantially as an entirety to any person, unless (i) the successor or
purchaser is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) such
successor or purchaser shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture
satisfactory in form to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes and the
performance and observance of every covenant and condition of the Company under
the Indenture, and (iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
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.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
The Company may satisfy and discharge its obligations under the Indenture
by delivering to the Trustee for cancellation all outstanding Notes and paying
or causing to be paid all other sums payable thereunder by the Company, together
with an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel and subject to certain
other conditions. In addition, the Indenture provides that at any time the
Company may terminate substantially all of its obligations under the Indenture
and the Notes ("defeasance") (including the covenants described under
"-- Certain Covenants," but excluding its obligations to pay the principal of
and interest on the Notes, those relating to the defeasance trust, and certain
other obligations) by irrevocably depositing with the Trustee United States
legal tender or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay all principal of
and remaining interest on the Notes to maturity to be discharged as and when due
and by complying with certain other conditions relating to discharge. "U.S.
Government Obligations" are direct, non-callable obligations of, or non-callable
obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which
obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged. The conditions to defeasance include, among others, receipt by the
Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would have been the case
without the defeasance and delivery to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the
defeasance of the Notes have been complied with. If the Company exercises its
option to defease, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an
Event of Default.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Exchange Notes shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard
to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
FORM, DENOMINATION, BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND TRANSFER
Exchange Notes initially will be represented by one Exchange Note
certificate in registered, global form (the "Global Note"). The Global Note will
be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York,
New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for
credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC.
Except as set forth below, beneficial interests in the Global Note may be
transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Note may not
be exchanged for Notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances
described below. See "-- Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes."
Other Exchange Notes will be issued only in registered, certificated (i.e.,
non-global) form without coupons. Other Exchange Notes may not be exchanged for
beneficial interests in the Exchange Global Note
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except in the limited circumstances described below. See "-- Exchange of
Certificated Notes for Book-Entry Notes."
Transfer of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be subject to the
applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants,
which may change from time to time.
Depositary Procedures
DTC has advised the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively,
the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchaser), banks, trust
companies, clearing companies and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's
system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect
Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect
Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each
actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on
the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised the Company that, pursuant to procedures established
by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Note, DTC will credit the accounts of
Participants designated by the Initial Purchaser with portions of the principal
amount of the Global Note and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Global
Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected
only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by
the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Note).
Investors in the Global Note may hold their interests therein directly
through DTC if they are participants in such system, or indirectly through
organizations which are participants in such system. The laws of some states
require that certain persons take physical delivery in certificated form of
securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in the Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent.
Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf
of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having
beneficial interests in the Global Note to pledge such interests to persons or
entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in
respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate
evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the transferability
of the Notes, see "-- Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes" and
"-- Exchange of Certificated Notes for Book-Entry Notes."
Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Note will not
have Notes registered in their name, will not receive physical delivery of Notes
in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders
thereof for any purpose. The deposit of the Global Note with the Trustee as a
custodian for DTC and its registration with DTC or DTC's nominee effects no
change in the beneficial owners of interest in the Global Note.
Payments in respect of the Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its
nominee will be payable by the Trustee to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as
the registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the
Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global
Note, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such
payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither
the Trustee nor any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or
liability for (i) any aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Note, or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's
records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note or
(ii) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its
Participants or Indirect Participants. DTC has advised the Company that its
current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as
the Notes, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the
payment on the payment date, in amounts
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<PAGE> 34
proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial
interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC unless DTC has
reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by
the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes
will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be
the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not
be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee, or the Company. Neither the Company
nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants
in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and the Company and the
Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on
instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
The Indenture will require that payments in respect of the Exchange Notes
represented by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, interest
and Additional Interest, if any) be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the Clearing Agency (as defined herein), which shall credit
the relevant accounts at the Clearing Agency. With respect to the Other Exchange
Notes, the Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any,
interest and Additional Interest, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such
account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered
address. The Exchange Notes represented by the Global Note will trade in DTC's
Same-Day Funds Settlement System and any permitted secondary market trading
activity in such Notes will therefore settle in immediately available funds,
subject in all cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its Participants.
Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's
procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. The Company expects that
secondary trading of the Other Exchange Notes will also be settled in
immediately available funds.
DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of Exchange Notes only at the direction of one or more
Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Note are credited
and only in respect of such portion of the principal amount of the Notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction.
However, if there is an Event of Default under the Indenture, DTC reserves the
right to exchange the Global Note for Exchange Notes in certificated form and to
distribute such Exchange Notes to its Participants.
The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the
Company does not take responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes
The Global Note is exchangeable for Exchange Notes in registered
certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary for the Global Note and the Company thereupon
fails to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days or (y) has ceased to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company in its sole
discretion elects to cause the issuance of the Exchange Notes in certificated
form, (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or
any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would be an Event of
Default under the Indenture, or (iv) as provided in the following paragraph. In
addition, beneficial interests in the Global Note may be exchanged for
certificated Exchange Notes upon request but only upon at least 20 days prior
written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with
customary procedures. In all cases, certificated Exchange Notes delivered in
exchange for the Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be in fully
registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of that amount. Upon issuance of Exchange Notes in definitive
form, the Trustee is required to register such Exchange Notes in the name of,
and cause the Exchange Notes to be delivered to, the person or persons (or
nominee thereof) identified as the beneficial owners as DTC shall direct.
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Book-Entry Notes
Old Notes were offered and sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in
reliance on Rule 144A ("Rule 144A Notes"). Old Notes were also offered to
institutional accredited investors in transactions exempt from registration
under the Securities Act not made in reliance on Rule 144A. However, all of the
Old Notes were
28
<PAGE> 35
purchased by "qualified institutional buyers" in reliance on Rule 144A and were
issued in registered, global (i.e., book-entry) form ("Old Global Notes").
Beneficial interests in the Old Global Notes may not be exchanged for Other Old
Notes in registered, certificated (i.e., non-global) form except in limited
circumstances. To the extent Old Global Notes have been exchanged for Other Old
Notes in registered, certificated form, beneficial interests in such Other Old
Notes shall, upon the valid exchange thereof, be represented by Other Exchange
Notes in registered, certificated (i.e., non-global) form. Exchange Notes issued
in certificated form may be exchanged for an interest in the Exchange Global
Note, unless the Exchange Global Note has previously been exchanged in whole for
Other Exchange Notes.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
The clearing agency for the Exchange Notes (the "Clearing Agency") shall
initially be DTC. The Indenture will require that payments in respect of the
Exchange Notes represented by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if
any, interest and Additional Interest, if any) be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the Clearing Agency, which shall credit the
relevant accounts at the Clearing Agency. With respect to the Other Exchange
Notes, the Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any,
interest and Additional Interest, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such
account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered
address. The paying agent for the Exchange Notes (the "Paying Agent") shall
initially be the Trustee. The Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as
Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Trustee and the Company. In the
event that the Trustee shall no longer be the Paying Agent, the Company shall
appoint a successor (which shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the
Company) to act as Paying Agent.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the Notes.
Registration of transfers of the Exchange Notes will be effected without
charge by or on behalf of the Company, subject to payment of any tax or other
governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or
exchange. The Company will not be required to register or cause to be registered
the transfer of the Notes after they have been called for redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an Event
of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth
in the Indenture and, after such Event of Default, must exercise the same degree
of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of
his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indenture at the
request of any holder of Notes unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against
the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If no Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Trustee is required to decide
between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the
Indenture or is unsure of the application of any provision of the Indenture, and
the matter is not one on which holders of the Notes are entitled under the
Indenture to vote, then the Trustee shall take such action as is directed by the
Company and, if not so directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable
and in the best interests of the holders of the Notes and will have no liability
except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
The Trustee currently provides commercial banking and other services to the
Company.
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<PAGE> 36
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
The information contained in this section is relevant to holders of Old
Notes whose Old Notes are not tendered or accepted for exchange by the
Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a
Failure to Exchange Old Notes."
The terms of the Old Notes are identical in all material respects to terms
of the Exchange Notes, except that (i) the Old Notes have not been registered
under the Securities Act, are subject to certain restrictions on transfer and
are entitled to certain rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (which
rights will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, except under
limited circumstances), (ii) the Old Notes contain a $100,000 minimum transfer
restriction and certain other restrictions on transfer, and (iii) the Old Notes
provide for Additional Interest which will terminate as set forth below. The
Registration Rights Agreement provides that, if an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (if required to be filed) is not
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to September 20, 1998,
Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Old Notes
affected thereby, at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such
Old Notes, for the period from the occurrence of such event until such time the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any required Shelf Registration
Statement is declared effective. In addition, if the Exchange Offer is not
consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, Additional Interest shall
accrue on the principal amount of the Notes affected thereby, until the Exchange
Offer is consummated. Upon the completion of the Exchange Offer, the Company
will have satisfied its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and
the Old Notes will not be entitled to any such Additional Interest. Accordingly,
holders of Old Notes should review the information set forth under "Risk
Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Notes" and "Description of
Exchange Notes."
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<PAGE> 37
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND INVESTMENT IN
THE EXCHANGE NOTES
The following summary describes the material United States federal income
tax consequences of the exchange of the Old Notes for Exchange Notes and
ownership of the Exchange Notes to a holder of an Exchange Note that is a
citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, a partnership or other
entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof, an estate the income of which is subject to
United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust which
is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the
control of one or more United States persons as described in Section 7701(a)(30)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (a "Holder").
Except where noted, this summary deals only with Old Notes and Exchange Notes
held as capital assets and does not deal with special situations, such as those
of dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, life insurance
companies, persons holding Old Notes and Exchange Notes as part of a hedging or
conversion transaction or a straddle, certain expatriates, and holders of Old
Notes and Exchange Notes whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar.
Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and
regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof,
and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified so as to result in
federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. In
addition, except as otherwise indicated, the following does not consider the
effect of any applicable foreign, state or local or other tax laws or estate or
gift tax considerations. PERSONS CONSIDERING THE EXCHANGE OFFER SHOULD CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IN LIGHT
OF THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE
LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
EXCHANGE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES
The issuance of the Exchange Notes to holders of the Old Notes pursuant to
the terms set forth in this Prospectus should not constitute an exchange for
U.S. federal income tax purposes because (a) the Exchange Notes should not be
considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the Old Notes and (b) the
exchange will occur by operation of the terms of the Old Notes. Consequently, no
gain or loss would be recognized by holders of the Old Notes upon receipt of the
Exchange Notes, and ownership of the Exchange Notes will be considered a
continuation of ownership of the Old Notes. For purposes of determining gain or
loss upon the subsequent sale or exchange of the Exchange Notes, a Holder's
basis in the Exchange Notes should be the same as such Holder's basis in the Old
Notes exchanged therefor. A Holder's holding period for the Exchange Notes
should include the Holder's holding period for the Old Notes exchanged therefor.
The issue price and other tax characteristics of the Exchange Notes should be
identical to the issue price and other tax characteristics of the Old Notes
exchanged therefor.
STATED INTEREST ON EXCHANGE NOTES; MARKET DISCOUNT; BOND PREMIUM
Except as set forth below, interest on an Exchange Note will generally be
taxable to a Holder as ordinary income from domestic sources at the time it is
paid or accrued in accordance with the Holder's method of accounting for tax
purposes.
Market Discount. These market discount rules discussed below would apply
to any Holder who purchases an Exchange Note for less than the stated amount at
maturity of the Old Notes.
Any gain recognized by a Holder on the disposition (including a redemption)
of an Exchange Note that has accrued market discount will be treated as ordinary
income to the extent of the accrued market discount, provided that the amount of
market discount exceeds a statutorily-defined de minimis amount. The amount of
"market discount" would be the excess, if any, of (i) the Exchange Note's stated
redemption price at maturity over (ii) the purchase price of the Exchange Note.
Under the de minimis exception, there is no market discount if such excess is
less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the
number of complete years to maturity. Unless the Holder elects otherwise, the
accrued market discount would be the amount calculated by multiplying the market
discount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
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<PAGE> 38
days the Exchange Note has been held and the denominator of which is the number
of days after the Holder's acquisition of the Exchange Note up to and including
its maturity date.
If a Holder of an Exchange Note acquired at a market discount disposes of
such Exchange Note in any transaction other than a sale, exchange or involuntary
conversion, even though otherwise non-taxable (e.g., a gift), such Holder will
be deemed to have realized an amount equal to the fair market value of the
Exchange Note and would be required to recognize as ordinary income any accrued
market discount to the extent of the deemed gain. A Holder of an Exchange Note
acquired at a market discount also may be required to defer the deduction of all
or a portion of the interest on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to carry
the Exchange Note until it is disposed of in a taxable transaction.
A Holder may elect to include the market discount in income as it accrues.
This election would apply to all market discount obligations acquired by the
electing Holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the
election applies and may be revoked only with the consent of the Internal
Revenue Service. If a Holder of an Exchange Note so elects to include market
discount in income currently, the above-discussed rules with respect to ordinary
income recognition resulting from sales and certain other disposition
transactions and to deferral of interest deductions would not apply.
Bond Premium. If a Holder purchases an Exchange Note at a cost that
exceeds the amount payable on maturity (such excess being the "bond premium"),
the Holder may elect to amortize such bond premium on a constant interest basis
over the period from the acquisition date to the maturity date of such Exchange
Note and, except as future Treasury Regulations may otherwise provide, reduce
the amount of interest included in income in respect of the Exchange Note by
such amount. A Holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce its
adjusted basis in the Exchange Note by the amount of such allowable
amortization. An election to amortize bond premium would apply to all
amortizable bond premium on all taxable bonds held at or acquired after the
beginning of the Holder's taxable year as to which the election is made, and may
be revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
If an election to amortize bond premium is not made, a Holder will
generally receive a tax benefit from the bond premium only upon computing its
gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition or payment of the principal
amount of the Exchange Note.
SALE, EXCHANGE AND RETIREMENT OF EXCHANGE NOTES
A Holder's basis in an Exchange Note, in general, will be the Holder's cost
therefor, increased by any market discount previously included in income and
reduced by any amortized bond premium. Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or
other disposition of an Exchange Note, a Holder will recognize gain or loss
equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange,
retirement or other disposition and the basis of the Exchange Note. Except as
described above with respect to market discount, such gain or loss will be
capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time
of sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition the Exchange Note has been
held for more than one year. Net long-term capital gain recognized by an
individual from the sale, exchange or retirement of an Exchange Note will
generally be subject to tax at a rate not to exceed 20%. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments on an
Exchange Note and to the proceeds of sale of an Exchange Note made to Holders
other than certain exempt recipients (such as corporations). A 31% backup
withholding tax will apply to such payments if the Holder fails to provide a
taxpayer identification number or certification of foreign or other exempt
status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income.
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<PAGE> 39
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in
connection with the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by Participating Broker-Dealers during the period referred to below in
connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Old Notes if
such Old Notes were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealers for their own
accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
The Company has agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in
connection with resales of such Exchange Notes for a period ending 90 days after
the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances
described herein) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange Notes have been
disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. However, a Participating
Broker-Dealer who intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale
of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer must notify the Company, or cause the Company to be notified, on or prior
to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice
may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal
or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth
herein under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent." See "The Exchange
Offer -- Resales of Exchange Notes."
The Company will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
Exchange Notes offered hereby. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for
their own accounts in connection with the Exchange Offer may be sold from time
to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in
negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or
a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or
concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such
Exchange Notes.
Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for
its own account in connection with the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer
that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any
such resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any
such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities
Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Exchange Notes will be passed upon for the Company by
Baker & McKenzie, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries
incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, have been incorporated herein by reference
in reliance upon the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Law")
authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of
directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of directors' fiduciary duty of care. Article IV of the Company's By-laws
requires indemnification of the Company's directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by the Delaware Law and provides for the advancement of defense
expenses provided the director or officer agrees to repay the advance if it is
ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification. Article IV
also provides that the indemnification provided by the By-laws is not exclusive.
Section 145 (a) of the Delaware Law provides in general that a corporation may
indemnify anyone who is or may be a party to a legal proceeding by reason of his
service as a director or officer against expenses, judgments, fines and
settlement payments actually and reasonably incurred if he acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and, as to any criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 145(b) of the
Delaware Law provides similarly where the proceeding is by or in the right of
the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor. Section 145(g) of the
Delaware Law allows a corporation to maintain insurance on behalf of any officer
or director against any liability incurred by him in such capacity, whether or
not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability
under law. The Company maintains such directors and officers liability insurance
in an amount aggregating $20.0 million.
Each of the Company's directors has entered into a supplementary indemnity
agreement with the Company which (i) confirms the indemnity set forth in the
By-laws and gives assurances that such indemnity will continue to be provided
despite any By-law changes and (ii) provides, subject to certain conditions,
that the director shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law
against all expenses, fines and settlement amounts incurred or paid by him in
any proceeding.
As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware Law, Article 12 of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation eliminates personal liability of any
director to the Company and its stockholders for breach of the director's
fiduciary duty of care, except where the director has breached his duty of
loyalty, acted in bad faith, engaged in intentional or knowing misconduct,
negligently or willfully declared an improper dividend or effected an unlawful
stock purchase or redemption, or obtained an improper personal benefit.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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<PAGE> 41
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
4.1 Indenture dated as of March 27, 1998 between Trenwick Group
Inc. and The National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, relating
to the Notes
4.2 Form of Exchange Note (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)
4.3 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 27, 1998
between Trenwick Group Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., as the
Initial Purchaser
5.1 Opinion of Baker & McKenzie to Trenwick Group Inc. as to
legality of the Exchange Notes to be issued by Trenwick
Group Inc.
12.1 Computation of consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed
charges
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2 Consent of Baker & McKenzie (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 Power of Attorney of certain directors of Trenwick Group
Inc.
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank
of Chicago to act as trustee under the Indenture
99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal
99.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.3 Form of Exchange Agent Agreement
99.4 Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust
Companies and Other Nominees
99.5 Form of Letter to Clients
</TABLE>
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
Registration Statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), each filing of Trenwick Group Inc.'s annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("Exchange Act") (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrants pursuant to the provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
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<PAGE> 42
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by the controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired or involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), Trenwick Group Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds
to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Stamford and State of
Connecticut, on the 5th day of August, 1998.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR.
------------------------------------
James F. Billett, Jr.
Chairman, President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR. Chairman, President, Chief August 5, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- Executive Officer and Director
James F. Billett, Jr.
/s/ ALAN L. HUNTE Vice President,Chief Financial August 5, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- Officer
Alan L. Hunte and Treasurer
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
W. Marston Becker
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
Anthony S. Brown
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
Neil Dunn
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
P. Anthony Jacobs
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
Joseph D. Sargent
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
Frederick D. Watkins
* Director August 5, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
Stephen R. Wilcox
* By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR.
- ---------------------------------------------------
James F. Billett, Jr.
Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF MARCH 27, 1998
BETWEEN
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
AND
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
AS TRUSTEE
$75,000,000
6.70% SENIOR NOTES DUE APRIL 1, 2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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<C> <S> <C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions................................................. 1
ARTICLE II
NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally............................................. 7
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication................................ 7
SECTION 2.03. Form and Payment............................................ 8
SECTION 2.04. Legends..................................................... 8
SECTION 2.05. Global Note................................................. 8
SECTION 2.06. Interest.................................................... 9
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange....................................... 10
SECTION 2.08. Replacement Notes........................................... 11
SECTION 2.09. Treasury Notes.............................................. 12
SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes............................................. 12
SECTION 2.11. Cancellation................................................ 12
SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest.......................................... 13
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers............................................... 13
ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, and Interest and Additional 14
Interest....................................................
SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. ..................... 14
SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office.......... 15
SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent................................ 15
SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee...................................... 16
SECTION 3.06. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.................... 16
SECTION 3.07. Corporate Existence......................................... 16
SECTION 3.08. Limitation on Liens......................................... 16
SECTION 3.09. Limitation on Disposition of Capital Stock of Significant 17
Subsidiaries................................................
SECTION 3.10. Payment Upon Resignation or Removal......................... 18
SECTION 3.11. Taxes and Other Claims...................................... 18
ARTICLE IV
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. Noteholders' Lists.......................................... 18
SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists........................ 19
SECTION 4.03. Reports of the Company...................................... 20
SECTION 4.04. Reports by the Trustee...................................... 21
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default........................................... 21
SECTION 5.02. Payment of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor.................. 23
SECTION 5.03. Limitation on Suits......................................... 24
SECTION 5.04. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee.................. 25
SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Noteholders.................................. 25
</TABLE>
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SECTION 5.06. Proceedings by Trustee...................................... 26
SECTION 5.07. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.......................... 26
SECTION 5.08. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority 27
of Noteholders..............................................
SECTION 5.09. Notice of Defaults.......................................... 27
SECTION 5.10. Undertaking to Pay Costs.................................... 28
SECTION 5.11. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws............................ 28
SECTION 5.12. Delay or Omission Not Waiver................................ 28
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee...................... 29
SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. ...................... 30
SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. ....................... 31
SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer 31
Agents or Registrar May Own Notes...........................
SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust.................................. 32
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee........................ 32
SECTION 6.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence........................... 33
SECTION 6.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee............................. 33
SECTION 6.09. Eligibility of Trustee...................................... 33
SECTION 6.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee........................... 34
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee............................. 35
SECTION 6.12. Succession by Merger, etc. ................................. 35
SECTION 6.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor............... 36
SECTION 6.14. Authenticating Agents....................................... 36
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE NOTEHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. Action by Noteholders....................................... 37
SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Noteholders........................... 38
SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners.............................. 38
SECTION 7.04. Notes Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding............... 38
SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound................ 39
ARTICLE VIII
NOTEHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 8.01. Purpose of Meetings......................................... 39
SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee................................. 40
SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Noteholders.................. 40
SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting................................... 40
SECTION 8.05. Regulations................................................. 40
SECTION 8.06. Voting...................................................... 42
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Noteholders.............................. 42
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Noteholders................................. 43
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act of 1939; Effect of 44
Supplemental Indentures.....................................
SECTION 9.04. Notation on Notes........................................... 45
SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be 45
Furnished to Trustee........................................
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ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms............. 45
SECTION 10.02. Successor Corporation to be Substituted for Company......... 46
SECTION 10.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee...................... 46
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 11.01. Discharge of Indenture...................................... 47
SECTION 11.02. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held 47
in Trust by Trustee.........................................
SECTION 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held........................... 48
SECTION 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys.................................. 48
SECTION 11.05. Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government 48
Obligations.................................................
SECTION 11.06. Reinstatement............................................... 49
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS
AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations............ 50
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01. Successors.................................................. 50
SECTION 13.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation...................... 50
SECTION 13.03. Surrender of Company Powers................................. 50
SECTION 13.04. Address for Notices, etc. .................................. 51
SECTION 13.05. Governing Law............................................... 51
SECTION 13.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............ 51
SECTION 13.07. Business Days............................................... 51
SECTION 13.08. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to Control...................... 52
SECTION 13.09. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. .......................... 52
SECTION 13.10. Execution in Counterparts................................... 52
SECTION 13.11. Separability................................................ 52
SECTION 13.12. Assignment.................................................. 52
SECTION 13.13. No Sinking Fund............................................. 52
EXHIBIT A.................................................................... A-1
EXHIBIT B.................................................................... B-1
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of March 27, 1998, between Trenwick Group Inc., a
corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
sometimes called the "Company"), and The First National Bank of Chicago, a
national banking association, as trustee (hereinafter sometimes called the
"Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Notes (as defined
herein) by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the
Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from
time to time of the Notes, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. DEFINITIONS.
The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of
this Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section
1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (as defined below) or which are by reference therein
defined in the Securities Act (as defined below), shall (except as herein
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and in the
Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture as originally executed.
All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and the term "generally accepted accounting principles" means such
accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation.
The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import
refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
other subdivision. Headings are used for convenience of reference only and do
not affect interpretation. The singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement. Any reference herein or in the Notes to "interest" shall also
refer to Additional Interest, to the extent such Additional Interest is payable
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Affiliate" shall have the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405
under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"Authenticating Agent" shall mean any agent or agents of the Trustee which
at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.14.
"Bankruptcy Law" shall mean Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.
"Board of Directors" shall mean either the Board of Directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors.
"Board Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Notes, any day
other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The
City of New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order
to close.
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time
after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is
<PAGE> 6
not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust
Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
"Capital Stock" shall mean any and all shares, interests, participations or
equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or any and all equivalent
ownership interests in a Person other than a corporation).
"Company" shall mean Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and,
subject to the provisions of Article X, shall include its successors and
assigns.
"Company Request" or "Company Order" shall mean a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President (however designated), the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the
Trustee.
"Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, at any date, the total assets
appearing on the most recently prepared consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of a fiscal quarter of the Company,
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, less (a) the total liabilities appearing on such balance
sheet and (b) intangible assets. "Intangible assets" means the value (net of any
applicable reserves), as shown on or reflected in such balance sheet, of: (i)
all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill; (ii)
organizational and development costs; and (iii) unamortized debt discount and
expense. "Intangible assets" excludes deferred policy acquisition costs and
deferred income tax assets.
"Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Default" shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Definitive Notes" shall mean those Notes issued in fully registered
certificated form but not Notes issued in global form.
"Depositary" shall mean, with respect to Notes of any series, for which the
Company shall determine that such Notes will be issued as a Global Note, The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any
successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other
applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by
the Company pursuant to Section 2.05(d).
"Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section 5.01,
continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if
any, therein designated.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Notes" shall mean the Company's 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1,
2003, issued pursuant to an Exchange Offer (including any Private Exchange (as
defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)), as authenticated and issued
under this Indenture.
"Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer that may be made pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement by the Company to exchange Exchange Notes for
Initial Notes.
"Global Notes" shall mean those Notes issued in global form, and "Global
Note" shall mean the Note executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee
to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, all in accordance
with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or
its nominee.
"Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" shall mean any obligation of, or any
obligation guaranteed by, the Company for the repayment of borrowed money,
whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written
instruments.
"Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may
from time to time be modified, amended or supplemented by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the
2
<PAGE> 7
applicable provision hereof including, for all purposes of this instrument and
any supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such
supplemental indenture, respectively.
"Initial Notes" shall mean the Company's 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1,
2003, as initially authenticated and issued under this Indenture.
"Investment Company Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
"Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06.
"Non Book-Entry Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.05.
"Notes" shall mean, collectively, the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes.
"Noteholder", "holder of Notes", or other similar terms, shall mean any
Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the register
kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms
hereof.
"Officers" shall mean any of the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President (however designated), the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by (i) the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
President, the Chief Executive Officer or a Vice President, and (ii) the Chief
Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant
Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the
Trustee, which certificate shall comply with the provisions of Section 13.06.
"Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, which opinion shall comply with the
provisions of Section 13.06.
The term "outstanding" when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to
the provisions of Section 7.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under
this Indenture, except
(a) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, for the payment or prepayment of which
moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the
Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have
been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall
act as its own paying agent); and
(c) Notes in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall
have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.08
unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that
any such Notes are held by bona fide holders in due course.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint
venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.
"Predecessor Note" of any particular Note shall mean every previous Note
evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or
stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or
stolen Note.
The term "principal office of the Trustee", or other similar term, shall
mean the principal office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its
corporate trust business shall be administered and which office is, at the time
of execution of this Indenture, located at One First National Plaza, Suite 0126,
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126, Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division,
except for purposes of Sections 3.02 and 13.04 such term shall mean the office
or agency of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York,
3
<PAGE> 8
which office at the date hereof is located at First Chicago Trust Company of New
York, 14 Wall Street, Eighth Floor, New York, New York 10005.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement dated March 24, 1998
among the Company and the Initial Purchaser as defined therein.
"Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of March 27, 1998, by and among the Company and the Initial
Purchaser, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
to time.
"Regular Record Date" with respect to the payment of interest installments
on the Notes, shall mean the fifteenth day preceding the relevant Interest
Payment Date. If a Regular Record Date is not a Business Day, such Regular
Record Date shall be deemed to be the next preceding Business Day.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean
any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to
administer this Indenture.
"Restricted Note" shall mean Notes that bear or are required to bear the
legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
"Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or under any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Security Register" shall mean the list of holders kept by a Notes
registrar or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01.
"Stated Maturity" shall mean April 1, 2003.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company which at the
time of determination has, (A) assets which constituted at least 10% of the
Company's total assets on a consolidated basis as of such date, or (B) revenue
which constituted at least 10% of the Company's total revenues on a consolidated
basis for such period or (C) net earnings which constituted at least 10% of the
Company's total net earnings on a consolidated basis for such period, all as
determined as of the date of the Company's most recently prepared quarterly
financial statements or the 12-month period then ended.
"Subsidiary" shall mean with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at
least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such
Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint
venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership
or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or
more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries
and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, "voting
stock" means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the
equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power
for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such
Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having
such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.
"Trustee" shall mean the Person identified as "Trustee" in the first
paragraph hereof, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall
also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder. The term "Trustee"
as used with respect to a particular series of the Notes shall mean the trustee
with respect to that series.
"Trust Indenture Act of 1939" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as
in force at the date of execution of this Indenture, except as provided in
Section 9.03; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" means, to the
extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so
amended.
"U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person
4
<PAGE> 9
controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the
United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of
America, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or
prepayable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a
depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect
to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or
principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided, that (except as
required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the
amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received
by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific
payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced
by such depository receipt.
ARTICLE II
NOTES
SECTION 2.01. FORMS GENERALLY.
The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are
incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations,
legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to
which the Company is subject or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The Notes shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof.
SECTION 2.02. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
At least one Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds
that office at the time the Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless
be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of
the Trustee. The signature of the Trustee shall be conclusive evidence that the
Note has been authenticated under this Indenture. The form of Trustee's
certificate of authentication to be borne by the Notes shall be substantially as
set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
The Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order and such other documents
as may be required by Section 13.06, authenticate for original issue up to, and
the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed,
seventy-five million U.S. dollars ($75,000,000) aggregate principal amount of
the Notes; except as provided in Sections 2.07, 2.08 and 2.10 hereof. The
Company Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date
on which such Notes are to be authenticated. The series of Notes to be initially
issued hereunder shall be the Initial Notes.
SECTION 2.03. FORM AND PAYMENT.
Except as provided in Section 2.05, the Notes shall be issued in fully
registered certificated form without interest coupons. Principal of, and
interest on the Notes issued in certificated form will be payable, the transfer
of such Notes will be registrable and such Notes will be exchangeable for Notes
bearing identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Company
maintained for such purpose under Section 3.02; provided, however, that payment
of interest with respect to Notes represented by the Global Note (including
principal, interest and Additional Interest, if any) be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the Depositary, which shall credit the relevant
accounts at the Depositary. With respect to Definitive Notes, the Company will
make all payments of principal, interest and Additional Interest, if any, by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
Noteholders thereof, or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to
each such Noteholder's registered address.
5
<PAGE> 10
SECTION 2.04. LEGENDS.
(a) Except as permitted by subsection (b) of this Section 2.04 or as
otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law, each Note
shall bear the applicable legends relating to restrictions on transfer pursuant
to the securities laws in substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
(b) The Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the
Trustee shall authenticate Exchange Notes in exchange for Initial Notes accepted
for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which Exchange Notes shall not bear the
legends required by subsection (a) above, in each case unless the Trustee is
notified in writing that the holder of such Initial Notes is either (A) a
broker-dealer who purchased such Initial Notes directly from the Company for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act, (B) a Person participating in the distribution of the Initial
Notes or (C) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act) of the Company or unless the Registration Rights Agreement shall
require otherwise.
SECTION 2.05. GLOBAL NOTE.
(a) The Global Notes shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding
Notes from time to time endorsed thereon; provided, that the aggregate amount of
outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or
increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and prepayments. Any endorsement
of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount
of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee, in
accordance with applicable procedures established by the Depositary.
(b) The Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to
another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary selected or
approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(c) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling
or unable to continue as Depositary or the Depositary has ceased to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary is
not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such
notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company will
execute, and the Trustee, upon written notice from the Company, will
authenticate and make available for delivery Definitive Notes, in authorized
denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount
of the Global Note in exchange for such Global Note. If there is an Event of
Default, the Depositary shall have the right to exchange the Global Notes for
Definitive Notes. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the
Notes shall no longer be represented by a Global Note. In the event of such an
Event of Default or such a determination, the Company shall execute, and subject
to Section 2.07, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate
evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and make
available for delivery Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations and in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Note in
exchange for such Global Note. Upon the exchange of the Global Note for such
Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations, the Global Note shall be
cancelled by the Trustee. Such Definitive Notes issued in exchange for the
Global Note shall be registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or
indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee
shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Depositary for delivery to the
Persons in whose names such Definitive Notes are so registered.
SECTION 2.06. INTEREST.
(a) Each Note will bear interest at the rate of 6.70% per annum (the
"Coupon Rate") from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if
no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance, until the principal
thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and, and (to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded semi-annually,
payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year (each, an
"Interest Payment Date") commencing on October 1, 1998, to the Person in whose
name such
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Note or any predecessor Note is registered on the books of the Company, at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest installment.
(b) Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than six months, the actual months
elapsed and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period. In the
event that any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day,
then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made
on such date.
SECTION 2.07. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
(a) Transfer Restrictions. The Initial Notes, and those Exchange Notes
with respect to which any Person described in Section 2.04(b)(A), (B) or (C) is
the beneficial owner, may not be transferred except in compliance with any
legend contained in Exhibit A unless otherwise determined by the Company in
accordance with applicable law. Attached as Exhibit B is the form of the
transferee letter to be provided to the Trustee prior to a transfer by a Holder
of such Notes who offers, sells or otherwise transfers the Notes within two
years after the original issuance of the Notes inside the United States to an
institutional accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
of Regulation D under the Securities Act), which letter contains certain
representations and agreements relating to restrictions in transfer of the Notes
and that such transferee will purchase not less than $100,000 total principal
amount of Notes. Such form of transferee letter will not be required to be
provided following registration of the Notes under the Securities Act pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement.
(b) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges. To permit
registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute Definitive
Notes and Global Notes at the Trustee's request. All Definitive Notes and Global
Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes
or Global Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the
same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the
Definitive Notes or Global Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer
or exchange.
No service charge shall be made to a holder for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note,
the Trustee, any agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose
name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose
of receiving payment of principal of and, and interest on such Notes, and
neither the Trustee, any agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to
the contrary.
(c) Exchange of Initial Notes for Exchange Notes. The Initial Notes may be
exchanged for Exchange Notes pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer. The
Trustee shall make the exchange as follows:
The Company shall present the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
certifying the following:
(i) upon issuance of the Exchange Notes, the transactions contemplated
by the Exchange Offer have been consummated; and
(ii) the principal amount of Initial Notes properly tendered in the
Exchange Offer that are represented by a Global Note and the principal
amount of Initial Notes properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are
represented by Definitive Notes, the name of each holder of such Definitive
Notes, the principal amount at maturity properly tendered in the Exchange
Offer by each such holder and the name and address to which Definitive
Notes for Exchange Notes shall be registered and sent for each such holder.
The Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers' Certificate, (ii) an
Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Exchange Notes have been
registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Indenture, and (y) with
respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(p) of the Registration Rights
Agreement and (iii) a
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Company Order, shall authenticate (A) a Global Note for Exchange Notes in
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial
Notes represented by a Global Note indicated in such Officers' Certificate as
having been properly tendered and (B) Definitive Notes representing Exchange
Notes registered in the names of, and in the principal amounts indicated in,
such Officers' Certificate.
If the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Global Note for the
Exchange Notes is less than the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the
Global Note for the Initial Notes, the Trustee shall make an endorsement on such
Global Note for the Initial Notes indicating a reduction in the principal amount
at maturity represented thereby.
The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes for Exchange Notes to the
holders thereof as indicated in such Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.08. REPLACEMENT NOTES.
(a) If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, or
the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or
theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Note if the Trustee's requirements for replacements of Notes are
met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Noteholder that is sufficient in
the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee
or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note
is replaced. The Company or the Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing
a Note.
(b) Every replacement Note is an obligation of the Company and shall be
entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
(c) The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude
(to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the
replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.
SECTION 2.09. TREASURY NOTES.
In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of
Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be considered as though not
outstanding, except that for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall
be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes
that the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so considered.
SECTION 2.10. TEMPORARY NOTES.
Pending the preparation of Definitive Notes, the Company may execute, and
upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery, temporary Notes that are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Notes in lieu of which they are
issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as the officers executing such Notes may determine, as conclusively
evidenced by their execution of such Notes.
If temporary Notes are issued, the Company shall cause Definitive Notes to
be prepared without unreasonable delay. The Definitive Notes shall be printed,
typewritten, lithographed or engraved, or provided by any combination thereof,
or in any other manner permitted by the rules and regulations of any applicable
securities exchange, all as determined by the Officers executing such Definitive
Notes. After the preparation of Definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be
exchangeable for Definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the
office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose pursuant to Section
3.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one
or more temporary Notes, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange therefor the same
aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Notes.
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SECTION 2.11. CANCELLATION.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.
The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration
of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy
the cancelled Notes in accordance with its normal practices (subject to the
record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) unless the Company directs
that such cancelled Notes be returned to it. The Company may not issue new Notes
to replace Notes that have been prepaid or paid or that have been delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.12. DEFAULTED INTEREST.
Any interest on any Note that is payable, but is not punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted
Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the relevant
Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted
Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause
(a) or clause (b) below:
(a) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Notes to
the Persons in whose names such Notes (or their respective Predecessor
Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the
following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Note and the
date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount
proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date
of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for
the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 30 nor
less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less
than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed
payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special
record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause
notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special
record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each
Noteholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register,
not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date
therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be
paid to the Persons in whose names such Notes (or their respective
Predecessor Notes) are registered on such special record date and shall be
no longer payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any
Notes in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which such Notes may be listed, and upon such
notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the
Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause,
such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP NUMBERS.
The Company in issuing the Notes may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally
in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices as a
convenience to Noteholders; provided, that any such notice may state that no
representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
on the Notes or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only
on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such
prepayment shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
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ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 3.01. PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, AND INTEREST AND ADDITIONAL INTEREST.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Noteholders that it
will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest
and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes at the place, at the respective
times and in the manner provided herein. Except as provided in Section 2.03,
each installment of interest on the Notes may be paid by mailing checks for such
interest payable to the order of the Noteholder entitled thereto, as it may
appear in the Notes register. The Company further covenants to pay any and all
amounts including, without limitation, Additional Interest, if any, on the dates
and in the manner required under the Registration Rights Agreement.
