<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 16, 2000
REGISTRATION NO. 333-________________
==============================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
----------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------
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BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
OHIO 6712 31-1294136
(State or other jurisdiction of ----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
incorporation or organization) (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Trust Charter)
DELAWARE 6719 51-6515321
(State or other jurisdiction of ----------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
incorporation or organization) (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
(740) 452-8444
(Address and telephone number of registrant's principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
Gary N. Fields, President
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
(740) 452-8444
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies to:
Amy M. Shepherd
Baker & Hostetler LLP
65 East State Street, Suite 2100
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: (614) 462-4712 Facsimile (614) 462-2616
----------------
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection
with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General
Instruction G, check the following box: [ ]
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(c) 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
================================================================================
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- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) PER SHARE OFFERING PRICE (2) FEE (2)
- --------------------------- ------------- --------- ------------------ -------
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Exchange Capital Securities of BFOH Capital
Trust I........................................... $20,000,000 100% $20,000,000 $5,280
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures of BancFirst Ohio
Corp.............................................. $20,000,000 100% $20,000,000 N/A
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
BancFirst Ohio Corp. Guarantee with respect to
Exchange Capital Securities (2)................... N/A N/A N/A N/A
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Total............................................. $20,000,000 100% $20,000,000 $5,280
- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
(2) No separate consideration will be received for the Exchange Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of BancFirst Ohio Corp. (the
"Junior Subordinated Debentures") distributed upon any liquidation of BFOH
Capital Trust I in exchange for the 9.875% Exchange Capital Securities (the
"Exchange Capital Securities"). No separate consideration will be received
for the BancFirst Ohio Corp. Guarantee.
----------------
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 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE> 2
PROSPECTUS
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION FEBRUARY 16, 2000
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL
9.875% ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR 9.875% EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, BY
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 PM
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON [ ], 2000, UNLESS EXTENDED
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER:
We will exchange all outstanding original capital securities that are
validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the
exchange offer. Our outstanding original capital securities were originally
issued on October 18, 1999.
The exchange capital securities will be substantially identical to the
original capital securities, except for transfer restrictions and registration
rights relating to the original capital securities.
You may withdraw tendered outstanding original capital securities at
any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
The exchange of outstanding original capital securities will not be a
taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.
There is no existing market for the exchange capital securities to be
issued, and we do not intend to apply for their listing on any securities
exchange.
See the section entitled "Description of Capital Securities" that
begins on page 39 for more information about the capital securities and
guarantee to be issued in this exchange offer.
THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS"
THAT BEGINS ON PAGE 14 FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE RISKS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
PRIOR TO TENDERING YOUR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR EXCHANGE.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
This prospectus is dated [ ], 2000.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION.............................................................................................2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE...................................................................3
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS........................................................................................4
SUMMARY...........................................................................................................5
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT EXCHANGING YOUR...............................................................................7
OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES....................................................................................7
CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING YOUR...................................................................................8
OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES....................................................................................8
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW SECURITIES.........................................................................8
SUMMARY SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA.....................................................................12
RISK FACTORS.....................................................................................................14
USE OF PROCEEDS..................................................................................................23
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT.............................................................................................23
CAPITALIZATION...................................................................................................24
PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL.....................................................................................24
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP..............................................................................................26
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION.......................................................................................28
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I.............................................................................................29
THE EXCHANGE OFFER...............................................................................................30
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES................................................................................39
DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES....................................................................50
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE.........................................................................................64
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE...................................................................67
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE.................................................................67
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES..........................................................................69
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS.............................................................................................74
EXCHANGE OFFER; REGISTRATION RIGHTS..............................................................................76
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.............................................................................................80
LEGAL MATTERS....................................................................................................81
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS..........................................................................................81
</TABLE>
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, we file 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. You may also obtain copies of such material 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, you may also
access such information through the Commission's electronic data gathering,
analysis and retrieval system, commonly referred to as EDGAR, via electronic
means, including the Commission's home page on the Internet
(http://www.sec.gov). Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "BFOH." You may inspect the reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning us at the offices of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006.
No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included in
this prospectus and no separate financial statements will be prepared in the
future. We do not consider that such financial statements would be material to
holders of the securities offered by this prospectus because the Trust is a
newly-formed special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent
operations, is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity
other than holding as trust assets our junior subordinated debentures, issuing
the capital and common securities and engaging in incidental activities. The
obligations of the Trust under the capital securities are fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by us to the extent the Trust has funds available to
meet such obligations. We do not expect that the Trust will file reports, proxy
statements and other information under the Exchange Act with the Commission.
This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form
S-4 filed by us and the Trust with the Commission under the Securities Act. This
prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration
statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. We are referring you to the registration
statement and to the exhibits for further information with respect to us, the
Trust and the exchange securities. The statements contained in this prospectus
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, we refer you 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 that we have filed with the Commission are
incorporated into this prospectus by reference:
- BancFirst Ohio's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998.
- BancFirst Ohio's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 1999, June 30, 1999 and September 30, 1999.
- BancFirst Ohio's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2000.
All documents subsequently filed by BancFirst Ohio pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus
and prior to the termination of the offering of the capital securities offered
by this prospectus 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 in this prospectus 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 in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is
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<PAGE> 5
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. You may
obtain a copy of our filings with the Commission at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
BancFirst Ohio Corp.
Attention: Secretary
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43702
(740) 452-8444
When we refer to this prospectus, we mean not only this prospectus but
also any documents which are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated in this
prospectus by reference. You should rely only on the information incorporated by
reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement. We have not
authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. This
prospectus is used to offer and sell the capital securities referred to in this
prospectus, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful
to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of the
date of this prospectus.
As used in this prospectus, "we" and "us" and "our" refer to BancFirst
Ohio Corp., or BancFirst Ohio Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including
The First National Bank of Zanesville, depending on the context.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information presented or incorporated by reference into
this prospectus contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Sentences containing words
such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "should,"
"projected" or "contemplates" or similar words may constitute forward-looking
statements. Although we believe that the expectations expressed in these
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds
of our knowledge of our business and operations, it is possible that actual
results may differ materially from these expectations. We have used these
statements to describe our expectations and estimates in various areas,
including:
- changes in the economy of the markets in which we operate;
- interest-rate movements;
- timely development of technology enhancements for our products and
Year 2000 operating systems;
- changes in the Small Business Administration's ("SBA") lending
program;
- the impact of competitive products, services and pricing; and
- legislative, regulatory and accounting changes affecting the banking
and financial services industry.
Our actual results could vary materially from the future results
covered in our forward-looking statements. The statements in the "Risk Factors"
section are cautionary statements identifying important factors, including
certain risks and uncertainties, that could cause our results to vary materially
from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements. Other
factors, such as the general state of the United States economy, could also
cause actual results to vary materially from the future results covered in such
forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to announce publicly
future events or developments that affect the forward-looking statements in this
prospectus.
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SUMMARY
The following summary contains the basic information about this exchange offer.
It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you in
deciding whether to exchange your old securities for new securities. We
encourage you to read the prospectus in its entirety.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
We are a registered bank holding company, organized under the laws of
the State of Ohio. We conduct a full-service commercial and retail banking
business through our wholly-owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of
Zanesville. Effective May 16, 1998, we merged our two other banking
subsidiaries, Bellbrook Community Bank and County Savings Bank, with First
National under its national bank charter. In April 1999, we also acquired
Chornyak & Associates, Inc., a full service financial planning company.
We are headquartered in Zanesville, Ohio, the county seat of Muskingum
County. Through First National, we operate 22 full-service banking facilities
which serve Muskingum, Licking, Franklin and Greene Counties of Ohio. Our
primary market extends along Interstate 70 in central Ohio and includes the
areas of Zanesville, Newark, Columbus, and Dayton. Our principal executive
office is located at 422 Main Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43702. Our telephone
number is (740) 452-8444.
Our focus is on providing personalized, high quality and comprehensive
banking services in order to develop and maintain long-term relationships with
our customers. We offer a range of banking services, including:
- commercial and commercial real estate loans;
- SBA loans;
- residential real estate loans;
- consumer loans;
- personal and business checking accounts;
- savings accounts;
- demand and time deposits;
- safe deposit services; and
- trust, private banking, financial planning and investment services.
At September 30, 1999, on a consolidated basis, we had total assets of
$1.2 billion, total liabilities of $1.2 billion, which included total deposits
of $789.3 million, total loans of $830.2 million, and total stockholders' equity
of $83.6 million.
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BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
BFOH Capital Trust I is a statutory business trust created under
Delaware law upon the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware
Secretary of State. The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by the
property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the three individual administrative
trustees, who are officers of BancFirst Ohio. The Trust exists for the exclusive
purposes of:
- issuing and selling the capital securities discussed below;
- using the proceeds from the sale of the original capital securities
to acquire the junior subordinated debentures issued by BancFirst
Ohio; and
- engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or
incidental to the above.
Accordingly, the junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of the
Trust, and payments under the junior subordinated debentures will be the sole
revenues of the Trust.
All of the common securities of the Trust are owned by BancFirst Ohio.