SECTION 3.02. OFFICES FOR NOTICES AND PAYMENTS, ETC.
So long as any of the Notes remains outstanding, the Company will maintain
in The City of New York, New York, an office or agency where the Notes may be
presented for payment, an office or agency where the Notes may be presented for
registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an
office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of
the Notes or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the
Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any
change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from time to time by the
Company in a notice to the Trustee, any such office or agency for all of the
above purposes shall be the office or agency of The First National Bank of
Chicago in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, which office at the
date hereof is located at First Chicago Trust Company of New York, 14 Wall
Street, Eighth Floor, New York, New York 10005. In case the Company shall fail
to maintain any such office or agency in The City of New York, New York, or
shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location
thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the
principal corporate trust office of the Trustee.
In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time
designate one or more offices or agencies outside The City of New York, New York
where the Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange
in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time
rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient;
provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner
relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in
the City of New York, New York, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company
will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or
rescission thereof.
SECTION 3.03. APPOINTMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES IN TRUSTEE'S OFFICE.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of
Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so
that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 3.04. PROVISION AS TO PAYING AGENT.
(a) If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with
respect to the Notes, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to
the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee,
subject to the provision of this Section 3.04,
(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the
payment of the principal of, or interest on the Notes (whether such sums
have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Notes)
in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes;
(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the
Company (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the
principal of or interest on the Notes when the same shall be due and
payable; and
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(iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of
Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the
Trustee all sums so held in trust by it as such paying agent.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before
each due date of the principal of, or interest on the Notes, set aside,
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a sum
sufficient to pay such principal, or interest so becoming due and will notify
the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company
(or by any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal
of, or interest on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.
(c) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and
discharge with respect to the Notes hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or
cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such Notes by the
Trustee or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.04, such
sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
(d) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.04 is subject to
Sections 11.03 and 11.04.
SECTION 3.05. CERTIFICATE TO TRUSTEE.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end
of each fiscal year in each year, commencing with the first fiscal year ending
after the date hereof, so long as Notes are outstanding hereunder, an Officers'
Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal executive,
principal financial or principal accounting officer of the Company, stating that
in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of
the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default by the Company in
the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they
have knowledge of any such Default and, if so, specifying each such Default of
which the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.
SECTION 3.06. COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.
The Company will not, while any of the Notes remains outstanding,
consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or
substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of
Article X hereof are complied with.
SECTION 3.07. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
Subject to Article X, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence
and the corporate or other existence of its Significant Subsidiaries in
accordance with the respective organizational documents of each such Subsidiary
and the rights (charter and statutory) and corporate franchises of the Company
and each such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to preserve, with respect to itself, any right or corporate franchise,
and with respect to such Significant Subsidiaries any such existence, right or
corporate franchise, if the Board of Directors, or the board of directors of the
Significant Subsidiary concerned, shall determine that the preservation thereof
is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material
respect to the Holders.
SECTION 3.08. LIMITATION ON LIENS.
Except as set forth below, neither the Company nor any Significant
Subsidiary will incur, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed
money (all such indebtedness for borrowed money incurred, issued, permitted to
exist, assumed or guaranteed being hereinafter in this Section called
"Indebtedness") secured by a lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge
or encumbrance of any kind ("Lien") on any property or assets of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary, or any shares of Capital Stock of any Significant
Subsidiary, without effectively providing that the Notes (together with, if the
Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness which is not subordinated to
the Notes) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or
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prior to) such Indebtedness, so long as such Indebtedness shall be so secured,
unless after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such secured
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries would not exceed 10% of
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of the Company and its Subsidiaries as reflected
on the Company's most recently prepared quarterly balance sheet; provided,
however, that this covenant shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from
secured Indebtedness in any computation under this covenant, Indebtedness
secured by:
(a) Liens existing on the date hereof;
(b) Liens on property of, or on any shares of Capital Stock of, any
Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Significant Subsidiary or
merges into or consolidates with the Company or a Significant Subsidiary;
(c) Liens on property of, or on any shares of Capital Stock of, any
Person existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary;
(d) Liens to secure the financing of the acquisition, construction or
improvement of property, or the acquisition of shares of stock, hereafter
acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Subsidiary,
provided that such Liens are created prior to, at the time of or within one
year after such acquisition or, in the case of property, completion of
construction or commencement of commercial operation, whichever is later;
(e) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(f) Liens required by or in favor of domestic governments or agencies
thereof including those to secure progress, advance or other payments
pursuant to any contract or provisions of any statute; and
(g) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions,
renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Lien referred to
in the foregoing clauses (a) to (f), inclusive, provided, however, that (i)
such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or a
part of the same property or shares of stock that secured the Lien
extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements, including additions to
improvements, on such property) and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such
Lien at such time is not increased (except, with respect to a Lien on
property, to the extent that additional Indebtedness was incurred to
provide for the payment of all or any part of the construction price of
improvements or additions to improvements on such property).
SECTION 3.09. LIMITATION ON DISPOSITION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF SIGNIFICANT
SUBSIDIARIES.
Except as provided in Section 3.08, the Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary (or of any Subsidiary having direct
or indirect control of any Significant Subsidiary) except for, subject to
Article X, (i) a sale, transfer or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any
Significant Subsidiary (or of any Subsidiary having direct or indirect control
of any Significant Subsidiary) to the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary of
the Company or (ii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or any part of
the Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary (or of any Subsidiary having
direct or indirect control of any Significant Subsidiary) held by the Company
and/or its Subsidiaries for at least fair value (as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company acting in good faith).
SECTION 3.10. PAYMENT UPON RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL.
Upon termination of this Indenture or the removal or resignation of the
Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Company shall pay to the Trustee all
amounts accrued and owing to the date of such termination, removal or
resignation.
SECTION 3.11. TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS.
The Company and each Significant Subsidiary shall file all federal, state
and local tax returns required to be filed by it and shall pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become
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delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges which are
material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis (including
withholding taxes and any penalties, interest and additions to taxes) levied or
imposed upon the Company or its Subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or
property of the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary, and (ii) all lawful
claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other
like persons which are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a
consolidated basis and, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property
of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such
tax, assessment or governmental change or claim whose amount, applicability or
validity is being contested in good faith and for which disputed amounts
adequate reserves have been made in the opinion of the Company's management or
as required by generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTICLE IV
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS.
The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be
furnished to the Trustee:
(a) on a semi-annual basis on each Regular Record Date for the Notes,
a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names
and addresses of the Noteholders as of such record date;
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within
30 Business 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 Business
Days prior to the time such list is furnished, except that no such list
need be furnished so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason
of its acting as Note registrar. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as
Notes registrar.
SECTION 4.02. PRESERVATION AND DISCLOSURE OF LISTS.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of the
Notes (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in
Section 4.01 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Notes registrar (if so
acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided
in Section 4.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) In case three or more holders of Notes (hereinafter referred to as
"applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee
reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Note for a period of at
least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application
states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Notes or
with holders of all Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture and
is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such
applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days
after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the
time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of
this Section 4.02; or
(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of
all Notes whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at
the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a)
of this Section 4.02, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such
Noteholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in
such application.
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such
information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants,
mail to each Noteholder whose name and address appear in the information
preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 4.02 a copy of the form of proxy or other
communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness
after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or
provision
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for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within 5 Business
Days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with
the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written
statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would
be contrary to the best interests of the holders of all Notes or would be in
violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of
such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the
objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order
refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order
sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after
notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have
been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of
such material to all such Noteholders with reasonable promptness after the entry
of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be
relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their
application.
(c) Each and every holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee
nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of
any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Notes in
accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.02,
regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the
Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant
to a request made under said subsection (b).
SECTION 4.03. REPORTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within 15
Business Days after the date on which the Company files the same with the
Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and
other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the
Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file
information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to
file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the
supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be
required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a Note listed
and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time
to time in such rules and regulations.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to
time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with
respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided
for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and
regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to all holders of
Notes, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Security
Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such
summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the
Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4.03 as may be
required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
Commission.
(d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is
for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not
constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
(e) So long as is required for an offer or sale of the Notes to qualify for
an exemption under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Company shall, upon
request, provide the information required by clause (d)(4) thereunder to each
Holder and to each beneficial owner and prospective purchaser of Notes
identified by any holder of Restricted Notes, unless such information is
furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
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SECTION 4.04. REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 1999, the
Trustee shall provide to the holders of the Notes such reports as are required
by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, if any, in the form and in
the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The
Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
One or more of the following events of default shall constitute an Event of
Default hereunder (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest or Additional Interest upon
any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default
for a period of 30 days; or
(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any
Note as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity,
upon prepayment, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise;
or
(c) the Company fails to comply with any of its other agreements in
the Notes or this Indenture and the default continues for 60 days after
notice to the Company by the Trustee as specified below;
(d) there shall be a default under any evidence or Indebtedness of the
Company or any Subsidiary, whether any such Indebtedness now exists or
shall hereafter be created, if (A) either (i) such default results from the
failure to pay any such Indebtedness at maturity or (ii) as a result of
such default the maturity of such Indebtedness has been accelerated prior
to its expressed maturity and (B) the aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness equals $10,000,000 or more or, together with the principal
amount of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary in
default for failure to pay principal at maturity or the maturity of which
has been accelerated aggregates $10,000,000 or more and (C) without such
Indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been
rescinded or annulled within a period of 30 days after notice to the
Company by the Trustee as specified below; provided, however, that if the
Company shall have commenced and shall pursue the contest of the validity
of such acceleration in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings, then,
from the date of such commencement to the conclusion of such proceedings,
the Event of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall be deemed likewise
to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived without further action
upon the part of either the Trustee or any of the Holders of the Notes;
provided, further, however, that if such acceleration shall subsequently be
rescinded or annulled any acceleration of the Notes consequent solely on
such other acceleration shall likewise be deemed rescinded or annulled
without further action on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the
Notes;
(e) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within
the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (A) becomes insolvent, (B) fails
generally to pay its debts as they become due, (C) admits in writing its
inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, (D) commences a
voluntary case or proceeding, (E) consents to, or acquiesces in, the
institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it or the
entry of a judgment, decree or order for relief against it in an
involuntary case or proceeding, (F) applies for, consents to or acquiesces
in the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary or of all or substantially all of its property
or (G) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
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(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters a judgment, decree or
order under any Bankruptcy Law which (A) is for relief against the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case, (B) appoints a
Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a Custodian for
all or substantially all of its property or (C) orders the winding-up or
liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; and such
judgment, decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period
of 60 consecutive days.
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or
State law for the relief, supervision, conservation, reorganization or
liquidation of debtors or for the benefit of creditors. The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any
Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clause (c) or (d) is not an Event of Default until the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes notify
the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure the Default within the
period specified in the applicable clause after receipt of the notice. The
notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the
notice is a "Notice of Default." Such notice shall be given by the Trustee if
requested by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding.
SECTION 5.02. PAYMENT OF NOTES ON DEFAULT; SUIT THEREFOR.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
5.01(e) or (f)) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company,
or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the unpaid principal of and accrued
interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such declaration the
principal and accrued interest of such Notes shall be due and payable
immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or (f) occurs,
all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall
automatically become due and payable without any declaration or other act on the
part of the Trustee or any Noteholder. Upon payment of such principal amount and
interest all of the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture,
other than obligations under Section 6.06, shall terminate. The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind
an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with
any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or
waived except non-payment of principal or interest that has become due solely
because of the acceleration.
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall
be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in
equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any
such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such
judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes
and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or
any other obligor on the Notes wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed
to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the
reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11,
United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver or
trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other
obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to
the Company or other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of
the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the
principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made
any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.02, shall be entitled
and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and
prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and
unpaid in respect of the Notes and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file
such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for
reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their
respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses
and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each
predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or bad faith) and of the
Noteholders allowed in such
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judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes,
or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless
prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders
of the Notes in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement,
reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or
person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and to collect
and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such
claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and
expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization
is hereby authorized by each of the Noteholders to make such payments to the
Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to the Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as
shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each
predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all
other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee
and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Noteholder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or
the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect
of the claim of any Noteholder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under
any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any
of the Notes, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceeding
relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee
shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any
recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the
Notes.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings
involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the
Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders
of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Notes
parties to any such proceedings.
SECTION 5.03. LIMITATION ON SUITS.
A Noteholder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the
Notes only if:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing
Event of Default;
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes make
a request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offers to the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(5) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with
the request.
A Noteholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another
Noteholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Noteholder.
SECTION 5.04. APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED BY TRUSTEE.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee shall be applied in the order
following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of
such moneys, upon presentation of the Notes in respect of which moneys have been
collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon
surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.06,
including the costs and expenses of collection applicable to the Notes and
reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents,
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attorneys and counsel, and of all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and
all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad
faith;
Second: To Noteholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for
principal and interest, ratably without preference or priority of any kind,
according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, interest
and Additional Interest, if any, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
SECTION 5.05. PROCEEDINGS BY NOTEHOLDERS.
No holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of
any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in
equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an
Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Notes
specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such
action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have
offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of
indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding,
and during such 60 days the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding do not give a direction to the Trustee
inconsistent with the request, it being understood and intended, and being
expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Note with every other
taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Notes shall
have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any
provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any
other holder of Notes, 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 Notes.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right
of any holder of any Note to receive payment of the principal of interest, and
Additional Interest on such Note, on or after the same shall have become due and
payable, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not
be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a
Note hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker
and holder of every Note with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee,
that no one or more holders of Notes 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 Notes, 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 Notes.
For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and
every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be
given either at law or in equity.
SECTION 5.06. PROCEEDINGS BY TRUSTEE.
In case an Event of Default occurs with respect to Notes and is continuing,
the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights
vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the
Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights,
either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or
otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in
this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the
Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
SECTION 5.07. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE AND CONTINUING.
Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.08, all powers and
remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Noteholders 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 Notes, by
judicial
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proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the
covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established
with respect to the Notes, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any
holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any
Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such
right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an
acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.04, every
power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the
Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed
expedient, by the Trustee or by the Noteholders.
SECTION 5.08. DIRECTION OF PROCEEDINGS AND WAIVER OF DEFAULTS BY MAJORITY OF
NOTEHOLDERS.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that (subject to
the provisions of Section 6.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to
follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so
directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such
direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action
or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good
faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee, or a trust
committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers, shall determine
that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal
liability. Prior to any declaration accelerating the Stated Maturity of the
Notes, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any past
Default or Event of Default and its consequences except a Default (a) in the
payment of principal of or interest on any of the Notes or (b) in respect of
covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each Note affected. 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 Notes shall be restored to
their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent
thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been
waived as permitted by this Section 5.07, said Default or Event of Default shall
for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured
and to be not continuing.
SECTION 5.09. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.
The Trustee shall, within 60 days after the occurrence of a Default with
respect to the Notes mail to all Noteholders, as the names and addresses of such
holders appear upon the Note register, notice of all Defaults known to the
Trustee, unless such Defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such
notice (the term "Defaults" for the purpose of this Section 5.08 being hereby
defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of
Section 5.01, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein, and
irrespective of the giving of written notice specified in Section 5.03); and
provided, that, except in the case of Default in the payment of the principal of
or interest on any of the Notes, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if and so long as the board of directors of the Trustee, the
executive committee thereof, or a trust committee of directors and/or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Noteholders.
SECTION 5.10. UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Note by his
acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its
discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the
merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but
the provisions of this Section 5.10 shall not apply to any suit instituted by
the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder or group of Noteholders
holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes
outstanding at the time outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any
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Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on
any Note against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and
payable.
SECTION 5.11. WAIVER OF STAY OR EXTENSION LAWS.
The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time
insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time
hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this
Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby
expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder,
delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but
shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law
had been enacted.
SECTION 5.12. DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or any Noteholder to exercise any right
or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or
remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence
therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee
or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be
deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Noteholders, as the case may be.
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.
With respect to the holders of the Notes issued hereunder, the Trustee,
prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving
of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such
duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In
case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the
Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee
from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or
its own willful misconduct, except that
(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or
waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined
solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall
not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as
are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the
Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which
by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine
whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good
faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be
proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the
Noteholders pursuant to Section 5.07, relating to the time,
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method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this
Indenture.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the
repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not
reasonably assured to it.
Every portion of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the
liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of this Article VI and to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939.
SECTION 6.02. RELIANCE ON DOCUMENTS, OPINIONS, ETC.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note,
debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties, and the
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate (unless
other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) and
the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered or omitted
by it hereunder in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate;
and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any
advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it
hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of
Counsel;
(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Noteholders, pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Noteholders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by
it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing
contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation,
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (that has not been cured or
waived), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise,
as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the
conduct of his own affairs;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval,
bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in
writing to do so by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding; 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 Note afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may
require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a
condition to so proceeding; and
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents
(including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall
not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such
agent or attorney appointed by it with due care.
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(h) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or
Event of Default except (i) a Default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of
this Indenture (other than with respect to the payment of Additional
Interest) or (ii) any Default or Event of Default of which a Responsible
Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or the Trustee shall have
received notice thereof in accordance with Section 13.03 from the Company
or any Noteholder.
SECTION 6.03. NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECITALS, ETC.
The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the certificate
of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as
the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent
assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the
Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency
of this Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent
shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes
or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION 6.04. TRUSTEE, AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENTS, TRANSFER AGENTS OR
REGISTRAR MAY OWN NOTES.
The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer
agent or any Note registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become
the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Note registrar.
SECTION 6.05. MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys received by the
Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be
held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money
received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all
interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the
written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
the President or a Vice President or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of
the Company.
SECTION 6.06. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF TRUSTEE.
The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time,
and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in
writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for
all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including
the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel
and of all persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The
Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to
the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company also covenants to
indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers,
agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and
all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including reasonable attorney's
fees and taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred
without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the
premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.06 to compensate
and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.
Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee in its
capacity as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of
particular Notes.
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Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under
applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or Section
5.01(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its
counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee as provided for
herein are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any
applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive resignation or removal of the
Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.
SECTION 6.07. OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE AS EVIDENCE.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01 and 6.02, whenever in the
administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it
necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or
omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect
thereof is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or
bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such
certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the
Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
SECTION 6.08. CONFLICTING INTEREST OF TRUSTEE.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the
meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee and
the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b)
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
SECTION 6.09. ELIGIBILITY OF TRUSTEE.
The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or
territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other
Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000) and subject to supervision or
examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.
If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.09 the combined capital and
surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.
In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Trustee shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.
SECTION 6.10. RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE.
(a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any
time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by
mailing notice thereof to the holders of the Notes at their addresses as they
shall appear on the Note register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation,
the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written
instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the
resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee
shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after
the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Noteholders, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor trustee, or any Noteholder who has been a bona fide
holder of a Note for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of
Section 5.09, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition
any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe,
appoint a successor trustee.
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(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section
6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Noteholder who
has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months, or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company or by any such Noteholder, or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a
successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the
successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, any Noteholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor
trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee,
which shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within 10 days after
such nomination the Company objects thereto or if no successor trustee shall
have been so appointed and shall have accepted appointment within 30 days after
such removal, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Noteholder, upon the
terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.10
provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of
a successor trustee.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 6.11.
SECTION 6.11. ACCEPTANCE BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE.
Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation
or removal of the retiring trustee shall become effective and such successor
trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder,
with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on
the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee
ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the
provisions of Section 6.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to
such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to
act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all
property and money held by such retiring trustee thereunder. Upon request of any
such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in
writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor
trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall,
nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such
trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.06.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section
6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be
qualified under the provisions of Section 6.08 and eligible under the provisions
of Section 6.09.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this
Section 6.11, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such trustee
hereunder to the holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the
Note register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within 10 Business Days
after the
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acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall
cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 6.12. SUCCESSION BY MERGER, ETC.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without
the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of
the parties hereto.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the
trusts created by this Indenture any Notes shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been
authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either
in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor
trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which
the es or this Indenture elsewhere provides that the certificate of the Trustee
shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Notes in the name of
any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by
merger, conversion or consolidation.
SECTION 6.13. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AS A CREDITOR.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be
subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to the extent
included therein.
SECTION 6.14. AUTHENTICATING AGENTS.
There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee
upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to
its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes issued upon exchange
or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as
though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to
authenticate and deliver Notes; provided, that the Trustee shall have no
liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent
with respect to the authentication and delivery of Notes. Any such
Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory
thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as
Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of
such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.14 the combined capital
and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with
the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and
with the effect herein specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business
of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent
hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this
Section 6.14 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on
the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of
resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of
termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such
a
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notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.14, the
Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a
successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.14, shall give
written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such
appointment to all Noteholders as the names and addresses of such holders appear
on the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of
its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties
and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if
originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.
The Company, as borrower, agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from
time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent
shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in
accordance with the directions of the Trustee.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE NOTEHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. ACTION BY NOTEHOLDERS.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified
percentage in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may take any
action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice,
consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time
of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined
therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of
similar tenor executed by such Noteholders in person or by agent or proxy
appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Notes voting in
favor thereof at any meeting of such Noteholders duly called and held in
accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such
instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such
Noteholders.
If the Company shall solicit from the Noteholders 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 Noteholders 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 Noteholders of
record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be
Noteholders for the purposes of determining whether Noteholders of the requisite
proportion of outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, and for that purpose the outstanding Notes shall be computed as of the
record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent
by such Noteholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six
months after the record date.
SECTION 7.02. PROOF OF EXECUTION BY NOTEHOLDERS.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, 6.02 and 8.05, proof of the
execution of any instrument by a Noteholder or his agent or proxy shall be
sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as
may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to
the Trustee. The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Security Register or
by a certificate of the Note registrar. The Trustee may require such additional
proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
The record of any Noteholders' meeting shall be proved in the manner
provided in Section 8.06.
SECTION 7.03. WHO ARE DEEMED ABSOLUTE OWNERS.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Note, the
Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer
agent and any Note registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Note shall
be registered upon the Security Register to be, and may treat him as, the
absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue) for the
purpose of receiving payment of or on
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account of the principal of, and, subject to Section 2.06, interest on such Note
and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Note
registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so
made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to
the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the
liability for moneys payable upon any such Note.
SECTION 7.04. NOTES OWNED BY COMPANY DEEMED NOT OUTSTANDING.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of
Notes at the time outstanding have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver
under this Indenture, Notes which are owned by the Company or any other obligor
on the Notes or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled
by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other
obligor on the Notes shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for
the purpose of any such determination; provided, that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, consent or waiver, only Notes which the Trustee actually knows are so
owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good
faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.04 if
the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's
right to vote such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such
other obligor or person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other
obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee
taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.
SECTION 7.05. REVOCATION OF CONSENTS; FUTURE HOLDERS BOUND.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as
provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the
percentage in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding specified in
this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Note (or any Note
issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial
number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the holders
of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the
Trustee at the principal office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as
provided in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note (or so
far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted
Note). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Note shall
be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and
owners of such Note, and of any Note issued in exchange or substitution
therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made
upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
ARTICLE VIII
NOTEHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 8.01. PURPOSE OF MEETINGS.
A meeting of Noteholders may be called at any time and from time to time
pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following
purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give
any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default
hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to
be taken by Noteholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;
(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to
the provisions of Article VI;
(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02; or
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(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of
the holders of any specified principal amount of such Notes at the time
outstanding under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable
law.
SECTION 8.02. CALL OF MEETINGS BY TRUSTEE.
The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Noteholders to take any
action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine.
Notice of every meeting of the Noteholders, setting forth the time and the place
of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such
meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Securities Register. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20
nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
SECTION 8.03. CALL OF MEETINGS BY COMPANY OR NOTEHOLDERS.
In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the
holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Noteholders,
by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be
taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such
meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such
Noteholders may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any
action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in
Section 8.02.
SECTION 8.04. QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders a Person shall (a) be
a holder of one or more Notes or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in
writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Notes. The only Persons who shall be
entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Noteholders shall be the
Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any
representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the
Company and its counsel.
SECTION 8.05. REGULATIONS.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may
make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of
Noteholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment
of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes,
the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of
the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting
as it shall think fit.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Noteholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case the Company
or the Noteholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner
appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of
the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting each holder
of Notes or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no
vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged
as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Notes held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Noteholders. Any
meeting of Noteholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02 or
8.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether
or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned
without further notice.
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(d) The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of holders of Notes;
provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with
respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction
or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified
percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Persons holding or
representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of
the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the
request of holders of Notes, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be
adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of
the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum
at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned
for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the
meeting prior the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the
reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.02,
except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior
the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the
reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as
provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes which shall
constitute a quorum.
(e) Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of
Notes duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the
holders of Notes whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
SECTION 8.06. VOTING.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Notes
shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such
holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of
the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting
shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the
meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the
secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all
votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each
meeting of Noteholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and
there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of
votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons
having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting
and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.02. The record
shall show the serial numbers of the Notes voting in favor of or against any
resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the
permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall
be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the
Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
The holders of the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes shall vote for all
purposes as a single class.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. WITHOUT CONSENT OF NOTEHOLDERS.
The Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend
this Indenture, without the consent of the Noteholders, for one or more of the
following purposes:
(a) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company,
or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation
of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to
Article X hereof;
(b) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants,
restrictions or conditions for the protection of the Noteholders as the
Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection
of the Noteholders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and
continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions
or conditions a Default or an Event of Default
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permitting the enforcement of all or any of the remedies provided in this
Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any
such additional covenant, restriction or condition, such amendment may
provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be
shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may
provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the
remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default;
(c) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Notes in
coupon form if allowed by law (including Notes registrable as to principal
only) and to provide for exchangeability of such Notes with the Notes
issued hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate
changes for such purpose;
(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any
supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to
matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided, that any such
action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders
of the Notes;
(e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Notes;
(f) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939; or
(g) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of
any Noteholder in any material respect.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution
of any supplemental indenture to effect such amendment, to make any further
appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to
accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but
the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any
such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any amendment to this Indenture authorized by the provisions of this
Section 9.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent
of the holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any
of the provisions of Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.02. WITH CONSENT OF NOTEHOLDERS.
(a) With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of the holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, the
Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to
time and at any time amend this Indenture for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Notes; provided, however, that no such amendment shall without the consent of
the holders of each Note then outstanding and affected hereby (i) extend the
Stated Maturity of any Note, or reduce the rate, or reduce the principal amount
thereof, or make the principal thereof or any interest or Additional Interest
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Notes,
or impair or affect the right of any Noteholder to institute suit for payment
thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes the holders of which
are required to consent to any such amendment to this Indenture or (iii) reduce
the percentage of aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes necessary for
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this indenture or for waiver of
certain defaults.
(b) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution
authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture affecting such
amendment, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of
Noteholders 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.
(c) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee
shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a
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notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of
such supplemental indenture, to the Noteholders as their names and addresses
appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such
notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect
the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
(d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this
Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the
substance thereof.
SECTION 9.03. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939; EFFECT OF
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.
Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this
Article IX shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Upon the execution
of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX,
this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance
therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders
of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder,
subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms
and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be
part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 9.04. NOTATION ON NOTES.
Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental
indenture affecting such series pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX
may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided
for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so
determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee
and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in
any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company,
authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in
exchange for the Notes then outstanding.
SECTION 9.05. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE FURNISHED
TO TRUSTEE.
(a) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may
receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with
the requirements of this Article IX.
(b) The Trustee may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence
that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized
or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is
proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article to join in the
execution thereof.
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01. COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent
any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person
(whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be), or successive
consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors
shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or
lease of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an
entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not
affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to
acquire and operate the same; provided, that (a) the Company is the surviving
Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, transfer
or lease of property is made is a Person organized and existing under the laws
of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and (b)
upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the
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<PAGE> 36
due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes according
to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the
covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the
Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall
conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as then in effect)
satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the
Person formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been
merged, or by the Person which shall have acquired such property, and (c)
immediately after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or lease, no Default or 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 10.02. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION TO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR COMPANY.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and upon
the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed
and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due
and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Notes and
the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such
successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the
same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and
the Company thereupon shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation
hereunder or upon the Notes. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be
signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of Trenwick Group
Inc., any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not
have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor Person instead of
the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this
Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate
and deliver any Notes which previously shall have been signed and delivered by
the officers of the Company to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for
authentication, and any Notes which such successor Person thereafter shall cause
to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that
purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank
and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued
in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had
been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
SECTION 10.03. OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BE GIVEN TRUSTEE.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, may
receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, and any assumption, permitted or
required by the terms of this Article X, complies with the provisions of this
Article X.
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 11.01. DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.
When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all
Notes theretofore authenticated (other than any Notes which shall have been
destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided
in Section 2.08) and not theretofore cancelled, or (b) all the Notes not
theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have
become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within
one year, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the
Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay on the Stated Maturity all of the
Notes (other than any Notes which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and
which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) not
theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including
principal and interest and any Additional Interest due or to become due to the
Stated Maturity or prepayment date, as the case may be, but excluding, however,
the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal or interest and any
Additional Interest on the Notes (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in
accordance with the provisions
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of Section 11.04, or (2) paid to any State or to the District of Columbia
pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, and if in either case the
Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by
the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for
the provisions of Sections 2.02, 2.07, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02, 3.04, 6.06, 6.10 and
11.04, which shall survive until such Notes shall mature and be paid.
Thereafter, Sections 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 shall survive, and the Trustee, on
demand of the Company accompanied by any Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, to the effect that all conditions to the satisfaction and discharge of
this Indenture have been satisfied, and at the cost and expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging
this Indenture, the Company, however, hereby agreeing to reimburse the Trustee
for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the
Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 11.02. DEPOSITED MONEYS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN
TRUST BY TRUSTEE.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys and U.S. Government
Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.01 or 11.05 shall
be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through
any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to
the holders of the particular Notes for the payment of which such moneys or U.S.
Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and
to become due thereon for principal and interest.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 11.05 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the holders of outstanding Notes.
SECTION 11.03. PAYING AGENT TO REPAY MONEYS HELD.
Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held
by any paying agent of the Notes (other than the Trustee) shall, upon written
demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon
such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such moneys.
SECTION 11.04. RETURN OF UNCLAIMED MONEYS.
Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for
payment of the principal of or interest on Notes and not applied but remaining
unclaimed by the holders of Notes for two years after the date upon which the
principal of or interest on such Notes, as the case may be, shall have become
due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying
agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Notes shall thereafter
look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to
collect and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to
such moneys shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 11.05. DEFEASANCE UPON DEPOSIT OF MONEYS OR U.S. GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATIONS.
The Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from
its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day after the applicable
conditions set forth below have been satisfied with respect to the Notes:
(a) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited
irrevocably with the Trustee or the Defeasance Agent (as defined below) as
trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated
solely to, the benefit of the holders of the Notes (i) money in an amount,
or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest
and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide, not later than one Business Day before the due date of any
payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii),
sufficient, in the opinion (with respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance Agent, if
any, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest on
the outstanding Notes on the dates such installments of principal or
interest are due;
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(b) if the Notes are then listed on any national securities exchange,
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance Agent,
if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the exercise of the option
under this Section 11.05 would not cause such Notes to be delisted from
such exchange;
(c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall
have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; and
(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance
Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the
Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of the exercise of the option under this
Section 11.05 and will be subject to United States federal income tax in
the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such option had not been exercised, and such opinion shall
be accompanied by a private letter ruling to that effect received from the
United States Internal Revenue Service or a revenue ruling pertaining to a
comparable form of transaction to that effect published by the United
States Internal Revenue Service.
"Discharged" means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and to have
satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Notes (and
the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of holders of Notes to receive,
from the trust fund described in clause (1) above, payment of the principal of
and the interest on the Notes when such payments are due; (B) the Company's
obligations with respect to the Notes under Sections 2.07, 2.08, 5.02 and 11.04;
and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder.
"Defeasance Agent" means another financial institution which is eligible to
act as Trustee hereunder and which assumes all of the obligations of the Trustee
necessary to enable the Trustee to act hereunder. In the event such a Defeasance
Agent is appointed pursuant to this Section, the following conditions shall
apply:
(a) The Trustee shall have approval rights over the document
appointing such Defeasance Agent and the document setting forth such
Defeasance Agent's rights and responsibilities; and
(b) The Defeasance Agent shall provide verification to the Trustee
acknowledging receipt of sufficient money and/or U.S. Government
Obligations to meet the applicable conditions set forth in this Section
11.05.
SECTION 11.06. REINSTATEMENT.
If the Trustee or any Defeasance Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 11.05 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of
any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations
under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.05 until such time as the Trustee or
any Defeasance Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with
Section 11.05.
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01. INDENTURE AND NOTES SOLELY CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or interest or Additional
Interest on any Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect
thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of
the Company in this Indenture, or in any Note, or because of the creation of any
indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator,
stockholder, officer, employee or director, as such, past, present or future, of
the Company or of any successor Person to the Company, either directly or
through the Company, any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty or
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otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby
expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the
execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01. SUCCESSORS.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture
contained by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns whether so
expressed or not.
SECTION 13.02. OFFICIAL ACTS BY SUCCESSOR CORPORATION.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or
required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the
Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
like board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be
the lawful sole successor of the Company.
SECTION 13.03. SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.
The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of two-thirds
( 2/3) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any
of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered
shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor Person.
SECTION 13.04. ADDRESS FOR NOTICES, ETC.
Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required
or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Notes on
the Company may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by
registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until
another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee for the purpose) to the
Company, Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, CT 06902, Attention: Jane T.
Wiznitzer, Vice President-Legal Affairs and Secretary. Any notice, direction,
request or demand by any Noteholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to
have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in
writing at the office of the Trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago located
at One First National Plaza, Suite 0126, Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126,
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division or its agent in the Borough of
Manhattan, located at First Chicago Trust Company of New York, 14 Wall Street,
Eighth Floor, New York, New York 10005.
SECTION 13.05. GOVERNING LAW.
This Indenture and each Note shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard
to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
SECTION 13.06. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that in the opinion of the
signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent have been complied with.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to
the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the Person making such
certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief
statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon
which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are
based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such
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<PAGE> 40
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 13.07. BUSINESS DAYS.
In any case where the date of payment of principal of or interest or
Additional Interest on the Notes will not be a Business Day, the payment of such
principal of or interest or Additional Interest on the Notes need not be made on
such date but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same
force and effect as if made on the date of payment and no interest shall accrue
for the period from and after such date.
SECTION 13.08. TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 TO CONTROL.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies
or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required
to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision shall control.
SECTION 13.09. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.
The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and
sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only,
are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict
any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 13.10. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.
SECTION 13.11. SEPARABILITY.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in
the Notes 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 provision of this Indenture or of the Notes, but this Indenture and
the Notes shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein or therein.
SECTION 13.12. ASSIGNMENT.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or
obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary
of the Company, provided, that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company
will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, the
Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties thereto and
their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be
assigned by the parties hereto.
SECTION 13.13. NO SINKING FUND.
The Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
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<PAGE> 41
The First National Bank of Chicago hereby accepts the trusts in this
Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions hereinabove set
forth.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the
day and year first above written.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR.
------------------------------------
Name: James F. Billett, Jr.
Title: Chairman, President and
Chief
Executive Officer
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
as Trustee
By: /s/ MARY R. FONTI
------------------------------------
Name: Mary R. Fonti
Title: Assistant Vice President
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<PAGE> 42
EXHIBIT A
(FORM OF FACE OF NOTE)
[IF THE NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE, INSERT: THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE
MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME
OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR
NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS
NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO
TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO
THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN
LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS (A) THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK LIMITED PURPOSE TRUST COMPANY ("DTC"), TO
THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND
(B) ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER
NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
[FOR INITIAL NOTES ONLY: THE NOTE REPRESENTED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS NOTE
NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO,
REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE
LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE
COMPANY OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY
PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") ONLY (A)
TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS NOTE IS ELIGIBLE FOR
RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON
IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE
144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN
RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT
OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING
OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT
IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSE AND NOT WITH A VIEW
TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF
THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE
COMPANY PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D),
(E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS
AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO
REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE COMPANY A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE
(THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE).
SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.]
A-1
<PAGE> 43
NO. _____ CUSIP NO. _____
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
6.70% SENIOR NOTES DUE APRIL 1, 2003
Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which term
includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for
value received, hereby promises to pay to , or registered
assigns, the principal sum of U.S. dollars ($ ) on April
1, 2003 (the "Stated Maturity") and to pay interest on the outstanding principal
amount hereof from March 27, 1998, or from the most recent interest payment date
(each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each
year, commencing October 1, 1998, at the rate of 6.70% per annum until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue
principal, and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of
interest at the same rate per annum compounded semi-annually. Any reference
herein to "interest" on the Notes shall also refer to Additional Interest, to
the extent such Additional Interest is payable pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement. The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and,
for any period less than 6 months, the actual months elapsed and the actual days
elapsed in a partial month in such period. In the event that any date on which
the principal of or interest on this Note is payable is not a Business Day, then
payment payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), with the same force and effect as if made on such date.
The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to
the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes, 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 March 15 or September 15
preceding the relevant interest payment date. Any such interest installment not
punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the
holders on such Regular Record Date and may be paid to the Person in whose name
this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of
business on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of
such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Notes
not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any
time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as
maybe required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
The principal of and interest on this Note shall be payable at the office
or agency of the Trustee in the City of New York, in the State of New York, or
at such other office or agency as the Company may designate 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; payments in respect of
the Notes represented by the Global Note shall be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the Depositary, which shall credit the relevant
accounts at the Depositary. With respect to Definitive Notes, the Company will
make all payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified, by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified,
by mailing a check to such Holder's registered address.
This Note is not subject to redemption prior to its Stated Maturity.
By its acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to be bound by the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement.
This Note 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 Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and
such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set
forth at this place.
A-2
<PAGE> 44
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to he executed.
Dated:
- -------------------------------------------------
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
By:
- --------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
A-3
<PAGE> 45
(FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION)
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
CHICAGO, as Trustee
By:
--------------------------------------
Authorized Officer
A-4
<PAGE> 46
(FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE)
This Note is one of the Notes of the Company (herein sometimes referred to
as the "Notes"), specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be issued under
and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of March 27, 1998 (the "Indenture"), duly
executed and delivered between the Company and The First National Bank of
Chicago, 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 Notes.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Notes may be declared,
and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the
effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes
at the time outstanding, as defined in the Indenture, to execute supplemental
indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner
or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of modifying in any
manner the rights of the holders of the Notes; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of each holder of Notes then
outstanding and affected thereby, (i) extend the Stated Maturity of any Notes,
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon, or make the principal of, or interest on, the Notes
payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect the
right of any holder of Notes to institute suit for the payment thereof, or (ii)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to
consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes
at the time outstanding, on behalf of all of the holders of the Notes, 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
Notes or a Default in respect of any covenant or provision under which the
Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of
Notes then outstanding. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note
(unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding
upon such Holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and of any
Note issued in exchange heretofore or in place hereof (whether by registration
of transfer or otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, and interest on this Note
at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000.00 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the
Indenture, this Note is transferable by the holder hereof on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of
transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee in the City and State of New
York accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly executed by the holder hereof or
his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount and series
will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge
will be made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation
thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the
Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the registrar may deem and treat the
holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Note shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the Note registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or
on account of the principal hereof, and interest due hereon and for all other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any
registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
A-5
<PAGE> 47
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or interest
on this Note, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or
based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder,
officer or director, past, present or future, as such, of the Company or of any
predecessor or successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute
or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise,
all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the
consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly waived and released.
All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.
A-6
<PAGE> 48
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Note
Certificate to:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Note Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may
substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
- ---------------------------------------------
Signature:
- ---------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note Certificate)
Signature Guarantee:
- ---------------
* Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a
bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the
requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A-7
<PAGE> 49
[FOR INITIAL NOTES ONLY]
EXHIBIT B
TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION
Trenwick Group Inc.
Metro Center
One Station Place
Stamford, CT 06902
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
First National Bank of Chicago
One First National Plaza
Suite 0126
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division
Dear Sirs:
In connection with the proposed transfer to us of $ principal
amount of 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003 (the "Notes") of Trenwick Group
Inc. (the "Company"), we confirm that:
1. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or other
applicable securities laws, and may not be offered, sold or otherwise
transferred except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our
behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing
Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date
which is two years after the later of the date of original issue thereof
and the last date on which the Company or any "affiliate" of the Company
was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the "Resale
Restriction Termination Date") only (a) to the Company, (b) pursuant to a
registration statement which has been declared effective under the
Securities Act, (c) so long as the Notes are eligible for resale pursuant
to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is
a "qualified institutional buyer" (a "QIB") as defined in Rule 144A of the
Securities Act that purchases for its own account or for the account of a
QIB to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on
rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur
outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the
Securities Act, (e) to an institutional "Accredited Investor" (an
"Institutional Accredited Investor") within the meaning of Rule 501 (a)(1),
(2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act that is acquiring
the Notes for its own account or for the account of such an Institutional
Accredited Investor for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for
offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the
Securities Act, or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act, subject to the right of
the Company prior to any such offer, sale or transfer (i) pursuant to
clause (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of
counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to it and
(ii) pursuant to clause (e) above to require that the transferor deliver to
the Company a letter from the transferee substantially similar to this
letter.
2. We are Institutional Accredited Investor purchasing for our own
account or for the account of such and Institutional Accredited Investor
for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in
connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act or any
other applicable securities laws and we have such knowledge and experience
in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits
and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which
we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its
investment for an indefinite period.
3. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or
for one or more accounts (each of which is an Institutional Accredited
Investor) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion and
for each of which we are acquiring not less than $100,000 total principal
amount of Notes
B-1
<PAGE> 50
4. We understand that the Notes are being sold to us pursuant to an
exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. We are not purchasing the notes with a
view to the resale, distribution or other disposition thereof.
5. You and the company are entitled to rely upon this letter and you
are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official
inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
6. As used herein, the term "United States" has the meaning given to
it by Rule 904 under the Securities Act.
THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
Very truly yours,
--------------------------------------
Name of Purchaser
By:
--------------------------------------
Date:
--------------------------------------
Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial
owner as follows:
Name:
- --------------------------------------------------------
Address:
- ------------------------------------------------------
Taxpayer ID Number:
- ---------------------------------------
B-2
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF MARCH 27, 1998
AMONG
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
AND
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
AS INITIAL PURCHASER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
1. Definitions................................................. 1
2. Registration Under the Securities Act....................... 5
(a) Exchange Offer.......................................... 5
(b) Shelf Registration...................................... 7
(c) Expenses................................................ 8
(d) Effective Registration Statement........................ 8
(e) Additional Interest..................................... 9
(f) Specific Enforcement.................................... 10
3. Registration Procedures..................................... 10
4. Indemnification and Contribution............................ 18
5. Participation in Underwritten Registrations................. 21
6. Selection of Underwriters................................... 21
7. Miscellaneous............................................... 21
(a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A.................................. 21
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements.............................. 22
(c) Amendments and Waivers.................................. 22
(d) Notices................................................. 22
(e) Successors and Assigns.................................. 23
(f) Third Party Beneficiary................................. 23
(g) Counterparts............................................ 23
(h) Headings................................................ 23
(i) GOVERNING LAW........................................... 23
(j) Severability............................................ 23
(k) Notes Held by the Company or its Affiliates............. 23
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of March 27, 1998 among TRENWICK GROUP INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and LEHMAN BROTHERS INC. ("Lehman Brothers" or the "Initial
Purchaser").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated March 24,
1998 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the Company, as issuer of $75,000,000
aggregate principal amount of 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003 (the
"Notes"). In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter into the Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide to the Initial Purchaser and its
direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
closing under the Purchase Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized
defined terms shall have the following meanings:
"Additional Interest" shall mean the additional amounts which shall become
payable in respect of the Notes if the Company fails to comply with the
Agreement or if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement fails to become effective.
"Advice" shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of Section
3 hereof.
"Applicable Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(t)
hereof.
"Business Day" shall mean a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day
on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required
to be closed.
"Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase
Agreement.
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement and also includes the Company's successors and permitted assigns.
"Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other
depositary appointed by the Trust; provided, however, that such depositary must
have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York.
"Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.
"Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer by the Company to the Holders to
exchange all of the Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes) for a
like principal amount of Exchange Notes pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the
Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate
form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in
each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and
all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Exchange Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Notes" shall mean the 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003 which
are to be offered in exchange for the Notes and which will contain terms
identical to the Notes (except that they will not contain terms with respect to
the transfer restrictions under the Securities Act, the provision for the
payment of Additional Interest under certain circumstances, or the $100,000
minimum principal amount transfer restriction relating to sales to institutional
accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) (1), (2), (3) or
<PAGE> 4
(7) under Regulation D of the Securities Act)). Exchange Notes include, where
applicable, the Private Exchange Notes.
"Extension Period" shall have the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
"Holder" shall mean the Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any
Registrable Notes, and each of its respective successors, assigns and direct and
indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Notes under the
Indenture.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Notes and the Exchange
Notes dated as of March 27, 1998 among the Company, as issuer, and The First
National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, as the same may be modified, supplemented
or amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
"Initial Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
"Inspectors" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n) hereof.
"Issue Date" shall mean March 27, 1998.
"Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
"Offering Memorandum" means the Offering Memorandum dated March 24, 1998
relating to the Notes.
"Participating Broker-Dealer" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3(t) hereof.
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, limited liability company, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Private Exchange" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Private Exchange Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Notes covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other
amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective amendments,
and in each case including all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
"Records" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n) hereof.
"Registrable Notes" shall mean the Notes and, if issued, the Private
Exchange Notes; provided, however, that Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the
case may be, shall cease to be Registrable Notes when (i) a Registration
Statement with respect to such Notes or Private Exchange Notes for the exchange
or resale thereof, as the case may be, shall have been declared effective under
the Securities Act and such Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be,
shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such
Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, may be sold to the public
pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule
144A) under the Securities Act, (iii) such Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as
the case may be, shall have ceased to be outstanding or (iv) with respect to the
Notes, such Notes have been exchanged for Exchange Notes upon consummation of
the Exchange Offer and are thereafter freely transferrable by the holders
thereof (other than an affiliate of the Company as defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act).
"Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the
fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel)
that is required to be retained by any Holder of Registrable Notes in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and expenses
2
<PAGE> 5
incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or
Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Notes
or Registrable Notes) and compliance with the rules of the NASD, (iii) all
expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing,
printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any
amendments or supplements thereto, and in preparing or assisting in preparing,
printing and distributing any underwriting agreements, securities sales
agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance
with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company and of the independent auditors of the Company,
including the expenses of any "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to
such performance and compliance, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, and
any exchange agent or custodian, (vii) all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing, if any, of any of the Registrable Notes on any
securities exchange or exchanges, and (viii) the reasonable fees and expenses of
any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any Registration
Statement.
"Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company and the Trust which covers any of the Exchange Notes or Registrable
Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and
supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective
amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Rule 144(k) Period" shall mean the period of two years (or such shorter
period as may hereafter be referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act
(or similar successor rule)) commencing on the Issue Date.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.
"Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section
2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"Shelf Registration Event Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration statement
of the Company and the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) hereof
which covers all of the Registrable Notes or all of the Private Exchange Notes,
as the case may be, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities
Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and
supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments,
in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto
and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"TIA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(1) hereof.
"Trustee" shall mean The First National Bank of Chicago.
2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) Exchange Offer. To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or
applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company shall, for the
benefit of the Holders, at the Company's cost, use its best efforts to (i) cause
to be filed with the SEC within 150 days after the date of the Offering
Memorandum an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate form under
the Securities Act covering the Exchange Offer, (ii) cause such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the
SEC not later than the date which is 180 days after the date of the Offering
Memorandum, and (iii) keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective
for not less than 30 calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law)
after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. Upon the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall
promptly commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Exchange
Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Notes
for a like principal amount of Exchange Notes (assuming that such Holder (A) is
not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities
3
<PAGE> 6
Act and is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable Notes acquired directly
from the Company for its own account, (B) acquires the Exchange Notes in the
ordinary course of such Holder's business and (C) has no arrangements or
understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the
purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes), to transfer such Exchange Notes
from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the
Securities Act and under state securities or blue sky laws.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:
(i) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter
of transmittal and related documents;
(ii) keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not
less than 30 days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders
(or longer if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein
as the "Exchange Period");
(iii) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer:
(iv) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to
the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day of the
Exchange Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of
such Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for exchange, and a
statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Notes
exchanged;
(v) notify each Holder that any Note not tendered by such Holder in
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest
or accumulate distributions, as the case may be, but will not retain any
rights under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchaser
and Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and
(vi) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws
relating to the Exchange Offer.
If the Initial Purchaser determines upon advice of its outside counsel that
it is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer with respect to the
exchange of Notes constituting any portion of an unsold allotment in the initial
distribution, as soon as practicable upon receipt by the Company of a written
request from such Initial Purchaser, the Company shall issue and deliver to such
Initial Purchaser in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for the Notes held by
such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount of the Notes of the Company,
that are identical (except that such securities may bear a customary legend with
respect to restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Securities Act) to the
Exchange Notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") and which are issued pursuant to
the Indenture. The Private Exchange Notes shall be of the same series as the
Exchange Notes and the Company and the Trust will seek to cause the CUSIP
Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP Numbers for the Private Exchange Notes as
for the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and, if
applicable, the Private Exchange, the Company shall:
(i) accept for exchange all Notes or portions thereof validly tendered
and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange;
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for
cancellation all Notes or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the
Company; and
(iii) issue, and cause the Trustee under the Indenture, promptly to
authenticate and deliver to each Holder, new Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes, as applicable, equal in principal amount to the principal
amount of the Notes as are surrendered by such Holder.
Interest on each Exchange Note and Private Exchange Note issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accrue from the last date on
which interest was paid on the Note surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no
interest has been paid on such Note, from the Issue Date. To the extent not
prohibited by any law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the
Company shall use their best
4
<PAGE> 7
efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above, and shall comply with
the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other
applicable laws in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall
not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not
violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes who wishes to exchange such Registrable Notes
for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer will be required to make certain
customary representations in connection therewith, including, representations
that (i) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (ii) the Exchange Notes to be
received by it were acquired in the ordinary course of its business and (iii) at
the time of the Exchange Offer, it has no arrangement with any Person to
participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of
the Exchange Notes. The Company shall inform the Initial Purchaser, after
consultation with the Trustee, of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom
the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchaser shall have the right to
contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Notes in
the Exchange Offer.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section
2(a), the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply solely with
respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes
held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Company shall have no further
obligation to register the Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes)
pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
(b) Shelf Registration. In the event that (i) the Company or the Majority
Holders reasonably determine, after conferring with counsel (which may be
in-house counsel), that the Exchange Offer Registration provided in Section 2(a)
above is not available because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not declared effective within 180 days of the date of the Offering
Memorandum or (iii) upon the request of the Initial Purchaser with respect to
any Registrable Notes held by it, if such Initial Purchaser is not permitted, in
the reasonable opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, pursuant to
applicable law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC, to
participate in the Exchange Offer and thereby receive securities that are freely
tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act and applicable blue sky
or state securities laws (any of the events specified in (i)-(iii) being a
"Shelf Registration Event" and the date of occurrence thereof, the "Shelf
Registration Event Date"), the Company shall, at their cost, use their best
efforts to cause to be filed as promptly as practicable after such Shelf
Registration Event Date, as the case may be, and, in any event, within 45 days
after such Shelf Registration Event Date (which shall be not be required to be
earlier than 150 days after the Issue Date), a Shelf Registration Statement
providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Notes, and shall
use its best efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared
effective by the SEC as soon as practicable. No Holder of Registrable Notes
shall be entitled to include any of its Registrable Notes in any Shelf
Registration pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder agrees in
writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to
such Holder and furnishes to the Company in writing, within 15 days after
receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may, after
conferring with counsel with regard to information relating to Holders that
would be required by the SEC to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement
or Prospectus included therein, reasonably request for inclusion in any Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which
any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish to the Company and
the Trust all information with respect to such Holder necessary to make the
information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially
misleading.
The Company agrees to use its best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement continuously effective for the Rule 144(k) Period (subject to
extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 3 hereof) or for such
shorter period which will terminate when all of the Registrable Notes covered by
the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement or cease to be outstanding or, if the Shelf Registration
Statement is filed solely as a result of a request made in accordance with
clause (iii) of the preceding paragraph, if the Company shall have furnished to
the Initial Purchaser an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Initial
Purchaser to the effect that registration is no longer necessary for resale by
the Initial Purchaser (the "Effectiveness Period"). The Company shall not permit
any securities other than Registrable Notes to be included in the Shelf
Registration. The Company will, in the
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<PAGE> 8
event a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, provide to each
Holder participating in the Shelf Registration Statement a reasonable number of
copies of the Prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement,
notify each such Holder when the Shelf Registration has become effective and use
its best efforts to take certain other actions as are required to permit certain
unrestricted resales of the Registrable Notes. The Company further agrees, if
necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, if required
by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form
used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities
Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registrations,
and the Company agrees to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Notes copies of
any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the
SEC.
(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection
with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof and will reimburse
the Initial Purchaser for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchaser, incurred in
connection with the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the Private Exchange, and
either Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP or any one other counsel
designated in writing by the Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders
of the Registrable Notes in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement,
which other counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Except as
provided herein, each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel, underwriting
discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or
disposition of such Holder's Registrable Notes pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement.
(d) Effective Registration Statement. An Exchange Offer Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective
unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if,
after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Notes pursuant
to a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental
agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have been
effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of
Registrable Notes pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.
The Company will be deemed not to have used their best efforts to cause the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective during the requisite period
if either of them voluntarily takes any action that would result in any such
Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders of
Registrable Notes covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer and sell
such Registrable Notes during that period unless such action is required by
applicable law.
(e) Additional Interest. In the event that (i)(A) neither the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is filed with
the SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum
or (B) notwithstanding that the Company has consummated or will consummate an
Exchange Offer, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement
and such Shelf Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to the date
required by Section 2(b) hereof, then commencing on the day after either such
required filing date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount
of the Notes affected thereby at a rate of 0.25% per annum; or
(ii) (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th
day after the date of the Offering Memorandum or (B) notwithstanding that the
Company has consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company is
required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day
after the date of the Offering Memorandum then, commencing on the 181st day
after the date of the Offering Memorandum, Additional Interest shall accrue on
the principal amount of the Notes affected thereby at a rate of 0.25% per annum;
or
(iii) (A) the Company has not exchanged all the Exchange Notes for Notes
validly tendered, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior
to the 30th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement was declared effective or (B) if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration Statement
ceases to be effective at any time prior to the expiration of the Rule 144(k)
Period (other than after such time as all Notes have been
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<PAGE> 9
disposed of thereunder or otherwise cease to be Registrable Notes), then
Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of Notes affected
thereby, at a rate of 0.25% per annum commencing on (x) the 31st day after such
effective date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration
Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed
in the aggregate 0.25% per annum; provided, further, however, that (1) upon the
filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration
Statement (in the case of clause (i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the
case of clause (ii) above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all
Notes validly tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) above), or upon the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of clause (iii)(B) above), Additional Interest on the
Notes as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the
case may be, shall cease to accrue.
Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to Section 2(e)(i), (ii) or
(iii) above will be payable in cash on April 1 and October 1 of each year to the
Holders of record of Notes on which Additional Interest is payable on the March
15 or September 15 preceding the relevant payment date.
(f) Specific Enforcement. Without limiting the remedies available to the
Holders, the Company acknowledges that any failure by the Company to comply with
its obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in
material irreparable injury to the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy
at law, that it would not be possible to measure damages for such injuries
precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, any Holder may obtain such
relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations
under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.