THE EXCHANGE OFFERING
On October 18, 1999, we privately placed $20.0 million aggregate
liquidation amount of 9.875% Capital Securities, Series A, of BFOH Capital Trust
I. We provided a guarantee for the capital securities, as described in this
prospectus. In connection with the offering, we entered into a registration
rights agreement on October 18, 1999 with the initial purchaser.
Under that registration rights agreement, we must use our reasonable
best efforts to complete this exchange offer within 30 days after the effective
date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, which
effective date must occur on or prior to April 15, 2000. If we do not complete
this exchange offer before that date, we must pay liquidated damages until the
exchange offer is completed. In this exchange offer, you may exchange your
outstanding capital securities for our 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B, to
be issued in the exchange offer which have substantially the same terms. You
should read the discussion under the heading "The Exchange Offer" and
"Description of the Securities" for further information regarding the exchange
capital securities to be issued in the exchange offer.
SECURITIES OFFERED.............. $20.0 million in liquidation amount of new
9.875% Capital Securities, Series B, of BFOH
Capital Trust I, which have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933.
The terms of the exchange capital securities
offered in the exchange offer are
substantially identical to those of the
outstanding capital securities, except that
certain transfer restrictions, registration
rights and liquidated damages provisions
relating to the outstanding capital
securities do not apply to the new
registered capital securities.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER.............. We are offering to issue registered exchange
capital securities for a like amount of our
outstanding capital securities. We are
offering to issue these registered exchange
capital securities and to satisfy our
obligations under the registration rights
agreement with the initial purchaser. You
may tender your outstanding capital
securities for exchange by following the
procedures described under the heading "The
Exchange Offer."
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TENDERS; EXPIRATION
DATE; WITHDRAWAL.................... The exchange offer will expire at 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on [ ], 2000
unless we extend it. If you decide to
exchange your old securities for new
securities, you must acknowledge that you
are not engaging in, and do not intend to
engage in, a distribution of the new
securities. You may withdraw your tender
of old securities at any time before [ ],
2000. If we decide for any reason not to
accept your capital securities for
exchange, we will return them to you
promptly and without expense after the
exchange offer expires or terminates.
CONDITIONS TO THE
EXCHANGE OFFER...................... We are not required to accept any old
securities in exchange for new securities.
We may terminate or amend the exchange
offer if we determine that the exchange
offer violates applicable law or any
applicable SEC interpretation.
FEDERAL TAX
CONSEQUENCES........................ The exchange of outstanding capital
securities for new capital securities
under the exchange offer will not result
in any gain or loss to you for federal
income tax purposes.
USE OF PROCEEDS..................... We will not receive any proceeds from the
exchange offer.
ACCRUED INTEREST.................... The new securities will bear interest from
October 18, 1999, the date the old
securities were originally issued. No
interest will be paid on the old
securities following their acceptance for
exchange. See "Description of the
Securities."
EXCHANGE AGENT...................... Wilmington Trust Company, as property
trustee, is the exchange agent for the
exchange offer. The address and telephone
number of the exchange agent are set forth
under the heading "The Exchange Offer - -
Exchange Agent."
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT EXCHANGING YOUR
OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES
If you do not exchange your outstanding capital securities in the
exchange offer, they will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer
that are described in the legend on the capital securities. In general, you may
offer or sell your outstanding capital securities only if they are registered
under, or offered or sold under an exemption from, the Securities Act of 1933,
and applicable state securities laws.
If outstanding capital securities are tendered and accepted in the
exchange offer, it may become more difficult for you to sell or transfer your
unexchanged capital securities. In addition, if you do not exchange your
outstanding capital securities in the exchange offer, you will no longer be
entitled to have those capital securities registered under the Securities Act,
except in limited circumstances with respect to specific types of holders of
outstanding capital securities. See "The Exchange Offer - - Consequences of
Failure to Exchange Outstanding Securities."
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CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING YOUR
OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES
Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, we believe that you
may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the new securities that we
issue in the exchange offer without complying with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act if:
- you acquire the new securities issued in the exchange offer in the
ordinary course of business;
- you are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no
arrangement or undertaking with anyone to participate, in the
distribution of the new securities issued to you in the exchange
offer; and
- you are not an "affiliate" of BancFirst Ohio Corp., as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
If any of these conditions are not satisfied and you transfer any new
securities issued to you in the exchange offer without delivering a proper
prospectus or without qualifying for a registration exemption, you may incur
liability under the Securities Act. We will not be responsible for or indemnify
you against any liability you may incur.
Any broker-dealer that acquires new securities in the exchange offer
for its own account in exchange for old securities, which it acquired through
market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver
a prospectus when it resells or transfer any new securities issued in the
exchange offer. See "Plan of Distribution."
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW SECURITIES
The form and terms of the new securities to be issued in the exchange
are the same as the form and terms of the old securities except that the new
securities to be issued in the exchange offer have been registered under the
Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer
and will not contain the registration rights and liquidated damages provisions
contained in the old securities. The new securities will evidence the same
beneficial ownership interests as the old securities and both the new capital
securities and the old capital securities are governed by the same Trust
Agreement.
The following is a brief summary of select terms of the new securities.
For a more complete description of the terms of the new securities, see
"Description of the Capital Securities."
OUTSTANDING SECURITIES.............. $20,000,000 of 9.875% Capital Securities,
Series A (liquidation amount $1,000 per
capital security).
DISTRIBUTIONS....................... You are entitled to receive cumulative
cash distributions at the annual rate of
9.875% of the liquidation amount of $1,000
per capital security. Distributions
accumulate from October 18, 1999 and will
be paid semi-annually in arrears on April
15 and October 15 of each year beginning
on April 15, 2000. The amount of each
distribution will include amounts accrued
up to the date the distribution is due.
DEFERRAL PERIODS.................... So long as no event of default under the
junior subordinated debentures has
occurred and is continuing, we have the
right, at one or more
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times, to defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures for up to
10 consecutive semi-annual periods, which
deferral will end on an interest payment
date, but not beyond October 15, 2029, the
stated maturity date of the junior
subordinated debentures.
If we defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures, the Trust
will also defer distributions on the
capital securities. During this deferral
period, the junior subordinated debentures
will continue to accrue interest and the
capital securities will continue to
accumulate distributions. During a
deferral period you will also accumulate
additional distributions at the annual
rate of 9.875% on any accrued and unpaid
distributions, to the extent permitted by
law. If the Trust defers your
distributions, you will still be required
to accrue interest income and include it
in your gross income for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, even if you are a
cash basis taxpayer.
RANKING............................. Our obligations under the junior
subordinated debentures are unsecured and
subordinated to payment of our senior and
subordinated debt, to the extent and in
the manner set forth in the indenture, and
will be effectively subordinated to all of
the existing and future liabilities and
obligations of our subsidiaries, including
First National's deposit liabilities. At
September 30, 1999, we had senior debt
outstanding totaling $6.25 million.
GUARANTEE........................... We have, on a subordinated basis, fully,
irrevocably and unconditionally
guaranteed:
- payment of distributions on the
capital securities;
- payments on liquidation of the Trust;
and
- payments on maturity or earlier
redemption of the capital securities.
If we do not make a payment on the junior
subordinated debentures, the Trust will
not have sufficient funds to make payments
on the capital securities. Our guarantee
does not assure the payment of
distributions when the Trust does not have
sufficient funds to pay the distributions.
Our obligations under the guarantee are
unsecured and are subordinated and junior
to the payment of our senior and
subordinated debt and will be effectively
subordinated to all of the existing and
future liabilities and obligations of our
subsidiaries.
DISTRIBUTION OF JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.......... At any time, we have the right, subject
to receipt of any required regulatory
approval, to liquidate the Trust and cause
the junior subordinated debentures to be
distributed to holders of capital
securities and common securities in
liquidation of the Trust. The junior
subordinated debentures will have the
identical terms and conditions as the
capital securities.
If we elect to liquidate the Trust and
thereby cause the junior subordinated
debentures to be distributed to holders of
the capital
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<PAGE> 11
securities, we will have the same rights,
subject to the receipt of any required
regulatory approval, to redeem such junior
subordinated debentures as if the junior
subordinated debentures were held by the
Trust.
In the event of the involuntary or
voluntary liquidation, dissolution,
winding up or termination of the Trust in
which the junior subordinated debentures
are not distributed to you, then you, as
the holders of the capital securities,
will be entitled to receive for each
capital security a liquidation amount of
$1,000 plus accrued and unpaid
distributions thereon (including interest
thereon) to the date of payment. The Trust
will be able to make this distribution in
cash only if the junior subordinated
debentures are redeemed by us. For more
information, please refer to "Description
of Capital Securities - Liquidation of
Trust and Distribution of Junior
Subordinated Debentures."
MATURITY AND REDEMPTION............. The junior subordinated debentures mature
on October 15, 2029, which date may be
shortened to a date not earlier than
October 15, 2009 if certain conditions are
met. The Trust will redeem the capital
securities when we pay the junior
subordinated debentures at maturity or
redeem the capital securities at a
distribution date on or after October 15,
2009.
Our ability to redeem some or all of the
junior subordinated debentures on or after
October 15, 2009, is subject to certain
conditions. In addition, we may redeem the
junior subordinated debentures at our
option, in whole but not in part:
- if certain tax events occur;
- if there is a change in the way the
junior subordinated debentures are
treated for regulatory capital
purposes; or
- if there is a change in the Investment
Company Act of 1940 that requires the
Trust to register under that law.