3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of the
Company with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2(a)
and 2(b) hereof, the Company shall use its best efforts to:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration
Statements as prescribed by Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof within the relevant
time period specified in Section 2 hereof on the appropriate form under the
Securities Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company, (ii) shall, in
the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable
Notes by the selling Holders thereof and (iii) shall comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all
financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use its best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain
effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof; provided, however, that if (1)
such filing is pursuant to Section 2(b), or (2) a Prospectus contained in an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who
seeks to sell Exchange Notes, then before filing any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish
to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such Registration Statement, their
counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to
review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be
incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be
filed. The Company shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or
any amendments or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must be
afforded an opportunity to review prior to the filing of such document if the
Majority Holders or such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their
counsel or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented, if so
determined by the Company or requested by the SEC, by any required prospectus
supplement and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any
similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act, and comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by each Registration Statement during the Effectiveness
Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be, in accordance with the
intended
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<PAGE> 10
method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof described in
this Agreement (including sales by any Participating Broker-Dealer);
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of
Registrable Notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement, at least three
Business Days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect
to the Registrable Notes is being filed and advising such Holder that the
distribution of Registrable Notes will be made in accordance with the method
selected by the Majority Holders; and (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable
Notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement and to each underwriter of an
underwritten offering of Registrable Notes, if any, without charge, as many
copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any
amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or
underwriter may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or
other disposition of the Registrable Notes; and (iii) consent to the use of the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders
of Registrable Notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement in connection
with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by the Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto;
(d) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its best efforts to register
or qualify the Registrable Notes under all applicable state securities or "blue
sky" laws of such jurisdictions by the time the applicable Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC as any Holder of Registrable Notes
covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten
offering of Registrable Notes shall reasonably request in writing sufficiently
in advance of such date of effectiveness, and do any and all other acts and
things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder and
underwriter to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such
Registrable Notes owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in
securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject to such
service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction
if it is not then so subject;
(e) in the case of (1) a Shelf Registration or (2) Participating
Broker-Dealers from whom the Company has received prior written notice that they
will be utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement as provided in Section 3(t) hereof and who are seeking to sell
Exchange Notes and are required to deliver Prospectuses, notify each Holder of
Registrable Notes, or such Participating Broker-Dealers, as the case may be,
their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly and promptly
confirm such notice in writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become
effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become
effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for
amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective,
(iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the
qualification of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be offered or
sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer in any jurisdiction described in
paragraph 3(d) hereof or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,
(iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if, between the effective date of a
Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Notes covered
thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any
purchase agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if
any, cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening
of any event or the failure of any event to occur or the discovery of any facts,
during the Effectiveness Period, which makes any statement made in such
Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect
or which causes such Registration Statement or Prospectus to omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the
Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest
possible moment;
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(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Notes included within the coverage of such Shelf Registration
Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration
Statement relating to such Shelf Registration and any post-effective amendment
thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits
thereto, unless requested);
(h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders
of Registrable Notes to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold and not bearing any
restrictive legends and in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of
the Indenture) and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the
underwriters may reasonably request at least two Business Days prior to the
closing of any sale of Registrable Notes pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration or an Exchange Offer Registration,
upon the occurrence of any circumstance contemplated by Section 3(e)(ii),
3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, use its best efforts to prepare a
supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any
other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of
the Registrable Notes, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not materially misleading; and to notify each Holder to suspend use of the
Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and
each Holder hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has
amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;
(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to the
filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a
Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a
Registration Statement, provide a reasonable number of copies of such document
to the Holders; and make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be
reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Notes or the Initial
Purchaser on behalf of such Holders available for discussion of such document;
(k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Notes not later than the
effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed
certificates for the Exchange Notes or the Registrable Notes, as the case may
be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;
(l) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 (the "TIA") in connection with the registration of the Exchange Notes or
Registrable Notes, as the case may be, and effect such changes to such documents
as may be required for them to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA and execute, and use its best efforts to cause the relevant trustee to
execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such documents
to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if requested by (x) the Initial
Purchaser, in the case where the Initial Purchaser holds Notes acquired by it as
part of its initial distribution or (y) Majority Holders of Notes covered
thereby, (i) enter into such agreements (including underwriting agreements) as
are customary in underwritten offerings and take all such other appropriate
actions as are reasonably requested in order to expedite or facilitate the
registration or the disposition of such Registrable Notes; (ii) make such
representations and warranties to Holders of such Registrable Notes and the
underwriters (if any), with respect to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries as then conducted and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and
documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
underwritten offerings, and confirm the same if and when requested; (iii) in the
case of an underwritten offering in connection with the Shelf Registration,
obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which may be in
the form of a reliance letter) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the managing underwriters and the Majority Holders of Notes being sold,
addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such
other matters as may be reasonably requested by such underwriters (it being
agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion may be subject to
customary qualifications and exceptions); (iv) in the case of an underwritten
offering in connection with the Shelf
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Registration Statement, obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters from the
independent auditors of the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent
auditors of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the
Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required
to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement),
addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and
covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in
connection with underwritten offerings and such other matters as are reasonably
requested by such underwriters in accordance with Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 72; and (v) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same
shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than
those set forth in Section 4 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures
acceptable to the Company and Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement and the
managing underwriters or agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified
pursuant to said Section (including, without limitation, such underwriters and
selling Holders). The above shall be done at each closing under such
underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder;
(n) if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 2(b) or (2) a
Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, make reasonably available for inspection by any selling
Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such
disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other
agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the
"Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business
hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Records") as
shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due
diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all relevant information in each case
reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration
Statement; provided, however, that the foregoing inspection and information
gathering shall be conducted on behalf of the Initial Purchaser by itself and
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and on behalf of all other selling
Holders by one counsel selected in accordance with Section 2(c) hereof. Records
which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and any records
which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the
Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or
correct a material misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii)
the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a court of competent jurisdiction or is necessary in connection with any
action, suit or proceeding or (iii) the information in such Records has been
made generally available to the public. Each selling Holder of such Registrable
Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree in
writing that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be
deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market
transactions in the securities of the Company unless and until such is made
generally available to the public by the Company. Each such Holder of such
Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to
agree in writing that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is
sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and
allow the Company at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;
(o) as soon as practicable after the first day of the first fiscal quarter
of the Company beginning after the effective date of a Registration Statement,
but in any event not later than the earliest required filing date by the Company
of a Form 10-K after the end of the 12-month period beginning at the end of the
fiscal quarter of the Company during which the effective date of a Registration
Statement occurs, to make generally available to its securityholders earning
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
covering such 12-month period;
(p) upon consummation of an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, if
requested by a Trustee, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company addressed to
the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Notes participating in
the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, and which
includes an
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opinion that (i) the Company has duly authorized, executed and delivered the
Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes, and (ii) each of the Exchange Notes
or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, constitute a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its respective terms (with customary exceptions);
(q) if an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon
delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Company (or to such other
Person as may be directed by the Company), in exchange for the Exchange Notes or
the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Company shall mark, or cause
to be marked, on such Registrable Notes delivered by such Holders that such
Registrable Notes are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be;
(r) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection
with any filings required to be made with the NASD;
(s) use its best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the
registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement
contemplated hereby;
(t) (A) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (i)
include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of
Distribution," which section shall be reasonably acceptable to the Initial
Purchaser or another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, and
which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made
by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of
any broker-dealer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer") that holds Registrable Notes
acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes to be received by such
broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer, whether such positions or policies have
been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or
policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchaser or such other
representative, represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC,
including a statement that any such broker-dealer who receives Exchange Notes
for Registrable Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory
underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes, (ii)
furnish to each Participating Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the
notice referred to in Section 3(e), without charge, as many copies of each
Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any
preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such
Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request (the Company hereby consents
to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Person subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including all
Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or transfer of the
Exchange Notes covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto), (iii) use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein
in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons
subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such
period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements under the
Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations in order to resell the
Exchange Notes; provided, however, that such period shall not be required to
exceed 90 days (or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last sentence
of Section 3 hereof) (the "Applicable Period"), and (iv) include in the
transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by an exchange
offeree in order to participate in the Exchange Offer (x) the following
provision:
"If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding Registrable Notes
acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
Exchange Notes received in respect of such Registrable Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer"; and (y) a statement to the effect that by a
broker-dealer making the acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by
delivering a Prospectus in connection with the exchange of Registrable
Notes, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and
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(B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the
Company agrees to deliver to the Initial Purchaser or to another representative
of the Participating Broker-Dealers, if requested by such Initial Purchaser or
such other representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, on behalf of the
Participating Broker-Dealers upon consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) an
opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial
Purchaser or such other representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers,
covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in connection
with Exchange Offer Registration Statements and such other matters as may be
reasonably requested (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such
opinion may be subject to customary qualifications and exceptions), (ii) an
officers' certificate containing certifications substantially similar to those
set forth in Section 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement and such additional
certifications as are customarily delivered in a public offering of debt
securities and (iii) as well as upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, a comfort letter, in each case, in customary form if
permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72.
The Company may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which any
registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information
regarding such seller as may be required by the staff of the SEC to be included
in a Registration Statement. The Company may exclude from such registration the
Registrable Notes of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. The Company
shall have no obligation to register under the Securities Act the Registrable
Notes of a seller who so fails to furnish such information.
In the case of (1) a Shelf Registration Statement or (2) Participating
Broker-Dealers who have notified the Company that they will be utilizing the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as provided in
Section 3(t) hereof and who are seeking to sell Exchange Notes and are required
to deliver Prospectuses, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice
from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section
3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Registrable Notes pursuant to a Registration
Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof or until it is advised in
writing (the "Advice") by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus
may be resumed, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to
the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies in such Holder's possession,
other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the
Prospectus covering such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may
be, current at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give any
such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes,
as the case may be, pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company shall use
its best efforts to file and have declared effective (if an amendment) as soon
as practicable an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and
shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be
maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days in the
period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including
the date when the Company shall have made available to the Holders (x) copies of
the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions or
(y) the Advice.
4. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) In connection with any
Registration Statement, the Company shall, indemnify and hold harmless the
Initial Purchaser, each Holder who participates in an offering of Registrable
Notes, each underwriter who participates in an offering of the Registrable
Notes, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person, if any, who controls any
of such parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective directors, officers,
employees and agents, as follows:
(i) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, joint or several, as incurred, arising out of any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), covering
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, including all documents incorporated
therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged
12
<PAGE> 15
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading;
(ii) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, joint or several, as incurred, to the extent of the
aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation
or proceeding by any court or governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement
or omission referred to in clause (i) above, or any such alleged untrue
statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, if such settlement
is effected with the prior written consent of the Company; and (iii) from
and against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred (including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by such Holder, such
Participating Broker-Dealer, or any underwriter (except to the extent
otherwise expressly provided in Section 4(c) hereof)), reasonably incurred
in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any court or governmental agency or body,
commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, or any such alleged
untrue statement or omission referred to in clause (i) above, to the extent
that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this
Section 4(a);
provided, however, that (i) this indemnity does not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing to the
Company by such Holder, such Participating Broker-Dealer or any underwriter with
respect to such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer or any underwriter, as the
case may be, expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) and (ii) the
Company shall not be liable to any such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, any
underwriter or controlling person, with respect to any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission in any preliminary
Prospectus to the extent that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
of any Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, any underwriter or controlling
person results from the fact that such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer,
underwriter or controlling person sold Notes to a Person to whom there was not
sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of
the final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented if the Company had
previously furnished copies thereof to such Holder, Participating Broker-
Dealer, underwriter or controlling person and the loss, liability, claim, damage
or expense of such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, underwriter or
controlling person results from an untrue statement or omission of a material
fact contained in the preliminary Prospectus which was corrected in the final
Prospectus. Any amounts advanced by the Company to an indemnified party pursuant
to this Section 4 as a result of such losses shall be returned to the Company if
it shall be finally determined by such a court in a judgment not subject to
appeal or final review that such indemnified party was not entitled to
indemnification by the Company.
(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, any underwriter and the other selling Holders and each of
their respective directors, officers (including each officer of the Company who
signed the Registration Statement), employees, trustees and agents and each
Person, if any, who controls the Company, any underwriter or any other selling
Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act, from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage
and expense whatsoever described in the indemnity contained in Section 4(a)
hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or
alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or
any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by such selling Holder with respect to such Holder expressly for
use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any such
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that, in
the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, no such Holder shall be liable for
any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such
Holder from the sale of Registrable Notes pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement.
Each indemnified party shall give prompt notice to each indemnifying party
of any action threatened or commenced against it in respect of which any
indemnity is sought hereunder, enclosing a copy of all papers served on, and
notices and demands delivered to, such indemnified party, if any, but failure to
so notify an
13
<PAGE> 16
indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability
which it may have under this Section 4, except to the extent that it is
materially prejudiced by such failure. The indemnifying party shall be entitled
to assume the defense of any such action or proceeding with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party who shall not, except with the consent of
such indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party. Upon assumption by
the indemnifying party of the defense of any such action or proceeding, the
indemnified party shall have the right to participate in such action or
proceeding and to retain its own counsel, but the indemnifying party shall not
be liable for any legal fees or expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the
indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the
indemnifying party shall have failed to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the indemnified party in a timely manner, or (iii) the indemnified party
shall have been advised by counsel (who shall not be employed by such
indemnified party and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying
party) that such representation would constitute an actual or potential conflict
of interests for counsel selected by the indemnifying party or that the
indemnified party shall have significant separate defenses available to it or
them. The indemnifying party shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or
settlement of any action defended by the indemnifying party in accordance with
the foregoing without the prior consent of the indemnified party, and the
indemnified party shall not consent to the terms of any compromise or settlement
of any action being defended by the indemnifying party in accordance with the
foregoing without the prior consent of the indemnifying party.
(c) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances under which any of the indemnity provisions set forth in this
Section 4 is for any reason held to be unavailable to the indemnified parties
although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company and the Holders
shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by the
Company and the Holders, as incurred; provided that no Person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933
Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person that was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation. As between the Company and the Holders, such
parties shall contribute to such aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages
and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement in such
proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company,
on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, with respect to the
statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the
Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or by or on behalf of the Holders, on
the other, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company
and the Holders of the Registrable Notes agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were to be determined by
pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into
account the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 4,
each affiliate of a Holder, and each director, officer, employee, agent and
Person, if any, who controls a Holder or such affiliate within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have
the same rights to contribution from the Company, as such Holder, and each
director of each of the Company, each officer of each of the Company who signed
the Registration Statement, and each Person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution from the Holders as the
Company.
5. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate
in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell
such Holder's Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements provided for herein and (b) completes and executes all reasonable
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements,
lock-up letters and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
6. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders of Registrable Notes covered by
a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell the securities
covered by such Shelf Registration in an underwritten
14
<PAGE> 17
offering. In any such underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and
manager or managers that will administer the offering will be selected by the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes
included in such offering; provided, however, that such underwriters and
managers must be satisfactory to the Company and any fees of such underwriters
and managers must be paid by the Holders.
7. Miscellaneous.
(a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A. For so long as the Company is subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act and any
Registrable Notes remain outstanding, the Company, will use its best efforts to
file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the
SEC thereunder, and if it ceases to be so required to file such reports, it
will, upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Notes (a) make publicly
available such information as is necessary to permit sales of their securities
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (b) deliver such information to a
prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales of their securities
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and it will take such further
action as any Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably request, and (c) take
such further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to
the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its
Registrable Notes without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
as such rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any
similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of
any Holder of Registrable Notes, the Company will deliver to such Holder a
written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered into nor will
the Company on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement
which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable
Notes in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The
rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's other
issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the
provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and
waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given
unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Notes
affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure;
provided no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to the
departure with respect to the provisions of Section 4 hereof shall be effective
as against any Holder of Registrable Notes unless consented to in writing by
such Holder of Registrable Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (i)
this Agreement may be amended, without the consent of any Holder of Registrable
Notes, by written agreement signed by the Company and Lehman Brothers, to cure
any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision of this Agreement that may be
inconsistent with any other provision of this Agreement or to make any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement
which shall not be inconsistent with other provisions of this Agreement, (ii)
this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers and
consents to departures from the provisions hereof may be given, by written
agreement signed by the Company and Lehman Brothers to the extent that any such
amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent is, in their reasonable
judgment, necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law (including any
interpretation of the Staff of the SEC) or any change therein and (iii) to the
extent any provision of this Agreement relates to the Initial Purchaser, such
provision may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to
departures from such provisions may be given, by written agreement signed by
Lehman Brothers and the Company.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted
hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class
mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if
to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by
means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(d),
which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchaser, the address
set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the Company, initially at
15
<PAGE> 18
the Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such
other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 7(d).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of the Initial
Purchaser, including, without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be
deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable
Notes in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If
any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Notes, in any manner,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Notes shall be held
subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such
Registrable Notes, such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be
bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and
such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
(f) Third Party Beneficiary. Each of the Holders shall be a third party
beneficiary of the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD
TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Notes Held by the Company or its Affiliates. Whenever the consent or
approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is required
hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Company or its
16
<PAGE> 19
affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall
not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
Holders of such required percentage.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By: /s/ JAMES F. BILLETT, JR.
--------------------------------------
Name: James F. Billett, Jr.
Title: Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
By: /s/ NELSON SOARES
--------------------------------------------------------
Name: Nelson Soares
Title: Managing Director
17
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
BAKER & MCKENZIE
805 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
Trenwick Group Inc.
Metro Center
One Station Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Re: Trenwick Group Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-4
Filed With the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 5, 1998
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration by the Company
of $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due
April 1, 2003 (the "Notes") to be issued under the Indenture dated as of March
27, 1998 (the "Indenture") between the Company and The First National Bank of
Chicago, as trustee under the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Registration
Statement").
We are familiar with the proceedings of the Company relating to the
authorization of the Notes and the Indenture filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In addition, we have made such further examinations of
law and fact as we have deemed appropriate in connection with the opinion
hereinafter set forth.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications,
exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the
execution and delivery of the Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action of the Company, and the Notes, when executed, authenticated and
delivered against surrender of Old Notes (as defined in the Registration
Statement) in accordance with the Indenture, will be entitled to the benefits of
the Indenture, and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the
Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except
as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
We express no opinion as to any laws other than the Federal laws of the
United States, the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to our firm as set forth under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration
Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the
category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ BAKER & MCKENZIE
--------------------------------------
Baker & McKenzie
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12.1
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
COMPUTATION OF CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
MARCH 31, -----------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings:
Net income........................... $ 9,245 $35,252 $33,848 $29,841 $20,282 $23,739
Extraordinary loss on debt -- 1,037 -- -- -- --
redemption, net of $558 income tax
benefit............................
Income taxes......................... 1,268 11,241 9,980 8,572 2,753 4,220
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes and 10,513 47,530 43,828 38,413 23,035 27,959
extraordinary item.................
Fixed charges (as below)............. 2,566 10,140 6,826 6,805 6,785 6,737
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Earnings (for ratio calculation)..... $13,079 $57,670 $50,654 $45,218 $29,820 $34,696
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Fixed charges:
Interest expense..................... $ 58 $ 894 $ 6,503 $ 6,496 $ 6,469 $ 6,486
Minority interest.................... 2,426 8,920 -- -- -- --
Portion of rental expense which 82 326 323 309 316 251
approximates the interest factor...
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total fixed charges.................. $ 2,566 $10,140 $ 6,826 $ 6,805 $ 6,785 $ 6,737
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges... 5.1 5.7 7.4 6.6 4.4 5.2
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
For purposes of computing the consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, "earnings" represent income before income taxes and extraordinary item
and fixed charges. "Fixed charges" include gross interest expense (other than on
deposits), minority interest and the proportion deemed representative of the
interest factor of rent expense.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated
January 27, 1998, which appears on page 47 of the 1997 Annual Report to
Stockholders of Trenwick Group Inc., which is incorporated by reference in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. We also consent
to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement
Schedules, which appears on page S-4 of such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
August 5, 1998
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Power of Attorney has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. By so signing, each of the undersigned,
in his capacity as a director of Trenwick Group Inc. (the "Company"), does
hereby appoint James F. Billett, Jr. and Alan L. Hunte, and each of them
severally, his true and lawful attorneys or attorney to execute in his name,
place and stead, in his capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") registering $75,000,000 principal amount of 6.70% Senior
Exchange Notes of the Company and any and all amendments to the Registration
Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith,
and to file the same with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the
undersigned, in his capacity as a director of the Company, every act whatsoever
requisite or necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents
and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ W. MARSTON BECKER Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
W. Marston Becker
/s/ ANTHONY S. BROWN Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
Anthony S. Brown
/s/ NEIL DUNN Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
Neil Dunn
/s/ P. ANTHONY JACOBS Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
P. Anthony Jacobs
/s/ JOSEPH D. SARGENT Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
Joseph D. Sargent
/s/ FREDERICK D. WATKINS Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
Frederick D. Watkins
/s/ STEPHEN R. WILCOX Director May 20, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
Stephen R. Wilcox
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 25.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)
------------------------
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
(EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION 36-0899825
(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670-0126
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670-0286
ATTN: LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
(EXACT NAME OF OBLIGORS AS SPECIFIED IN THEIR TRUST AGREEMENTS)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DELAWARE 06-1152790
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
OR ORGANIZATION)
METRO CENTER
ONE STATION PLACE
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
6.70% SENIOR NOTES DUE APRIL 1, 2003
(TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(A) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
IS SUBJECT.