We may have to obtain regulatory
approvals, including the approval of the
Federal Reserve Board, before we redeem
any junior subordinated debentures prior
to maturity. If we redeem the junior
subordinated debentures, you will receive
the liquidation amount of $1,000 per
capital security plus any accrued and
unpaid distributions to the date of
redemption.
ABSENCE OF MARKET FOR THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES.............. The capital securities are a new issue of
securities for which currently there is no
market. Although the initial purchaser
intends to make a market in the capital
securities and the exchange capital
securities, the initial purchaser is not
obligated to do so, and any such market
making may be discontinued at any time
without notice. We do not intend to seek a
listing of the capital securities or the
exchange capital securities, on any
national securities exchange or on the
Nasdaq Stock Market. The capital
securities are eligible for quotation on
the Private Offering, Resales and Trading
through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL")
System of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
10
<PAGE> 12
USE OF PROCEEDS..................... All of the proceeds from the sale by the
Trust of its original capital securities
and common securities were invested by the
Trust in our junior subordinated
debentures. We currently intend to use the
net proceeds from the sale of the junior
subordinated debentures, which was
approximately $19.2 million, net of
commissions and other offering expenses,
for general corporate purposes, such as
the repurchase of our common stock and the
purchase of securities by our banking
subsidiary, which may include long-term
securities. We have initially invested the
net proceeds in short-term investment
grade financial securities. We will not
receive any proceeds from the exchange
offer.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS................ For a discussion of certain prohibited
transactions and fiduciary duty issues
pertaining to purchases by or on behalf of
an employee benefit plan, you should see
"ERISA Considerations."
VOTING RIGHTS....................... As a holder of the capital securities, you
have no voting rights, except in limited
circumstances. You should read
"Description of Capital Securities --
Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust
Agreement" for more information.
RISK FACTORS........................ For a discussion of considerations
relevant to an investment in the capital
securities which should be carefully
considered by you, please read "Risk
Factors."
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On January 13, 2000, we entered into an agreement to acquire Milton
Federal Financial Corporation, by merging Milton into us. Under the terms of the
agreement, we will exchange .444 shares of our common stock and $6.80 for each
of the 2,099,995 outstanding shares of Milton. We will redeem Milton's
outstanding stock options for cash equal to the acquisition price per share less
the exercise price of the options prior to closing. Based on our closing price
of $20.375 on January 12, 2000, the transaction would be valued at $33.3
million. We will account for the merger as a purchase. We expect to consummate
the merger in the second quarter of 2000, pending approval by Milton's
shareholders, regulatory approval and other customary conditions of closing.
Milton has granted us an option to purchase up to 19.9% of Milton's outstanding
shares upon the occurrence of certain events.
At September 30, 1999, Milton had total assets of $256.7 million,
deposits of $168.5 million and shareholders' equity of $25.0 million. For the
twelve months ended September 30, 1999, Milton reported net income of $1.6
million with a return on assets of 0.63% and a return on shareholders' equity of
6.19%.
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<PAGE> 13
SUMMARY SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary information presents selected consolidated
financial data of BancFirst Ohio and our subsidiaries. Certain financial data
has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and certain
financial data has been derived from our unaudited consolidated quarterly
financial statements which, in the opinion of management, include all
adjustments (consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments) considered
necessary for a fair presentation. The following information is only a summary
and you should read it in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements
and related notes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, which are
incorporated in this prospectus by reference. The summary selected consolidated
financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 is not necessarily
indicative of the operating results for the year or any other interim period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 (10) 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Interest income $ 65,160 $ 64,959 $ 86,657 $ 84,692 $ 53,177 $ 34,063 $ 27,652
Interest expense 36,429 37,534 50,150 48,256 28,630 16,357 11,259
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net interest income 28,731 27,425 36,507 36,436 24,547 17,706 16,393
Provision for possible 1,130 925 1,225 1,221 1,257 967 338
loan losses
Non-interest income 7,598 7,562 9,948 7,768 6,258 4,984 3,801
Non-interest expense 21,956 22,337 29,827 26,677 21,235 12,805 11,410
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income
taxes and
extraordinary item 13,243 11,725 15,403 16,306 8,313 8,918 8,446
Provision for federal
income tax 4,159 3,700 4,835 5,536 2,354 2,706 2,572
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before
extraordinary item 9,084 8,025 10,568 10,770 5,959 6,212 5,874
Extraordinary
item-prepayment
charges on early
repayment of
Federal Home Loan
Bank Advances, net
of tax -- -- 400 -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 9,084 8,025 $ 10,168 $ 10,770 $ 5,959 $ 6,212 $ 5,874
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
PER SHARE DATA: (1)
Income before
extraordinary item $ 1.16 $ 1.01 $ 1.33 $ 1.35 $ 0.89 $ 1.04 $ 0.99
Net income, basic and
diluted 1.16 1.01 1.28 1.35 0.89 1.04 0.99
Dividends 0.42 0.41 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.47 0.45
Book value 10.85 11.25 11.09 10.72 9.79 8.42 7.38
Tangible book value 9.17 9.78 9.58 9.13 8.01 8.40 7.36
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets $ 1,235,885 $ 1,180,722 $ 1,181,011 $ 1,081,618 $ 1,056,920 $ 476,429 $ 429,384
Loans 830,238 776,658 777,063 761,027 721,855 268,818 247,943
Allowance for possible
loan losses 7,158 6,603 6,643 6,617 6,599 3,307 3,095
Securities 324,573 327,490 327,615 271,521 284,576 178,252 153,595
Deposits 789,274 766,051 789,622 747,047 732,689 348,545 320,836
Borrowings 358,250 316,287 296,750 239,449 236,609 74,135 63,525
Shareholders' equity 83,604 89,410 87,535 85,333 77,894 50,010 43,844
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on average
assets (2) 1.01% 0.96% 0.89% 0.98% 0.85% 1.38% 1.48%
Return on average
equity (3) 13.93 12.25 11.55 13.20 10.05 13.05 13.28
Net interest
margin (4) 3.50 3.53 3.48 3.55 3.78 4.27 4.49
Interest rate
spread (4) 3.15 3.10 3.05 3.08 3.22 3.55 3.89
</TABLE>
(continued on following page)
12
<PAGE> 14
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 (10) 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Non-interest income to
average assets 0.85 0.90 0.88 0.71 0.90 1.11 0.95
Non-interest expense to
average assets (5) 2.33 2.39 2.36 2.30 2.59 2.84 2.87
Efficiency ratio (6) 56.76 56.46 56.81 56.67 57.33 56.63 56.10
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS: (7)
Non-performing loans
total loans to 0.44% 0.38% 0.48% 0.29% 0.35% 0.38% 0.21%
Non-performing assets
total assets to 0.33 0.29 0.37 0.28 0.29 0.22 0.12
Allowance for possible
loan losses to total
loans 0.86 0.85 0.85 0.87 0.91 1.23 1.25
Allowance for possible
loan losses to
non-performing loans 196.2 226.6 178.3 298.3 258.0 322.9 608.1
Net charge-offs to
average loans 0.10 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.19 0.29 0.11
CAPITAL RATIOS: (8)
Shareholders' equity to 6.76% 7.57% 7.41% 7.89% 7.37% 10.50% 10.21%
total assets
Tier 1 capital to
average total
assets 6.33% 6.59% 6.52% 6.52% 6.06% 10.49% 10.18%
Tier 1 capital to
risk-weighted
assets 9.27 10.40 10.34 10.37 10.08 17.70 20.32
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES: (9)
Including interest on
deposits 1.36x 1.31x 1.31x 1.34x 1.29x 1.55x 1.75x
Excluding interest on
deposits 3.96x 4.10x 4.03x 4.33x 4.80x 6.43x 10.51x
- ---------
</TABLE>
(1) Per share data has been restated to reflect all stock dividends and
stock splits.
(2) Excluding the effects of non-recurring charges and income (including
the extraordinary item in 1998), the return on average assets was
1.01%, 1.05%, 1.02%, .95%, 1.10%, 1.38% and 1.48% for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 and the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
(3) Excluding the affects of non-recurring charges and income (including
the extraordinary item in 1998), the return on average equity was
13.93%, 13.46%, 13.21%, 12.80%, 12.98%, 13.05% and 13.28% for the nine
months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 and the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
(4) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted
average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted average cost
of interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest margin represents net
interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(5) Excludes amortization of intangibles and non-recurring charges totaling
$1,222 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and $1,629 for the
year ended December 31, 1998 for merger, restructuring and branch
closing costs and $2,632 in 1996 related to the special one-time SAIF
assessment and restructuring costs.
(6) The efficiency ratio is equal to non-interest expense (excluding
non-recurring charges and amortization of intangible assets) divided by
net interest income determined on a fully tax equivalent basis plus
non-interest income less gains or losses on securities transactions and
non-recurring income.
(7) At September 30, 1999, the Company had one restructured loan with an
aggregate principal amount of $2,986 that was considered impaired
though on accrual status, and had a specific reserve assigned to it in
the amount of $448. Including restructured loans, the Company's asset
quality ratios at September 30, 1999 would be as follows:
non-performing loans plus restructured loans to total loans, 0.80%;
non-performing assets plus restructured loans to total assets, 0.58%;
allowance for possible loan losses to non-performing loans plus
restructured loans, 107.9%.
(8) For definitions and information relating to our regulatory capital
requirements, see "Regulation and Supervision."
(9) For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings represent net income from continuing operations plus total
taxes based on income and fixed charges. Fixed charges, excluding
interest on deposits, include interest expense (other than on
deposits), one-third (the proportion deemed representative of the
interest factor) of rents, net of income from subleases and capitalized
interest. Fixed charges, including interest on deposits, include all
interest expense, one-third (the proportion deemed representative of
the interest factor) of rents, net of income from subleases, and
capitalized interest.
(10) Our acquisition of County Savings in August 1996 significantly affects
the comparability of our results of operations for prior years.
13
<PAGE> 15
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully read the following risk factors and other sections
of this prospectus before exchanging your capital securities. You should
carefully consider all of these risk factors to be important.
RISKS RELATED TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES
YOU MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY SELLING THE OLD SECURITIES WHICH YOU DO NOT EXCHANGE
If you do not exchange your old securities for the new securities
offered in this exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the
restrictions on the transfer of your old securities. Those transfer restrictions
are described in the trust agreement and in the legend contained on the old
securities, and arose because the old securities were originally issued under
exemptions from, and in transactions not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. Except in limited circumstances with respect
to specific types of holders of old securities, we will have no further
obligation to provide for registration under the Securities Act of the old
securities upon completion of the exchange offer.
In general, you may offer or sell your old securities only if they are
registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or if
they are offered and sold under an exemption from those requirements. We do not
intend to register the old securities under the Securities Act.
If a large number of old securities are exchanged for new securities
issued in the exchange offer, it may be more difficult for you to sell your
unexchanged capital securities. See "The Exchange Offer -- Consequences of
Failure to Exchange Outstanding Securities" for a discussion of the possible
consequences of failing to exchange your old securities.
BANCFIRSTOHIO CANNOT MAKE PAYMENTS UNDER THE GUARANTEE OR THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES IF BANCFIRST OHIO WOULD DEFAULT ON ITS OTHER
OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE MORE SENIOR.
Our obligations under the guarantee issued for your benefit are
unsecured and rank
- junior to all of our other borrowings, except those borrowings
that by their terms are equal or junior;
- junior to all of First National's deposit accounts; and
- senior to our common stock.
This means that we cannot pay under the guarantee if we default on
payments of any of our other borrowings, unless, by their terms, those
borrowings are equal or junior to the guarantee. If we liquidate, go bankrupt or
dissolve, we would be able to pay under the guarantee only after we have paid
all our other liabilities that are senior to the guarantee.
Our obligations under the junior subordinated debentures are unsecured
and rank junior in priority to all of our senior indebtedness, which includes
our borrowings that are not by their terms equal or junior to the junior
subordinated debentures. If we default on a payment on our senior indebtedness,
we cannot pay principal or interest on the junior subordinated debentures. If we
liquidate, go bankrupt or dissolve, we would be able to pay the Trust under the
junior subordinated debentures only after we have made all payments on our
senior indebtedness. As of September 30, 1999, we had approximately $6.25
million in senior indebtedness, excluding insured deposits.
14
<PAGE> 16
If we default on our obligations to pay principal, premium or interest
on the junior subordinated debentures, the Trust will not have sufficient funds
to make distribution payments or liquidation payments on the capital securities.
As a result, you will not be able to rely upon our guarantee for payment of
these amounts. Instead, you or the property trustee may enforce the rights of
the Trust under the junior subordinated debentures against us. For more
information, please refer to "Description of Subordinated Debentures -
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders."
The capital securities, guarantee, the junior subordinated debentures
and the indenture do not limit our ability to incur additional debt, including
debt that is senior in priority of payment.
For more information on payments under the guarantee and the junior
subordinated debentures, you should refer to "Description of Guarantee -- Status
of the Guarantee" and "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -
Subordination."
BANKING LAWS AND REGULATIONS LIMIT BANCFIRST OHIO'S ACCESS TO FUNDS, WHICH MAY
PREVENT BANCFIRST OHIO FROM MAKING PAYMENTS UNDER THE SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES.
We are a banking holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve
Board, or FRB, and almost all of our operating assets are owned by First
National. We rely primarily on dividends from First National to meet our
obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt
obligations and corporate expenses. Dividend payments from First National are
subject to regulatory limitations, generally based on current and retained
earnings, imposed by the various regulatory agencies with authority over First
National. Payment of dividends is also subject to regulatory restrictions if
such dividends would impair the capital of First National. Payment of dividends
by First National is also subject to First National's profitability, financial
condition and capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements. Bank
regulatory agencies have authority to prohibit First National or us from
engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting their business. The
payment of dividends, depending upon the financial condition of First National
or us, could be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice. The FRB
has stated that, as a matter of prudent banking, a bank or bank holding company
should not maintain its existing rate of cash dividends on common stock unless:
- the organization's net income available to common shareholders
over the past year has been sufficient to fund fully the
dividends; and
- the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent
with the organization's capital needs, asset quality, and
overall financial condition.
No assurance can be given that First National will be able to pay
dividends at past levels, or at all, in the future. See the section entitled
"Regulation and Supervision" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference.
In addition to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends,
First National is subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law on any
extensions of credit it makes to its affiliates and on investments in stock or
other securities of its affiliates. We are considered an affiliate of First
National. These restrictions prevent affiliates of First National, including us,
from borrowing from First National, unless various types of collateral secure
the loans. Federal law limits the aggregate amount of loans to and investments
in any single affiliate to 10% of the bank's capital and surplus and also limits
the aggregate amount of loans to and investments in all affiliates to 20% of the
bank's capital and surplus. As of September 30, 1999, approximately $8.4 million
of credit was available to us under this limitation.
15
<PAGE> 17
Under the prompt corrective action provisions of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act, First National is prohibited from making capital distributions,
including the payment of dividends, if, after making any capital distribution,
First National would become undercapitalized as defined under the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act. Based on First National's current financial condition, we
do not expect that this provision will have any impact on our ability to obtain
dividends from First National; however, we cannot be sure that First National
will be able to pay dividends in the future. At September 30, 1999, First
National had the capital to pay us $6.2 million in dividends without requiring
regulatory approval.
If we do not receive sufficient cash dividends from First National,
then it is unlikely that we will have sufficient funds to make payments on the
junior subordinated debentures, thereby leaving insufficient funds for the Trust
to make payments to you on the capital securities.
BANCFIRSTOHIO CAN DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES,
CAUSING YOUR PAYMENTS UNDER THE CAPITAL SECURITIES TO STOP, WHICH WILL
HAVE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU AND MAY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES.
We have the right, at one or more times, unless an event of default
exists under the junior subordinated debentures, to defer interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures for up to 10 consecutive semi-annual periods,
but not beyond October 15, 2029. If we defer interest payments, the Trust will
defer paying distributions to you on your capital securities during the deferral
period. Additionally, during this period, any unpaid distributions on the
capital securities will accumulate additional distributions at the rate of
9.875% per year, compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by law. We
also will be prohibited from declaring or paying cash dividends on our common
stock. For more information, please refer to "Description of Capital Securities
- - Distributions."
When any deferral period ends and we pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid on the junior subordinated debentures, we may elect to begin a new
deferral period. There is no limitation on the number of times that we may elect
to begin a deferral period. See "Description of Capital Securities -
Distributions" and "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures - Options to
Extend Interest Payment Date."
If we exercise our right to defer payments of interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, you will be required to accrue income (as original
issue discount) in respect of the deferred stated interest allocable to your
capital securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which will be allocated
but not distributed to you. As a result, you will be required to recognize
income for U.S. federal income tax purposes before you receive any cash and will
not receive the cash related to this interest income from the Trust if you
dispose of your capital securities prior to the record date for the distribution
payment.
We do not currently intend to exercise our right to defer interest
payments on the junior subordinated debentures. However, if we exercise this
right in the future, the market price of the capital securities will probably be
affected. The capital securities may trade at a price that does not fully
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest on the junior subordinated
debentures. If you sell your capital securities during a deferral period, you
may not receive the same return on your investment as someone else who continues
to hold the capital securities. As a result of our right to defer interest
payments, the market price of the capital securities, which represent preferred
beneficial interests in the Trust, may be more volatile than the market prices
of other securities that are not subject to such deferral options.
16
<PAGE> 18
THE TRUST MAY REDEEM THE CAPITAL SECURITIES IF A SPECIAL EVENT OCCURS.
If there are changes in the bank regulatory, investment company or tax
laws prior to October 15, 2009, that would adversely affect the status of the
Trust, the capital securities or the junior subordinated debentures, we have the
right to redeem the junior subordinated debentures, in whole but not in part.
Our redemption of the junior subordinated debentures will cause the Trust to
redeem the capital securities prior to maturity.
Our ability to cause the redemption of the capital securities under
these circumstances is subject to us receiving the necessary regulatory
approval, if required. For more information concerning events which may cause
the redemption of the junior subordinated debentures and prepayment of the
capital securities, see "Description of the capital securities - Redemption."