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.; Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, Washington D.C..
(B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.
No such affiliation exists with the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS
List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.
1. A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now in effect.*
2. A copy of the certificates of authority of the trustee to commence
business.*
3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust
powers.*
4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*
5. Not Applicable.
6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
8. Not Applicable.
9. Not Applicable.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national banking
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago
and State of Illinois, on the 30th day of July, 1998.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
TRUSTEE
BY /S/ STEVEN M. WAGNER
------------------------------------
STEVEN M. WAGNER
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
- ---------------
* EXHIBIT 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS BEARING
IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF U S
WEST CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
ON MAY 6, 1998 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-51907-01).
2
<PAGE> 3
EXHIBIT 6 TO FORM T-1
THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT
July 30, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Gentlemen:
In connection with the qualification of an indenture of Trenwick Group Inc.
to The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, the undersigned, in
accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by
Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be
furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its
request therefor.
Very truly yours,
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
BY: /S/ STEVEN M. WAGNER
------------------------------------
STEVEN M. WAGNER
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
<PAGE> 4
EXHIBIT 7 TO FORM T-1
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Legal Title of Bank: The First National Bank of Chicago Call Date: 03/31/98 ST-BK: 17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address: One First National Plaza, Ste 0460 Page RC-1
City, State Zip: Chicago, IL 60670
FDIC Certificate No.: 0/3/6/1/8
</TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1998
All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the
quarter.
SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
THOUSANDS C400
------------------- -----------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
1. Cash and balances due from depository institutions RCFD
(from Schedule RC-A):
0081 4,141,168 1.a
a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and
coin(1).........................................
0071 5,142,787 1.b
b. Interest-bearing balances(2)....................
2. Securities
1754 0 2.a
a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B,
column A).......................................
1773 7,819,811 2.b
b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule
RC-B, column D)....................................
3. Federal funds sold and securities purchased under 1350 5,619,157 3.
agreements to resell...............................
4. Loans and lease financing receivables: RCFD
2122 26,140,376 4.a
a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from
Schedule RC-C)..................................
3123 417,371 4.b
b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses.......
3128.. 0 4.c
c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve...........
RCFD
d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
allowance,
2125 25,723,005 4.d
and RCFD reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c.......
5. Trading assets (from Schedule RD-D)................ 3545 5,795,159 5.
6. Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized 2145 757,033 6.
leases)............................................
7. Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)....... 2150 6,547 7.
8. Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and 2130 135,327 8.
associated companies (from Schedule RC-M)..........
9. Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances 2155 512,763 9.
outstanding........................................
10. Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)............. 2143 261,456 10.
11. Other assets (from Schedule RC-F).................. 2160 2,223,495 11.
12. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)........... 2170 58,137,708 12.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2) Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Legal Title of Bank: The First National Bank of Chicago Call Date: 03/31/98
ST-BK: 17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address: One First National Plaza, Ste 0460
Page RC-2
City, State Zip: Chicago, IL 60670
FDIC Certificate No.: 0/3/6/1/8
</TABLE>
SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
THOUSANDS
-----------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES
13. Deposits:
RCON
a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C
from Schedule RC-E, part 1).............................. 2200 21,551,932 13.a
(1) Noninterest-bearing(1).................................. 6631 9,361,049 13.a1
(2) Interest-bearing........................................ 6636 12,190,883 13.a2
RCFN
b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)....................... 2200 14,511,110 13.b
(1) Noninterest bearing..................................... 6631 604,859 13.b1
(2) Interest-bearing........................................ 6636 13,906,251 13.b2
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements
to repurchase:.............................................. RCFD 2800 3.887,022 14
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury................. RCON 2840 63,092 15.a
b. Trading Liabilities(from Sechedule RC-D)................. RCFD 3548 5,918,194 15.b
RCFD
16. Other borrowed money:
a. With original maturity of one year or less............... 2332 3,134,696 16.a
b. With original maturity of more than one year............. A547 381,681 16.b
c. With original maturity of more than three years.......... A548 326,551 16.c
17. Not applicable
18. Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding..... 2920 512,763 18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures........................... 3200 2,000,000 19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)...................... 2930 1,163,747 20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20).............. 2948 53,450,788 21.
22. Not applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus............... 3838 0 23.
24. Common stock................................................ 3230 200,858 24.
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock).... 3839 3,107,585 25.
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves................... 3632 1,359,598 26.a
b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on
available-for-sale securities............................ 8434 18,975 26.b
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments......... 3284 (96) 27.
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)........... 3210 4,686,920 28.
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity
capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)....................... 3300 58,137,708 29.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement Number
below that best describes the most comprehensive level of M.1.
auditing work performed for the bank by independent external
auditors as of any date during 1996......................... RCFD 6724 2
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <C> <S>
1 = Independent audit of the bank conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards by a certified public accounting firm
which submits a report on the bank
2 = Independent audit of the bank's parent holding
company conducted in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards by a certified public
accounting firm which submits a report on the
consolidated holding company (but not on the bank
separately)
3 = Directors' examination of the bank conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards by a certified public accounting firm (may
be required by state chartering authority)
4. = Directors' examination of the bank performed by
other external auditors (may be required by state
chartering authority)
5 = Review of the bank's financial statements by
external auditors
6 = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by
external auditors
7 = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation
work)
8 = No external audit work
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
deposits.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
Offer to Exchange its
6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due April 1, 2003,
which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
for any and all of its outstanding
6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003
Pursuant to the Prospectus
dated , 1998
------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON , 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
------------------------
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By Registered or Certified Mail, Hand Or Overnight Delivery:
The First National Bank of Chicago
c/o First Chicago Trust Company of New York
14 Wall Street
8th Floor, Window 2
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Department
Confirm by Telephone:
(212) 240-8801
Facsimile Transmissions:
(Eligible Institutions Only)
(212) 240-8938
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE, OR TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE
WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
<PAGE> 2
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Notes (as
defined below) either if Old Notes are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of
Old Notes are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by The
First National Bank of Chicago (the "Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus and an Agent's
Message (as defined herein) is not delivered.
Holders of Old Notes whose certificates (the "Certificates") for such Old
Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Certificates and
all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration
Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who cannot complete the procedures for
book-entry transfer on a timely basis must tender their Old Notes according to
the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES TENDERED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF BLANK, PLEASE PRINT NAME AND
ADDRESS OLD NOTES TENDERED
OF REGISTERED HOLDER. (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD NOTES TENDERED
NUMBER(S)* OF OLD NOTES (IF LESS THAN ALL)**
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL
AMOUNT
TENDERED:
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
** Old Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in any integral multiples
of $1,000 not withstanding the requirement, applicable to all other
transfers of Old Notes, of minimum principal transfer amount of
$100,000. For purposes of tenders of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer,
the requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 in principal amount
will be waived. All Old Notes held shall be deemed tendered unless a
lesser number is specified in this column. See Instruction 4.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
<PAGE> 3
(BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution
DTC Account Number
Transaction Code Number
[ ] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF
GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING
DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING:
Name of Registered Holder(s)
Window Ticket Number (if any)
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery
If Guaranteed Delivered is to be made By Book-Entry
Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution
DTC Account Number
Transaction Code Number
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND
NON-EXCHANGED OLD NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE
DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD
NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER")
AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS
AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name:
Address:
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 4
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), the above described aggregate principal amount of
the Company's 6.70% Senior Notes (the "Old Notes") in exchange for a like
aggregate principal amount of the Company's 6.70% Senior Exchange Notes (the
"Exchange Notes") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the Prospectus dated , 1998 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is
acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the
Prospectus constitute the "Exchange Offer").
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Old Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended
or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the
Company all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes as are being
tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that
the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company in connection with the
Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Old Notes, with full power of
substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power
coupled with an interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in
the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for Old Notes to the Company
together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or
upon the order of, the Company, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the
undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange for such Old
Notes, (ii) present Certificates for such Old Notes for transfer, and to
transfer the Old Notes on the books of the Company, and (iii) receive for the
account of the Company all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS
FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE OLD
NOTES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE, THE
COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE THERETO, FREE AND
CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES, AND THAT THE OLD
NOTES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES. THE
UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
DEEMED BY THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO
COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, SALE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE OLD NOTES TENDERED
HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS). THE UNDERSIGNED
HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes
tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth
above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Old Notes. The
Certificate number(s) and the Old Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender
should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
If any tendered Old Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer
for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old Notes than are
tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged or
nontendered Old Notes will be returned (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by
book-entry transfer, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained at
DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration
or termination of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to any one
of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions will, upon the Company's
acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old Notes, constitute a binding
agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes that, under
certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be
required to accept for exchange any of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
4
<PAGE> 5
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Notes be
issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Old Notes, that such Exchange Notes be credited to the account
indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute Certificates
representing Old Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued
to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes, will
be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" below, please deliver
Exchange Notes to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's
signature.
By tendering Old Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal, the
undersigned hereby represents and agrees that (i) the undersigned is not an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by the undersigned are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) the undersigned has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of Exchange Notes to be received in
the Exchange Offer, and (iv) if the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the
undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Notes. By tendering
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and executing this Letter of
Transmittal, a holder of Old Notes which is a broker-dealer represents and
agrees, consistent with certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission to
third parties, that (a) such Old Notes held by the broker-dealer are held only
as a nominee, or (b) such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer for its
own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities
and it will deliver a prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time)
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Notes (provided that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act).
THE COMPANY HAS AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME
TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN
CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD NOTES,
WHERE SUCH OLD NOTES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES,
FOR A PERIOD ENDING 90 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (SUBJECT TO EXTENSION
UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF EARLIER,
WHEN ALL SUCH EXCHANGE NOTES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED OLD NOTES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A
"PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH OLD NOTES AND EXECUTING THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR DELIVERING AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, AGREES
THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM THE COMPANY OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR
THE DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT WHICH MAKES ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THE PROSPECTUS UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE
PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE A MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE
STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN LIGHT OF THE
CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF
CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES PURSUANT TO
THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE COMPANY HAS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO
CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE COMPANY HAS
GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY
BE. IF THE COMPANY GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES,
IT SHALL EXTEND THE 90-DAY PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE
OF EXCHANGE NOTES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE
DATE OF THE GIVING OF SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALERS SHALL HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED
PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES OR TO AND INCLUDING
THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES
MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
5
<PAGE> 6
As a result, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the
Prospectus in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company, or cause the
Company to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a
Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided
above or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent."
Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not
receive interest on such Old Notes and the undersigned waives the right to
receive any interest on such Old Notes accumulated from and including March 27,
1998. Accordingly, holders of Exchange Notes as of the record date for the
payment of interest on October 1, 1998 will be entitled to interest accumulated
from and including March 27, 1998.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or
desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the Old
Notes tendered hereby. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred
in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the
undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding
upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in
bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
Except as stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
6
<PAGE> 7
HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
(NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificates(s) for the Old Notes hereby tendered or on a security position
listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by
endorsements and documents transmitted herewith (including such opinions of
counsel, certificates and other information as may be required by the Company or
the Exchange Agent to comply with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the
Old Notes). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary
capacity or representative capacity, please set forth the signer's full title.
See Instruction 5.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Signature(s) of Holder(s))
Date , 1998
------------------------
Name(s)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area Code(s) and Telephone Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)
Authorized Signature
Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Date , 1998
------------------------
Capacity or Title
Name of Firm
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code(s) and Telephone Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7
<PAGE> 8
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)
To be completed ONLY if Exchange Notes and/or any Old Notes that are not
tendered are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered
holder of the Old Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.
Issue:
[ ] Exchange Notes to:
[ ] Old Notes not tendered to:
Name
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
Address
- ---------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)
To be completed ONLY if Exchange Notes and/or any Old Notes that are not
tendered are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder of the Old
Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above, or to the registered holder(s) at an
address other than that shown above.
Mail:
[ ] Exchange Notes to:
[ ] Old Notes not tendered to:
Name
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
Address
- ---------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
8
<PAGE> 9
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a) tenders
are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set
forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the
Prospectus and an Agent's Message is not delivered or (b) Certificates are to be
forwarded herewith. Timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old
Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC (a "book-entry confirmation"), or
Certificates as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof),
properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees,
and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received
by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the
Expiration Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering
an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term "Agent's
Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to and received by the Exchange
Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has
received an express acknowledgment from the DTC participant, which
acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound
by the Letter of Transmittal (including the representations contained herein)
and that the Company may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such
participant. Old Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in any integral
multiples of $1,000 principal amount notwithstanding the requirement, applicable
to all other transfers of Old Notes, of a minimum principal transfer amount of
$100,000. For purposes of tenders of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, the
requirement for minimum transfers of $100,000 in principal amount will be
waived.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) who cannot complete the
procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, (ii) who
cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other
required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or
(iii) whose Old Notes are not immediately available may tender their Old Notes
by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such
procedures: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution
(as defined below); (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date; and (c) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation)
representing tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer, together with a
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof),
properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and
any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by
the Exchange Agent within three (3) Nasdaq Stock Market trading days after the
date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For Old Notes to be
properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the Exchange
Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or prior to the Expiration
Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm
or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an
eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein)
(i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or
government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national
securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or
(v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities Transfer
Association.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND
THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
9
<PAGE> 10
The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof, waives any right to
receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:
(i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder
(which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant
in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
the Old Notes) of Old Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has
completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the
box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or
(ii) such Old Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an
Eligible Institution.
In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s)
on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Old Notes" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the
principal amount of Old Notes and any other required information should be
listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of
Transmittal.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Old Notes will be
accepted in whole or in part in any integral multiples of $1,000 principal
amount notwithstanding the requirement, applicable to all other transfers of Old
Notes, of a principal minimum transfer amount of $100,000. For purposes of
tenders of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, the requirement for minimum
transfers of $100,000 in principal amount will be waived. If less than all the
Old Notes evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the
principal amount of Old Notes which are to be tendered in the box entitled
"Principal Amount of Old Notes Tendered." In such case, new Certificate(s) for
the remainder of the Old Notes that were evidenced by your old Certificate(s)
will be sent to the holder of the Old Notes, promptly after the Expiration Date,
unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal are completed. All
Old Notes represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a withdrawal to be
effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile
transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth above or in the Prospectus on or prior
to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of
the person who tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, the aggregate principal
amount of Old Notes to be withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Old Notes have
been tendered) the name of the registered holder of the Old Notes as set forth
on the Certificates for the Old Notes, if different from that of the person who
tendered such Old Notes. If Certificates for the Old Notes have been delivered
or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical
release of such Certificates for the Old Notes, the tendering holder must submit
the serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Old Notes to be
withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old Notes tendered for the account
of an Eligible Institution. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes," the notice of withdrawal must specify the
name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old
Notes, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to
the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission on
or prior to the Expiration Date. Withdrawals of tenders of Old Notes may not be
rescinded. Old Notes properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on
or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in
the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
10
<PAGE> 11
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Neither the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange
Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of
any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for
failure to give any such notification. Any Old Notes which have been tendered
but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to
such holder promptly after withdrawal.
5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s)
as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or
any change whatsoever.
If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Old Notes are registered in different name(s) on several
Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different
registrations of Certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of such persons' authority
to so act.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the
Old Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or
separate bond power(s) are required unless Exchange Notes are to be issued in
the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such
Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Old Notes listed, the Certificates must be endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names
of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must be
accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as
the Company or the Exchange Agent may require in accordance with the
restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Notes. Signatures on such
Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If Exchange Notes are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the
signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Certificates for Old Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if
tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above
maintained at DTC unless the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal are
completed. See Instruction 4.
7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, all
questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Notes, which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves
the absolute right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all
tenders determined by them not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which,
or exchange for, may, in the view of counsel to the Company, be unlawful. The
Company also reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive
any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under
"The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any conditions or
irregularity in any tender of Old Notes of any particular holder whether or not
similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders.
The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final
and binding. No tender of Old Notes will be deemed to have been validly made
until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived.
Neither the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange
Agent, nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any
irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such
notification.
11
<PAGE> 12
8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and
requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and
telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
9. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right, subject
to applicable law, to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in
the Prospectus.
10. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Notes, by execution of
this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the
acceptance of Old Notes for exchange.
Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated
to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Old
Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such
notice.
11. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s)
representing Old Notes have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should
promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to the
steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This Letter of
Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for
replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been followed.
12. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Old Notes for
exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of Old Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of
any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other
persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE.
12
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.2
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
FOR TENDER OF
6.70% SENIOR NOTES DUE APRIL 1, 2003
OF
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this
form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates for the Company's (as defined below) 6.70% Senior Notes due April
1, 2003 (the "Old Notes") are not immediately available, (ii) Old Notes, the
Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents, cannot be delivered to
The First National Bank of Chicago (the "Exchange Agent") on or prior to 5:00
p.m. New York City time, on the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus
referred to below) or (iii) the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer
cannot be completed on a timely basis. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be
delivered by hand, overnight courier or mail, or transmitted by facsimile
transmission, to the Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for
Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus. In addition, to utilize the guaranteed
delivery procedure to tender Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a
completed, signed and dated Letter of Transmittal relating to the Old Notes (or
facsimile thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00
p.m. New York City time on the Expiration Date. Capitalized terms not defined
herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By Registered or Certified Mail, Hand or Overnight Delivery:
The First National Bank of Chicago
c/o First Chicago Trust Company of New York
14 Wall Street
8th Floor, Window 2
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Department
Confirm by Telephone:
(212) 240-8801
Facsimile Transmissions:
(for Eligible Institutions Only)
(212) 240-8938
Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than as
set forth above, or transmission of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery via
facsimile other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid delivery.
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee
signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be
guaranteed by an "Eligible Institution" under the instructions thereto, such
signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the
signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.
<PAGE> 2
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Prospectus dated , 1998 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), and the related Letter of
Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus constitute the "Exchange
Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount
of Old Notes set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for
Tendering Old Notes."
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Aggregate Principal Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Amount Tendered: $ *
Certificate No(s). Address(es):
(if available):
Total Principal Amount Represented by
Old Notes Certificate(s): $
If Old Notes will be tendered by book-entry Signature(s):
transfer, provide the following information:
DTC Account Number:
Date:
Area Code and Telephone Number(s):
Account Number
------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Must be in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and any integral
multiples thereof.
2
<PAGE> 3
ALL AUTHORITY HEREIN CONFERRED OR AGREED TO BE CONFERRED SHALL SURVIVE THE
DEATH OR INCAPACITY OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND EVERY OBLIGATION OF THE UNDERSIGNED
HEREUNDER SHALL BE BINDING UPON THE HEIRS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS OF THE UNDERSIGNED.
PLEASE SIGN HERE
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
X
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Signature(s) of Owner(s) or Authorized Signatory Date
</TABLE>
Area Code and Telephone Number:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Old Notes as their name(s) appear(s)
on certificates for Old Notes or on a security position listing, or by person(s)
authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsement and documents
transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If signature is by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other
person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set
forth his or her full title below.
PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Name(s): ------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity: ------------------------------------------------------------
Address(es): ------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED
3
<PAGE> 4
GUARANTEE
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor
institution," including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a
broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer,
government securities broker, government securities dealer, (iii) a credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
learning agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing being
referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to deliver to the
Exchange Agent, at its address set forth above, either the Old Notes tendered
hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the book-entry transfer
of such Old Notes to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depositary Trust
Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in
the Prospectus, in either case together with one or more properly completed and
duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other
required documents within three (3) Nasdaq Stock Market trading days after the
date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of
Transmittal and the Old Notes tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent within the
time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in a
financial loss to the undersigned.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
NAME OF FIRM AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
ADDRESS TITLE
- -------------------------------------------- Name:
--------------------------------------------
ZIP CODE (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
Area Code and Tel. No.
------------------------ Dated:
-------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NOTE: DO NOT SEND OLD NOTES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. ACTUAL
SURRENDER OF OLD NOTES MUST BE MADE PURSUANT TO, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A
PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
4
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.3
August , 1998
EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT
(THE "AGREEMENT")
The First National Bank of Chicago
One North State Street, 9th Floor, Suite 0126
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
make an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange up to $75,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its 6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due April 1, 2003 (the
"Exchange Notes"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, pursuant to a Registration Statement, for a like principal amount of
its outstanding 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003 (the "Old Notes"). The
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, as currently contemplated are set
forth in a prospectus, dated , 1998 (the "Prospectus"), proposed
to be distributed to all record holders of the Old Notes. The Old Notes and the
Exchange Notes collectively are referred to herein as the "Notes" or the
"Securities."
The Company hereby appoints The First National Bank of Chicago to act as
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange Offer.
References hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The First National Bank of
Chicago.
The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Company on or about
, 1998. The Letter of Transmittal accompanying the Prospectus is to
be used by the holders of the Old Notes to accept the Exchange Offer, and
contains instructions with respect to the delivery of certificates for Old Notes
tendered.
The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
, 1998 or on such later date or time to which the Company may extend
the Exchange Offer (the "Expiration Date"). Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Prospectus, the Company expressly reserves the right to extend
the Exchange Offer from time to time and may extend the Exchange Offer by given
oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice to you before 9:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the business day following the previously scheduled Expiration
Date.
The Company expressly reserves the right to delay, amend or terminate the
Exchange Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Notes not theretofore
accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the
Exchange Offer specified in the Prospectus under the captions "The Exchange
Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer" and "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
The Company will give to you as promptly as practicable oral (confirmed in
writing) or written notice of any delay, amendment, termination or
nonacceptance.
In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent, you are to act in accordance
with the following instructions:
1. You will perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth herein and such duties which are necessarily
incidental thereto.
2. You will establish an account with respect to the Old Notes at The
Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") for purposes
of the Exchange Offer within two (2) business days after the date of the
Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of the
Old Notes by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old
Notes into your account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's procedure for such transfer.
<PAGE> 2
3. You are to examine each of the Letters of Transmittal and
certificates for Old Notes (or confirmation of book-entry transfer into
your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) and any other documents
delivered or mailed to you by or for holders of the Old Notes to ascertain
whether: (i) the Letters of Transmittal and any such other documents are
duly executed and properly completed in accordance with instructions set
forth therein and (ii) the Old Notes have otherwise been properly tendered.
In each case where the Letter of Transmittal or any other document has been
improperly completed or executed or any of the certificates for Old Notes
are not in proper form for transfer or some other irregularity in
connection with the acceptance of the Exchange Offer exists you will
endeavor to inform the presenters of the need for fulfillment of all
requirements and to take any other action as may be necessary or advisable
to cause such irregularity to be corrected.
4. With the approval of the Chairman of the Board or the Vice
President and Treasurer of the Company (such approval, if given orally,
promptly to be confirmed in writing) or any other party designated by such
officer in writing, you are authorized to waive any irregularities in
connection with any tender of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
5. Tenders of Old Notes may be made only as set forth in the Letter of
Transmittal and Old Notes shall be considered properly tendered to you only
when tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth therein.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph 5 above, Old Notes which
the Chairman of the Board or the Vice President and Treasurer of the Company or
any other party designated by any such officer in writing shall approve as
having been properly tendered shall be considered to be properly tendered (such
approval, if given orally, promptly shall be confirmed in writing).
6. You shall advise the Company with respect to any Old Notes
delivered subsequent to the Expiration Date and accept its instructions
with respect to disposition of such Old Notes.
7. You shall accept tenders:
(a) in cases where the Old Notes are registered in two (2) or more
names only if signed by all named holders; and
(b) in cases where the signing person (as indicated on the Letter
of Transmittal) is acting in a fiduciary or a representative capacity
only when proper evidence of his or her authority so to act is
submitted; and
(c) from persons other than the registered holder of Old Notes
provided that customary transfer requirements, including any applicable
transfer taxes, are fulfilled.
You shall accept partial tenders of Old Notes where so indicated and as
permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates for Old Notes to
the transfer agent for split-up and return any indentured Old Notes to the
holder (or such other person as may be designated in the Letter of Transmittal)
as promptly as practicable after expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offer.
8. Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the
Exchange Offer, the Company will notify you (such notice if given orally,
promptly to be confirmed in writing) of its acceptance, promptly after the
Expiration Date, of all Old Notes properly tendered and you, on behalf of
the Company, will exchange such Old Notes for Exchange Notes and cause such
Old Notes to be cancelled. Delivery of Exchange Notes will be made on
behalf of the Company by you at the rate of $1,000 principal amount of
Exchange Notes for each $1,000 principal amount of the Old Notes tendered
promptly after notice (such notice if given orally, promptly to be
confirmed in writing) of acceptance of said Old Notes by the Company;
provided, however, that in all cases, Old Notes tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be exchanged only after timely receipt by you of
certificates for such Old Notes (or confirmation of book-entry transfer
into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof)
with any required signature guarantees and any other required document. You
shall issue Exchange Notes only in aggregate principal amounts of $1,000 or
any integral multiple thereof.
2
<PAGE> 3
9. Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except
that, subject to the terms and upon the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, Old Notes tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration
Date.
10. The Company shall not be required to exchange any Old Notes
tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are not
met. Notice of any decision by the Company not to exchange any Old Notes
tendered shall be given (such notices if given orally, promptly shall be
confirmed in writing) by the Company to you.
11. If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company does not accept
for exchange all or part of the Old Notes tendered because of an invalid
tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the Prospectus
under the captions "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer" and
"-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or otherwise, you shall as soon as
practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer
return those certificates for unaccepted Old Notes (or effect appropriate
book-entry transfer), together with any related required documents and the
Letters of Transmittal relating thereto that are in your possession, to the
persons who deposited them.
12. All certificates for reissued Old Notes, unaccepted Old Notes or
for Exchange Notes shall be forwarded by (a) first-class mail, postage
pre-paid under a blanket surety bond protecting you and the Company from
loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of such
certificates or (b) by registered mail insured separately for the
replacement value of each of such certificates.
13. You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any concessions,
commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, bank or other
persons or to engage or utilize any persons to solicit tenders.
14. As Exchange Agent hereunder you:
(a) will be regarded as making no representations and having no
responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness
of any of the certificates or the Old Notes represented thereby
deposited with you pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and will not be
required to and will make no representation as to the validity, value or
genuineness of the Exchange Offer or as to the accuracy or completeness
of the Prospectus; provided, however, that in no way will your general
duty to ask in good faith be discharged by the foregoing;
(b) shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder which
might in your reasonable judgment involve any expense or liability,
unless you shall have been furnished with reasonable indemnity;
(c) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or
omitted by you, or any action suffered by you to be taken or omitted,
without negligence, misconduct or bad faith on your part, by reason of
or as a result of the administration of your duties hereunder in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or by reason
of your compliance with the instructions set forth herein or with any
written or oral instructions delivered to you pursuant hereto, and may
reasonably rely on and shall be protected in acting in good faith in
reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter,
facsimile or other document or security delivered to you and reasonably
believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper
party or parties;
(d) may reasonably act upon any tender, statement, request,
comment, agreement or other instrument whatsoever not only as to its due
execution and validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as
to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which
you shall in good faith reasonably believe to be genuine or to have been
signed or represented by a proper person or persons;
(e) may rely on and shall be protected in acting upon written
notice or oral instructions from any officer of the Company with respect
to the Exchange Offer;
3
<PAGE> 4
(f) shall not advise any person tendering Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer as to the wisdom of making such tender or as to the
market value or decline or appreciation in market value of any Old
Notes;
(g) may consult with counsel and the written advice or opinion of
such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by you hereunder in
good faith and in reliance thereon.
15. You shall send to all holders of Old Notes a copy of the
Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
as defined in the Prospectus, and such other documents (collectively, the
"Exchange Offer Documents") as may be furnished by the Company to commence
the Exchange Offer and take such other action as may from time to time be
requested by the Company or its counsel (and such other action as you may
reasonably deem appropriate) to furnish copies of the Exchange Offer
Documents or such other forms as may be approved from time to time by the
Company, to all holders of Old Notes and to all persons requesting such
documents and to accept and comply with telephone requests for information
relating to the Exchange Offer, provided that such information shall relate
only to the procedures for accepting (or withdrawing from) the Exchange
Offer. The Company will furnish you with copies of such documents at your
request. All other requests for information relating to the Exchange Offer
shall be directed to: Trenwick Group Inc., Metro Center, One Station Place,
Stamford, Connecticut 06902, Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer, Vice President
-- Legal Affairs and Secretary. Telephone requests may be directed to
(203) 353-5500.
16. You shall advise by facsimile transmission or telephone, and
promptly thereafter confirm in writing to Jane T. Wiznitzer of the Company,
and such other person or persons as the Company may request in writing, not
later than 7:00 p.m., New York City time, each business day, and more
frequently if reasonably requested, up to and including the Expiration
Date, as to the number of Old Notes which have been tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and the items received by you pursuant to this
Agreement, separately reporting and giving cumulative totals as to items
properly received and items improperly received. In addition, you will also
inform, and cooperate in making available to, the Company or any such other
person or persons as the Company requests in writing from time to time
prior to the Expiration Date such other information as it reasonably
requests. Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, the granting
by you to the Company and such person as the Company may request of access
to those persons on your staff who are responsible for receiving tenders,
in order to ensure that immediately prior to the Expiration Date the
Company shall have received information in sufficient detail to enable it
to decide whether to extend the Exchange Offer. You shall prepare a final
list of all persons whose tenders were accepted, the aggregate principal
amount of Old Notes tendered and the aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes accepted and deliver said list to the Company.
17. Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery shall be
stamped by you as to the date and the time of receipt thereof and shall be
preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to the period of time
you customarily preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of
securities. You shall dispose of unused Letters of Transmittal and other
surplus materials in accordance with your customary procedures.
18. You hereby expressly waive any lien, encumbrance or right of
set-off whatsoever that you may have with respect to funds deposited with
you for the payment of transfer taxes by reasons of amounts, if any,
borrowed by the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates pursuant
to any loan or credit agreement with you or for compensation owed to you
hereunder.
19. For services rendered as Exchange Agent hereunder you shall be
entitled to such compensation and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
as set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
20. You hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus, the Letter of
Transmittal and the other documents associated with the Exchange Offer
attached hereto and further acknowledge that you have examined each of
them. Any inconsistency between this Agreement, on the one hand, and the
Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and such other forms (as they may be
amended from time to time),
4
<PAGE> 5
\on the other hand, shall be resolved in favor of the latter two documents,
except with respect to the duties, liabilities and indemnification of you
as Exchange Agent which shall be controlled by this Agreement.
21. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold you harmless in your
capacity as Exchange Agent hereunder against any liability, cost or
expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of
or in connection with your appointment as Exchange Agent and the
performance of your duties hereunder, including, without limitation, any
act, omission, delay or refusal made by you in reasonable reliance upon any
signature, endorsement, assignment, certificate, order, request, notice,
instruction or other instrument or document reasonably believed by you to
be valid, genuine and sufficient and in accepting any tender or effecting
any transfer of Old Notes reasonably believed by you in good faith to be
authorized, and in delaying or refusing in good faith to accept any tenders
or effect any transfer of Old Notes; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be liable for indemnification or otherwise for any loss,
liability, cost or expense to the extent arising out of your negligence,
willful misconduct or bad faith.
22. You shall deliver or cause to be delivered, in a timely manner,
to each governmental authority to which any transfer taxes are payable in
respect of the exchange of Old Notes your check in the amount of all
transfer taxes so payable, and the Company shall reimburse you for the
amount of any and all transfer taxes payable in respect of the exchange of
Old Notes; provided, however, that you shall reimburse the Company for
amounts refunded to you in respect of your payment of any such transfer
taxes, at such time as such refund is received by you.
23. This Agreement and your appointment as Exchange Agent hereunder
shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within
such state, and without regard to conflicts of law principles, and shall
insure to the benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be
binding upon, the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.
24. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
25. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
26. This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a
written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party
to be charged. This Agreement may not be modified orally.
27. Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests and other
communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including
facsimile) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, as its
address or telecopy number set forth below:
If to the Company:
Trenwick Group Inc.
Metro Center
One Station Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Facsimile: (203) 353-5544
Attention: Jane T. Wiznitzer
5
<PAGE> 6
If to the Exchange Agent:
The First National Bank of Chicago
One North State Street, 9th Floor, Suite 0126
Chicago, Illinois 60602
28. Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this Agreement
shall terminate ninety (90) days follow the Expiration Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Paragraphs 18, 19 and 21 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement. Upon any termination of this Agreement, you
shall promptly deliver to the Company any certificates for Old Notes, funds
or property (including, without limitation, Letters of Transmittal and any
other documents relating to the Exchange Offer) then held by you as
Exchange Agent under this Agreement.
29. This Agreement shall be binding and effective as of the date
hereof.
Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and confirm the arrangements
herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By:
------------------------------------
James F. Billett, Jr.
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Accepted as the date
first above written:
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
6
<PAGE> 7
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
EXCHANGE AGENCY
FEE SCHEDULE
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
U.S. Dollars)
Flat Fee.................................................... ($ .00
</TABLE>
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
Fees quoted do not include out-of-pocket expenses including, but not
limited to, reasonable legal fees and expenses, facsimile, stationary, postage,
telephone, overnight courier and messenger costs, all of which shall be paid by
the Company.
7
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.4
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
Offer for all Outstanding
6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003
in Exchange for
6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due April 1, 2003,
which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
To: Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
Trenwick Group Inc. (the "Issuer") is offering, upon and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus dated , 1998
(the "Prospectus"), and the enclosed letter of transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") its 6.70% Senior Exchange
Notes due April 1, 2003, which have been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, for its outstanding 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003 (the
"Old Notes"). The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain
obligations of the Issuer contained in the registration rights agreement in
respect of the Old Notes, dated as of March 27, 1998, between the Issuer and the
initial purchaser referred to therein.
We are requesting that you contact your clients for whom you hold Old Notes
regarding the Exchange Offer. For your information and for forwarding to your
clients for whom you hold Old Notes registered in your name or in the name of
your nominee, or who hold Old Notes registered in their own names, we are
enclosing the following documents:
1. Prospectus dated , 1998;
2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information of
your clients;
3. A Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Exchange
Offer if certificates for Old Notes are not immediately available or time
will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent prior to
the Expiration Date (as defined below) or if the procedure for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis;
4. A form of letter which may be sent to your clients for whose
account you hold Old Notes registered in your name or the name of your
nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients' instructions with
regard to the Exchange Offer;
5. Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9; and
6. Return envelopes addressed to The First National Bank of Chicago,
the Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer.
YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00
P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE
ISSUER (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). OLD NOTES TENDERED PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
To participate in the Exchange Offer, a duly executed and properly
completed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu
thereof), with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents, should be sent to the Exchange Agent and certificates representing
the Old Notes, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old
Notes, should be delivered to the Exchange Agent, all in accordance with the
instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and the Prospectus.
If a registered holder of Old Notes desires to tender, but such Old Notes
are not immediately available, or time will not permit such holder's Old Notes
or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent before the Expiration
Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis, a tender may be effected by following the guaranteed delivery procedures
described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery."
<PAGE> 2
The Issuer will, upon request, reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks
and trust companies for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by
them in forwarding the Prospectus and the related documents to the beneficial
owners of Old Notes held by them as nominee or in a fiduciary capacity. The
Issuer will not make any payments to brokers, dealers, or others soliciting
acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The holders will not be obligated to pay or
cause to be paid all stock transfer taxes applicable to the exchange of Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Exchange Offer, or requests
for additional copies of the enclosed materials, should be directed to The First
National Bank of Chicago, the Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer, at its
address and telephone number set forth on the front of the Letter of
Transmittal.
Very truly yours,
Trenwick Group Inc.
NOTHING HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY
PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE ISSUER OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY
OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENTS ON BEHALF OF EITHER OF
THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, EXCEPT FOR STATEMENTS EXPRESSLY MADE IN
THE PROSPECTUS OR THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Enclosures
2
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.5
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
Offer for all Outstanding
6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003
in Exchange for
6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due April 1, 2003,
which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration is a prospectus dated , 1998
(the "Prospectus"), and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), relating to the offer (the "Exchange Offer") of Trenwick Group
Inc. (the "Issuer") to exchange its 6.70% Senior Exchange Notes due April 1,
2003, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Exchange Notes"), for its outstanding 6.70% Senior Notes due April 1, 2003
(the "Old Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. The Exchange Offer is being made in
order to satisfy certain obligations of the Issuer contained in the registration
rights agreement in respect of the Old Notes, dated as of March 27, 1998,
between the Issuer and the initial purchaser referred to therein.
This material is being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of the Old
Notes held by us for your account but not registered in your name. A TENDER OF
SUCH OLD NOTES MAY ONLY BE MADE BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO
YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.
Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender on
your behalf the Old Notes held by us for your account, pursuant to the terms and
conditions set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal.
Your instructions should be forwarded to us as promptly as possible in
order to permit us to tender the Old Notes on your behalf in accordance with the
provisions of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on , 1998 unless extended by the Issuer. Any Old
Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time
before the Expiration Date.
Your attention is directed to the following:
1. The Exchange Offer is for any and all Old Notes.
2. The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in
the Prospectus in the section captioned "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions
to the Exchange Offer."
3. Subject to the Letter of Transmittal, any transfer taxes incident
to the transfer of Old Notes from the holder to the Issuer will be paid by
the Issuer.
4. The Exchange Offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
1998, unless extended by the Issuer.
If you wish to have us tender your Old Notes, please so instruct us by
completing, executing and returning to us the instruction form on the back of
this letter. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR INFORMATION ONLY
AND MAY NOT BE USED DIRECTLY BY YOU TO TENDER OLD NOTES.
<PAGE> 2
INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed
material referred to therein relating to the Exchange Offer made by Trenwick
Group Inc. with respect to its Old Notes.
This will instruct you to tender the Old Notes held by you for the account
of the undersigned, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal.
Please tender the Old Notes held by you for my account as indicated below:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD NOTES
6.70% Old Senior Notes due April 1, 2003
[ ] Please do not tender any Old Notes held by you for
my account.
Dated: ____________________, 1998 --------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S)
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) HERE
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
ADDRESS(ES)
--------------------------------------------------------
AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
--------------------------------------------------------
TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO(S).
</TABLE>
None of the Old Notes held by us for your account will be tendered unless
we receive written instructions from you to do so. Unless a specific contrary
instruction is given in the space provided, your signature(s) hereon shall
constitute an instruction to us to tender all the Old Notes held by us for your
account.