IF WE DISTRIBUTE THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, THERE MAY BE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT ON THE TRADING MARKET AND TRADING PRICE OF YOUR INVESTMENT, AND
THERE MAY BE ADVERSE TAX EFFECTS.
Your investment in the capital securities may decrease in value if the
junior subordinated debentures are distributed to you in liquidation of the
Trust. We cannot predict the liquidity of the market price or market prices for
the junior subordinated debentures that may be distributed. Accordingly, the
junior subordinated debentures that you receive upon a distribution, or the
capital securities you hold pending such distribution, may trade at a discount
to the price that you paid to purchase the capital securities.
Because you may receive the junior subordinated debentures, you must
also make an investment decision with regard to the junior subordinated
debentures. You should carefully review all of the information regarding the
junior subordinated debentures contained in this prospectus. Under "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences - Receipt of Junior Subordinated Debentures or
Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust," we discuss applicable federal income tax
consequences of a distribution of the junior subordinated debentures.
YOU WILL HAVE LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS.
As a holder of capital securities, you will have limited voting rights.
You can vote only to modify the capital securities or on the removal of the
property and Delaware trustees of the Trust upon a limited number of events. We,
along with the property trustee and the administrative trustees, may amend the
trust agreement without your consent even if these actions adversely affect your
interests, to ensure that the Trust:
- will not be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
- will not be required to register as an "investment company"
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
You will not have any voting rights regarding the administrative
trustees or any matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. See
"Description of Capital Securities - Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust
Agreement" and "-Removal of Trustees" for more information on your limited
voting rights.
17
<PAGE> 19
THE LIMITED COVENANTS RELATING TO THE CAPITAL SECURITIES AND THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DO NOT PROTECT YOU.
The covenants in the governing documents relating to the capital
securities and the junior subordinated debentures are limited. As a result, the
governing documents do not protect you in the event of an adverse change in our
financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the governing
documents do not limit our ability, or the ability of our subsidiaries, to incur
additional debt. You should not consider the terms of the governing documents to
be a significant factor in evaluating whether we will be able to comply with our
obligations under the junior subordinated debentures or the guarantee.
TRADING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY CREATE ADVERSE TAX
CONSEQUENCES FOR YOU.
The capital securities may trade at a price that does not reflect the
value of the accrued but unpaid interest on the underlying junior subordinated
debentures. If you dispose of your capital securities between the record date
for payments on the capital securities, you may have adverse tax consequences.
Under these circumstances, you will be required to include accrued but unpaid
interest on the junior subordinated debentures allocable to the capital
securities through the date of disposition in your income. If interest on the
junior subordinated debentures is included in income under the original issue
discount provisions, you would add this amount to your adjusted tax basis in
your share of the underlying junior subordinated debentures deemed disposed. If
your selling price is less than your adjusted tax basis, which will include all
accrued but unpaid original issue discount interest included in your income, you
could recognize capital loss which cannot be applied to offset ordinary income
for federal income tax purposes, subject to exceptions. See "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences - Interest Income and Original Issue Discount" and " -
Sales of capital securities" for more information on possible adverse tax
consequences to you.
ABSENCE OF RATINGS AND PUBLIC MARKET; RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE.
The capital securities have not been rated by any rating agency. There
is no existing market for the capital securities and there can be no assurance
as to:
- the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the capital
securities or the exchange capital securities; or
- the ability of the holders to sell the capital securities or
the exchange capital securities; or
- at what price holders of the capital securities or the
exchange capital securities, will be able to sell their
capital securities or the exchange capital securities, as the
case may be.
Future trading prices of the capital securities will depend on many
factors including, among others, prevailing interest rates, our operating
results and the market for similar securities. The initial purchaser has
informed the Trust and us that it intends to make a market in the capital
securities and the exchange capital securities. However, the initial purchaser
is not obligated to do so and any such activity may be terminated at any time
without notice to the holders of the capital securities or the exchange
capital securities, as applicable. In addition, such market making activity
will be subject to the limits of the Securities Act and may be limited during
the pendency of the exchange offer or during the period the shelf registration
statement is required to be kept effective.
18
<PAGE> 20
RISKS RELATING TO BANCFIRST OHIO AND FIRST NATIONAL
OUR ASSETS, SPECIFICALLY OUR SUBSIDIARY'S STOCK, COULD BE FORECLOSED UPON IF A
DEFAULT OCCURS UNDER OUR LOAN AGREEMENT.
We have pledged 67% of all issued and outstanding capital stock of
First National as collateral under our loan agreement with a third-party lender.
At September 30, 1999, our outstanding borrowings under this loan agreement were
$6.25 million. As a bank holding company, our primary asset is the issued and
outstanding stock of First National. We do not generate operating income, but
rely on the dividends from First National. If we fail to pay principal or
interest on the loan, the lender may take the capital stock of First National
serving as collateral for the loan in satisfaction of our obligations. Any such
actions could have a material adverse effect upon our ability to receive
dividends from First National. If we do not receive dividends from First
National, we will not have the funds to pay principal and interest on the junior
subordinated debentures and the Trust will not have the funds to pay
distributions to you on the capital securities.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE OUR GROWTH.
Our general strategy for growth has been to acquire banks and related
businesses that we believe are compatible with our business. We completed the
acquisition of County Savings Bank in 1996. At that time, County had total
assets approximately equal to our total assets. Since the completion of the
acquisition, we have worked to integrate County's operations and personnel with
First National. Because we did not have the systems and infrastructure in place
at the time of the acquisition to accommodate the resulting doubling of our
size, a significantly greater amount of time than initially anticipated has been
spent developing systems to accommodate the growth that resulted from this
acquisition. At present, we believe that our infrastructure is now in place to
accommodate additional growth from acquisitions. To the extent that we continue
to grow, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately and efficiently
manage such growth, including our ability to successfully complete the
acquisition of Milton and integrate its operations and personnel with ours.
Moreover, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for any acquisitions
we may want to make. Acquiring other banks and businesses will involve risks,
including:
- potential exposure to liabilities of banks and businesses we
acquire;
- difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and
personnel of banks and businesses;
- potential disruption of our businesses;
- inability to hire and train a sufficient number of skilled
employees;
- impairment of relationships with customers of the bank and
businesses we acquire; and
- incurrence of amortization expense for any acquisition
accounted for as a purchase.
If we fail to manage our growth effectively, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
OUR ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO COVER ACTUAL LOAN LOSSES.
Increases in the allowance for loan losses could adversely affect our
results of operations. As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that our
customers will be unable to repay their loans according to their terms and that
any collateral securing the payment of their loans may not be sufficient to
cover
19
<PAGE> 21
repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the lending business, particularly so
with commercial portfolio lending which comprises 49% of our total loans at
September 30, 1999.
We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of
our loan portfolio and provide an allowance for potential losses based on
various factors. If our assumptions are not accurate, our allowance for loan
losses may not be sufficient to cover our loan losses. Material increases to the
allowance for loan losses may also be necessary due to changes in economic
conditions, the performance of our loan portfolio and increases in both loan
originations and purchases. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses would
decrease our net income.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO MANAGE INTEREST RATE RISKS AND THAT COULD REDUCE OUR NET
INTEREST INCOME.
Our results of operations are affected principally by net interest
income which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments
and interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings. We cannot predict or
control changes in interest rates. Regional and local economic conditions and
the policies of regulatory authorities, including monetary policies of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, affect interest income and interest
expense. We take measures intended to manage the risks from changes in market
interest rates. However, changes in interest rates can still have a material
adverse effect on our profitability.
When we acquired County, we inherited interest rate swap agreements.
County had entered into these agreements to mange interest rate risk exposure.
As a result, we have managed our interest rate risk taking into consideration
the effects of these agreements. Some of the interest rate swap agreements will
begin to expire in December 1999. We do not currently intend to replace these
interest rate swap agreements as they expire. If we do not replace these
instruments, we will need to take other measures to manage our interest rate
risks. Other measures may include converting existing short-term repricing
liabilities to longer repricing terms.
In addition, certain assets and liabilities may react in different
degrees to changes in market interest rates. For example, interest rates on some
types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate prior to changes in broader market
interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind. Some of our
assets, such as adjustable rate mortgages, have features including rate caps,
which restrict changes in their interest rates.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our
control. Some of these factors include:
- inflation;
- recession;
- unemployment;
- money supply;
- international disorders; and
- instability in domestic and foreign financial markets.
20
<PAGE> 22
Changes in interest rates may affect:
- the level of voluntary prepayments on our loans; and
- the receipt of payment in our mortgage-backed securities
resulting in the receipt of proceeds that may be reinvested at
a lower rate than the loan or mortgage-backed security being
prepaid.
Although we pursue an asset-liability management strategy designed to
control our risk from changes in market interest rates, changes in interest
rates can still have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
CHANGES IN THE SBA PROGRAM OR INCREASED COMPETITION FOR SUCH LOANS COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
The SBA lending program is a federal government program. The U.S.
Congress continues to scrutinize government programs, including the SBA lending
program. We cannot assure you that the SBA lending program will continue in its
present manner. Our strategic plan includes an emphasis on continued growth of
our SBA lending program. Loans generated through this program contain portions
(typically 75%) which are guaranteed by the government. We have sold these
guaranteed portions in the secondary market. The non-interest income we generate
from these sales has been an important source of revenue for us, and continues
to play a significant role in our earnings. Future non-interest income from
these activities depends on our ability to generate and sell loans under the SBA
lending program. If the U.S. Congress changes the SBA lending program, or if we
have increased competition for such loans, our operating results could be
adversely affected.
WE CANNOT PREDICT HOW CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY WILL IMPACT OUR BUSINESS.
The financial services industry, including the banking sector, is
increasingly affected by advances in technology, including developments in:
- telecommunications;
- data processing;
- automation;
- internet banking;
- telebanking; and
- debit cards and so-called "smart cards."
We currently do not provide Internet banking services or "smart cards."
We are testing an Internet banking product, but we cannot assure you that we
will be able to provide this service to our customers in the foreseeable future.
Our ability to compete successfully in the future will depend on whether we can
anticipate and respond to technological changes. To develop these and other new
technologies, we will likely have to make additional capital investments.
Although we continually invest in new technology, we cannot assure you that we
will have sufficient resources or access to the necessary technology to remain
competitive in the future or that the capital investments we make will not have
an adverse material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
21
<PAGE> 23
WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE REGULATION.
We will depend primarily upon dividends from First National to meet our
obligations under the junior subordinated debentures. Banking regulations may
restrict or even prevent us from receiving dividends from First National in the
future. At September 30, 1999, First National had approximately $6.2 million of
retained earnings plus net income available to pay dividends to us without
regulatory approval. However, the banking industry is heavily regulated under
both federal and state law. We cannot assure you that modifications to existing
laws or new laws will not adversely affect our business and consequently our
ability to make payments under the junior subordinated debentures.
WE HAVE BROAD DISCRETION REGARDING THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM
THE SALE OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.
We have allocated all of the net proceeds of our sale of junior
subordinated debentures for general corporate purposes, such as the repurchase
of our common stock and the purchase of securities by our banking subsidiary,
which may include long-term securities. Accordingly, management has broad
discretion in applying the proceeds. Pending our use of such proceeds, the funds
have been placed in short-term, interest-bearing, investment grade instruments.
Since we have not yet determined how we will use the proceeds of the offering,
you will be unable to predict the financial success of our long-term use of
proceeds. We will not receive any proceeds from this exchange offer.
22
<PAGE> 24
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new
securities in this exchange offer. All of the old securities that are tendered
in the exchange offer will be retired and cancelled. All of the proceeds from
the initial sale by the Trust of its capital securities and common securities
were invested by the Trust in the junior subordinated debentures. The net
proceeds we received from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures were
approximately $19.2 million, net of commissions and other offering expenses. We
currently intend to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, such as
the repurchase of our common stock and the purchase of securities by our banking
subsidiary, which may include long-term securities, and we may use a portion of
the proceeds to fund the cash portion of the purchase price for the Milton
acquisition. Initially, we invested the net proceeds in short-term investment
grade financial securities.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The new securities to be issued in the exchange offer will be recorded
at the same carrying value as the old securities as reflected in our accounting
records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain
or loss for accounting purposes. The expenses of the exchange offer and the
unamortized expenses relating to the issuance of the old securities will be
amortized over the term of the old securities and the new securities to be
issued in the exchange offer.
For financial reporting purposes, the Trust will be treated as our
subsidiary, and, accordingly, the accounts of the Trust will be included in our
consolidated financial statements. The capital securities will be included with
borrowings and presented as a separate line item in our consolidated balance
sheet under the caption "Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in
Subordinated Debt," and appropriate disclosures about the capital securities,
the guarantee and the junior subordinated debentures will be included in the
notes to consolidated financial statements. For financial reporting purposes, we
will record distributions payable on the capital securities as an interest
expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Future reports we file under the Exchange Act will include a footnote
to the financial statements stating that:
- the Trust is wholly-owned;
- the sole assets of the Trust are the junior subordinated
debentures (specifying the principal amount, interest rate and
maturity date of such junior subordinated debentures); and
- the back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full
and unconditional guarantee by us of the obligations of the
Trust under the capital securities.
The Trust is not required to provide separate reports under the
Exchange Act.
23
<PAGE> 25
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization at
September 30, 1999, and as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the
capital securities offered by the Trust and receipt and application by us of the
proceeds from the corresponding sale of the junior subordinated debentures to
the Trust. You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated
financial statements and notes, which are incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
----------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
------ -----------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term borrowings
FHLB advances due beyond one year .................... $ 99,000 $ 99,000
Term reverse repurchase agreements due beyond one year 45,000 45,000
Term note payable .................................... 6,250 6,250
Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in
Subordinated Debt (1) ............................ -- 20,000
------------ ------------
Total long-term borrowings ........................... $ 150,250 $ 170,250
============ ============
Common stock, no par or stated value; 20,000,000 shares
authorized, 8,162,467 outstanding .................... $ 66,276 $ 66,276
Treasury stock, at cost, 454,629 shares .................. (11,043) (11,043)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (2) ............... (5,313) (5,313)
Retained earnings ........................................ 33,684 33,684
------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity ........................... $ 83,604 $ 83,604
============ ============
Total capitalization ................................. $ 233,854 $ 253,854
============ ============
- -------------
</TABLE>
(1) As described herein, the sole assets of the Trust, which is our subsidiary,
is $20,619,000 aggregate principal amount of the fixed rate junior
subordinated debentures, Series A, which will mature on October 15, 2029.
We own all of the common securities issued by the Trust. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures."
(2) Includes only net unrealized gain on securities available for sale.
PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL
Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, First National
is required to maintain Tier 1 capital and total capital (Tier 1 plus Tier 2
capital) equal to at least 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively, of our risk weighted
assets, and Tier 1 capital equal to at least 4.0% of our average total assets
(calculated quarterly).
At September 30, 1999, our Tier 1 leverage capital, Tier 1 risk-based
capital and total capital amounted to $75.8 million (6.33% of average adjusted
total assets), $75.8 million (9.27% of risk weighted assets) and $82.9 million
(10.14% of risk weighted assets), respectively, exceeding all of our minimum
regulatory requirements. For additional information on the regulatory capital
requirements applicable to us, see "Regulation and Supervision."
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<PAGE> 26
The following tables set forth our pro forma regulatory capital and pro
forma regulatory capital ratios as adjusted to give effect to the receipt of the
estimated net proceeds from the offering. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Regulation
and Supervision."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Risk Based
----------------------
Tier 1
Leverage Tier 1 Total
Capital Capital Capital
--------- --------- ---------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Stockholders' equity $ 83,604 $ 83,604 $ 83,604
Minority interest--Capital Securities (1) 20,000 20,000 20,000
Unrealized losses on securities available for sale 5,313 5,313 5,313
Non-allowable capital:
Intangible assets (13,132) (13,132) (13,132)
--------- --------- ---------
Supplemental capital:
Allowance for loan losses . N/A N/A 7,158
--------- --------- ---------
Regulatory capital $ 95,785 $ 95,785 $ 102,943
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
(1) Under Federal Reserve Board regulations, the capital securities cannot
represent more than 25% of Tier 1 capital.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Risk Based
----------------------
Tier 1
Leverage Tier 1 Total
Capital Capital Capital
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Regulatory capital $ 95,785 $ 95,785 $ 102,943
7.86% 11.43% 12.28%
Regulatory requirement $ 48,718 $ 33,519 $ 67,037
4.00% 4.00% 8.00%
Excess above required ratio $ 47,066 $ 62,266 $ 35,906
3.86% 7.43% 4.28%
</TABLE>
The amount of average adjusted total assets for the Tier 1 leverage
ratio was approximately $1.2 billion. Risk-weighted assets used for the
risk-based capital ratios amounted to approximately $838.0 million, assuming the
proceeds from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures are invested in
assets having a risk weighting of 100%.
At September 30, 1999, First National's Tier 1 leverage capital, Tier 1
risk-based capital and total capital amounted to $80.1 million (6.68% of average
adjusted total assets), $80.1 million (9.76% of risk weighted assets) and $84.1
million (10.25% of risk weighted assets), respectively, exceeding all of its
minimum regulatory requirements. For additional information on the regulatory
capital requirements applicable to First National, see "Regulation and
Supervision."
25
<PAGE> 27
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
GENERAL
We were organized as a bank holding company under the laws of the State
of Ohio. We conduct a full-service commercial and retail banking business
through our wholly-owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of Zanesville.
Effective May 16, 1998, we merged our two other banking subsidiaries, Bellbrook
Community Bank and County Savings Bank, with First National under the national
bank charter of First National. We also own a full service financial planning
company that conducts business under the name Chornyak & Associates, Inc., which
we acquired in April 1999.
We are headquartered in Zanesville, Ohio, the county seat of Muskingum
County. Through First National, we operate 22 full-service banking facilities
which serve Muskingum, Licking, Franklin and Greene Counties, Ohio. Our primary
market extends along Interstate 70 in central Ohio and includes the markets of
Zanesville, Newark, Columbus, and Dayton. We primarily focus on providing
personalized, high quality and comprehensive banking services in order to
develop and maintain long-term relationships with our customers. We offer a
range of banking services, including:
- commercial and commercial real estate loans;
- Small Business Administration loans;
- residential real estate loans;
- consumer loans;
- personal and business checking accounts;
- savings accounts;
- demand and time deposits;
- safe deposit services; and
- trust, private banking, financial planning and investment
services.
At September 30, 1999, on a consolidated basis, we had total assets of
$1.2 billion, total liabilities of $1.2 billion, including total deposits of
$789.3 million, total loans of $830.2 million, and total stockholders' equity of
$83.6 million.
OUR STRATEGY
We believe our profitability in recent years is in part attributable to
the growth strategy that we began implementing in 1992. At December 31, 1991, we
had nine branch offices with assets of $298.2 million, an equity to assets ratio
of 11.82%, and operations heavily concentrated in Muskingum County. Management
believed that increased size would allow us to:
- take advantage of increased operating efficiencies associated
with the attendant economies of scale;
- achieve greater diversification of our markets and products;
- enhance shareholder value by more effectively leveraging our
equity capital; and
- more effectively position ourselves to take advantage of
acquisition opportunities in the rapidly changing financial
services industry.
26
<PAGE> 28
Given our significant market share in our primary market area, we
recognized that our desired growth would have to come primarily from expansion
into new markets. In recognition of these factors, management undertook a growth
strategy which emphasized:
- acquiring existing branch locations from competing
institutions as well as de novo branching;
- increasing lending to small businesses through the formation
of small business lending centers outside Muskingum County;
- acquiring bank and thrift holding companies;
- expanding trust, private banking and investment services; and
- improving technology to enhance services and manage the cost
of operations.
We believe that we have been successful in implementing our strategy.
In 1992, First National acquired a $30.6 million branch of a savings and loan
association in Dresden, Ohio. Later in 1992, First National opened the first of
four small business lending centers to serve small businesses in Columbus, Ohio,
and specialize in loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, SBA.
During 1997 and 1998, First National was the largest originator of SBA Section
7(a) loans in Ohio and was awarded the designation of preferred lender by the
SBA. Currently, First National has small business lending centers located in
Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana,
Louisville, Kentucky and Detroit, Michigan.
Our 1995 acquisition of Bellbrook Community Bank provided access to the Dayton
metropolitan market. In August 1996, we acquired County Savings Bank which had
total assets of approximately $554 million. In October 1998, First National
opened a new branch location in Washington Township, Ohio, located in the Dayton
metropolitan market. We have also opened an additional branch location in New
Albany, Ohio, a rapidly growing suburb of Columbus, Ohio. As a result of our
strategic growth strategy, our assets have increased by more than $800 million
since December 31, 1991.
Our board of directors and management intend to seek continued controlled growth
of the organization through selective acquisitions of banks and/or savings and
loan associations. The objectives of such acquisitions will be to:
- increase the opportunity for quality earning asset growth,
deposit generation and fee-based income opportunities;
- diversify the earning assets portfolio and core deposit base
through expansion into new geographic markets;
- improve the potential profits from our combined operations
through economies of scale; and
- enhance shareholder value.
In furtherance of such objectives, we intend to continue our pursuit of
business combinations which fit our strategic objectives of growth,
diversification and market expansion and which provide the potential for
enhanced shareholder value. At the present time, we do not have any
understanding or agreements for any acquisition or combination.
27
<PAGE> 29
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On January 13, 2000, we entered into an agreement to acquire Milton
Federal Financial Corporation, by merging Milton into us. Under the terms of the
agreement, we will exchange .444 shares of our common stock and $6.80 for each
of the 2,099,995 outstanding shares of Milton. We will redeem Milton's
outstanding stock options for cash equal to the acquisition price per share less
the exercise price of the options prior to closing. Based on our closing price
of $20.375 on January 12, 2000, the transaction would be valued at $33.3
million. We will account for the merger as a purchase. We expect to consummate
the merger in the second quarter of 2000, pending approval by Milton's
shareholders, regulatory approval and other customary conditions of closing.
Milton has granted us an option to purchase up to 19.9% of Milton's outstanding
shares upon the occurrence of certain events.
At September 30, 1999, Milton had total assets of $256.7 million, deposits of
$168.5 million and shareholders' equity of $25.0 million. For the twelve months
ended September 30, 1999, Milton reported net income of $1.6 million with a
return on assets of 0.63% and a return on shareholders' equity of 6.19%.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
Almost all of our assets consist of our investment in First National,
our principal subsidiary. Thus, our ability to pay principal of, and interest
on, the junior subordinated debentures depends almost entirely on cash dividends
we receive from First National.
First National may not pay dividends to us if, after paying those
dividends, it would fail to meet the required minimum levels under risk-based
capital guidelines and the minimum leverage ratio requirements. First National
must have the approval of federal bank regulators if a dividend in any year
would cause the total dividends for that year to exceed the sum of the current
year's net income plus retained earnings for the preceding two years, less
required transfers to surplus. At September 30, 1999, approximately $6.2 million
of retained earnings plus net income was available for the payment of dividends
to us without regulatory approval. Payment of dividends by a banking subsidiary
may be restricted at any time at the discretion of the appropriate regulator if
it deems the payment to constitute an unsafe and/or unsound banking practice or
necessary to maintain adequate capital.
If we do not receive sufficient cash dividends from First National, it
is unlikely that we will have sufficient funds to make payments on the junior
subordinated debentures. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures."
Other statutes and regulations that affect us and First National are
summarized in "Item 1. Business - Regulation and Supervision" of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 incorporated
into this prospectus by reference.
28
<PAGE> 30
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law upon
the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. The
Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of:
- issuing and selling the capital securities;
- using the proceeds from the sale of the capital securities to
acquire the junior subordinated debentures; and
- engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable
or incidental thereto, including the exchange offer.
The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of the Trust,
and, accordingly, payments under the junior subordinated debentures will be the
sole revenues of the Trust. We own all of the common securities of the Trust.
The common securities rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro
rata, with the capital securities, except that upon the occurrence and
continuance of an event of default under the Trust agreement resulting from a
debenture event of default, our rights as holder of the common securities to
payments in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
or otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the capital
securities. See "Description of Capital Securities -- Subordination of Common
Securities." We acquired common securities in a liquidation amount equal to at
least 3% of the total capital of the Trust. The Trust has a term of
approximately 35 years, but may dissolve earlier as provided in its Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, referred to in this prospectus as the trust
agreement. The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by the issuer
trustees, each of whom we appoint as holder of the common securities. The issuer
trustees for the Trust will be Wilmington Trust Company, as the property trustee
and as the Delaware trustee, and three administrative trustees who are our
officers. Wilmington Trust Company, as property trustee, acts as sole indenture
trustee under the trust agreement. Wilmington Trust Company also acts as
indenture trustee under the guarantee and the indenture. See "Description of
Guarantee" and "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures." The holder of
the common securities of the Trust or, if an event of default under the trust
agreement has occurred and is continuing, the holders of not less than a
majority in liquidation amount of the capital securities will be entitled to
appoint, remove or replace the property trustee and/or the Delaware trustee. In
no event will the holders of the capital securities have the right to vote to
appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees; such voting rights will
be vested exclusively in the holder of the common securities. The duties and
obligations of each issuer trustee are governed by the trust agreement. As
issuer of the junior subordinated debentures, we will pay all fees, expenses,
debts and obligations (other than the payment of principal of, and interest on,
the capital securities) related to the Trust and the offering of the capital
securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all ongoing costs, expenses and
liabilities of the Trust. The principal executive office of the Trust is c/o
BancFirst Ohio Corp., 422 Main Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43702 and its telephone
number is (740) 452-8444.
29
<PAGE> 31
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
When we sold the outstanding capital securities on October 18, 1999, we
entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchaser of those
capital securities. Under the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to
file a registration statement regarding the exchange of the outstanding capital
securities for new capital securities which are registered under the Securities
Act. We have also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the
registration statement to become effective with the SEC, and to conduct this
exchange offer after the registration statement is declared effective. We will
use our reasonable best efforts to keep this registration statement effective at
least until the exchange offer is completed. The registration rights agreement
provides that we will be required to pay liquidated damages to the holders of
the outstanding capital securities if:
- the registration statement is not filed by March 16, 2000;
- the registration statement is not declared effective by April
15, 2000; or
- the exchange offer has not been completed within 30 business
days after the registration statement becomes effective.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
This prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal together
constitute the exchange offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for
exchange outstanding capital securities which are properly tendered on or before
the expiration date and are not withdrawn as permitted below. The expiration
date for this exchange offer is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [ ], 2000, or
such later date and time to which we, in our sole discretion, extend the
exchange offer.
The form and terms of the new securities being issued in the exchange
offer are the same as the form and terms of the old securities, except that:
- the new securities being issued in the exchange offer will
have been registered under the Securities Act;
- the new securities being issued in the exchange offer will not
bear the restrictive legends restricting their transfer under
the Securities Act; and
- the new securities being issued in the exchange offer will not
contain the registration rights and liquidated damages
provisions contained in the old securities.
Outstanding capital securities being tendered in the exchange offer
must be in denominations of the principal amount of $1,000 and integral
multiples of that amount.
We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion:
- to extend the expiration date;
- to delay accepting any outstanding capital securities;
- if any of the conditions set forth below under "--Conditions
to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied, to terminate
the exchange offer and not accept any old securities for
exchange; or
- to amend the exchange offer in any manner.
30
<PAGE> 32
We will give oral or written notice of any extension, delay,
non-acceptance, termination or amendment as promptly as practicable by a public
announcement, and in the case of an extension, not
later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after
the previously scheduled expiration date.
During an extension, all outstanding capital securities previously
tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for
exchange by us. Any outstanding capital securities not accepted for exchange for
any reason will be returned without cost to the holder that tendered them as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or Termination of the exchange
offer.
HOW TO TENDER OLD SECURITIES FOR EXCHANGE
When the holder of old securities tenders, and we accept, old
securities for exchange, a binding agreement between us and the tendering holder
is created, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this prospectus and
the accompanying letter of transmittal. Except as set forth below, a holder of
outstanding capital securities who wishes to tender them for exchange must, on
or prior to the expiration date:
- transmit a properly completed and duly executed letter of
transmittal, including all other documents required by that
letter of transmittal, to Wilmington Trust Company, the
"exchange agent", at the address set forth below under the
heading "Exchange Agent"; or
- if capital securities are tendered pursuant to the book-entry
procedures set forth below, the tendering holder must transmit
an agent's message to the exchange agent at the address set
forth below under the heading "Exchange Agent."
In addition, either:
- the exchange agent must receive the certificates for the
outstanding capital securities being tendered and the letter
of transmittal;
- the exchange agent must receive, prior to the expiration date,
a timely confirmation of the book-entry transfer of the
capital securities being tendered into the exchange agent's
account at DTC or an agent's message; or
- the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below.
The term "agent's message" means a message, transmitted to DTC and
received by the exchange agent and forming a part of a book-entry transfer,
which states DTC has received an express acknowledgment that the tendering
holder agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that we may enforce
the letter of transmittal against that holder.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND
RISK OF THE HOLDERS. IF THE DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, WE RECOMMEND REGISTERED MAIL,
PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, YOU SHOULD ALLOW
SUFFICIENT TIME TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR CAPITAL
SECURITIES SHOULD BE SENT DIRECTLY TO US.
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed unless the old securities surrendered for
exchange are tendered:
- by a holder of the old securities, who has not completed the
box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special
Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal; or
- for the account of an eligible institution.
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<PAGE> 33
An "eligible institution" is a firm which is a member of a registered
national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office
or correspondent in the United States.
If signatures on a letter of transmittal or notice of withdrawal are
required to be guaranteed, the guarantor must be an eligible institution. If old
securities are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of the
letter of transmittal, the old securities surrendered for exchange must be
endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer
or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by us in our sole discretion,
duly executed by the registered holder with the holder's signature guaranteed by
an eligible institution.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
and acceptance of old securities tendered for exchange in our sole discretion,
including questions as to time of receipt. Our determination will be final and
binding. We reserve the absolute right to:
- reject any and all tenders of any old security improperly
tendered;
- refuse to accept any old security if, in our judgment or the
judgment of our counsel, acceptance of the old security may be
deemed unlawful; and
- waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the
exchange offer as to any particular old security either before
or after the expiration date, including the right to waive the
ineligibility of any holder who seeks to tender old securities
in the exchange offer.
Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer as
to any particular old securities either before or after the expiration date,
including the letter of transmittal and the instructions to it, will be final
and binding on all parties. Holders must cure any defects and irregularities in
connection with tenders of old securities for exchange within such reasonable
period of time as we will determine, unless we waive those defects or
irregularities. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person shall be
under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect
to any tender of old securities for exchange, nor shall any of us incur any
liability for failure to give that notification.
If a person or persons other than the registered holder or holders of
the old securities tendered for exchange signs the letter of transmittal, the
tendered old securities must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of
attorney, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered
holder or holders that appear on the old securities being tendered.
If trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity sign the letter of transmittal or any old securities or any power of
attorney, those persons should so indicate when signing, and you must submit
proper evidence satisfactory to us of, such person's authority to so act unless
we waive this requirement.
By tendering, each holder will represent to us that, among other
things, the person acquiring new securities in the exchange offer is obtaining
them in the ordinary course of its business, whether or not such person is the
holder, and that neither the holder nor such other person has any arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the new
securities issued in the exchange offer. If any holder or any such other person
is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of BancFirst
Ohio, or is engaged in or intends to engage in or has an arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of new securities
to be acquired in the exchange offer, that holder or any such other person:
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- may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of
the SEC; and
- must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer who acquired its old securities as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and thereafter receives new
securities issued for its own account in the exchange offer, must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new
securities issued in the exchange offer. 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. See "Plan of Distribution" for a discussion of the exchange and resale
obligations of broker-dealers in connection with the exchange offer.
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD SECURITIES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW SECURITIES ISSUED IN
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the exchange
offer, we will accept, promptly after the expiration date, all outstanding old
securities properly tendered and will issue new securities registered under the
Securities Act. For purposes of the exchange offer, we will be deemed to have
accepted properly tendered outstanding old securities for exchange when, as and
if we have given oral or written notice to the exchange agent, with written
confirmation of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter. See
"--Conditions to the Exchange Offer" for a discussion of the conditions that
must be satisfied before we accept any old securities for exchange.
For each outstanding old security accepted for exchange, the holder
will receive a new security registered under the Securities Act having a
liquidation amount equal to that of the surrendered old security. Accordingly,
registered holders of new securities issued in the exchange offer on the
relevant record date for the first distribution date following the completion of
the exchange offer will receive a distribution accruing from the most recent
date to which a distribution has been paid or, if no distribution has been paid
on the outstanding capital securities, from October 18, 1999. Outstanding old
securities that we accept for exchange will cease to accrue distributions from
and after the date of completion of the exchange offer. Under the registration
rights agreement, we may be required to make additional payments in the form of
liquidated damages to the holders of the outstanding capital securities under
circumstances relating to the timing of the exchange offer.
In all cases, we will issue new securities in the exchange offer for
outstanding old securities that are accepted for exchange only after the
exchange agent timely receives:
- certificates for such old securities or a timely book-entry
confirmation of such old securities into the exchange agent's
account at DTC;
- a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal
or an agent's message; and
- all other required documents.
If for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer we do not accept any tendered outstanding old securities, or if a holder
submits outstanding old securities for a greater liquidation amount than the
holder desires to exchange, we will return such unaccepted or non-exchanged old
securities without cost to the tendering holder. In the case of old securities
tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC, such
non-exchanged old securities will be credited to an account maintained with DTC.
We will return the old securities or have them credited to the DTC account as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange
offer.
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BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFERS
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with
respect to the outstanding old securities at DTC for purposes of the exchange
offer as soon as practicable after the date of this prospectus. Any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC's systems must make book-entry delivery
of outstanding old securities by causing DTC to transfer such outstanding old
securities into the exchange agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's
procedures for transfer. That participant should transmit its acceptance to DTC
on or prior to the expiration date or comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below. DTC will verify that acceptance, execute a
book-entry transfer of the tendered old securities into the exchange agent's
account at DTC and then send to the exchange agent confirmation of that
book-entry transfer. The confirmation of the book-entry transfer will include an
agent's message confirming that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
the participant that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
letter of transmittal and that we may enforce the letter of transmittal against
that participant. Delivery of new securities issued in the exchange offer may be
effected through book-entry transfer at DTC. However, the letter of transmittal
or a facsimile of it or an agent's message, with any required signature
guarantees and any other required documents, must:
- be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at the
address set forth below under "-- Exchange Agent" on or prior
to the expiration date; or
- comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
If a holder of outstanding old securities desires to tender them but
they are not immediately available, or if the holder cannot deliver the old
securities or other required documents to 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 if:
- the holder tenders the outstanding old securities through an
eligible institution;
- prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from
that eligible institution a properly completed and duly
executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the
form we have provided, by telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission, mail or hand delivery, setting forth the name
and address of the holder of the old securities being tendered
and the amount of the old securities being tendered. The
notice of guaranteed delivery must state that the tender is
being made and guarantee that within three New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the date of execution of the
notice of guaranteed delivery, the certificates for all
physically tendered old securities, in proper form for
transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be,
together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of
transmittal or agent's message with any required signature
guarantees and any other documents required by the letter of
transmittal will be deposited by the eligible institution with
the Exchange Agent; and
- the exchange agent receives the certificates for all
physically tendered old securities, in proper form for
transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be,
together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of
transmittal or agent's message with any required signature
guarantees and any other documents required by the letter of
transmittal, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed
delivery.
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WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
You may withdraw tenders of your old securities at any time prior to
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective, you must send a written notice of
withdrawal or a properly transmitted agent's message to the exchange agent at
one of the addresses set forth below under "-- Exchange Agent." The notice of
withdrawal must:
- specify the name of the person having tendered the old
securities to be withdrawn;
- identify the old securities to be withdrawn, including the
liquidation amount of the old securities; and
- where certificates for old securities are transmitted, specify
the name in which the old securities are registered, if
different from that of the withdrawing holder.
If certificates for old securities have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of such
certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and signed notice of withdrawal with
signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution unless the holder is an
eligible institution. If old securities have been tendered pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must
specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the
withdrawn old securities and otherwise comply with the procedures of that
facility. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility of such notices, including questions as to time of receipt, and our
determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any tendered old
securities so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
exchange for purposes of the exchange offer. Any old securities which have been
tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be
returned to the tendering holder without cost to that holder. In the case of old
securities tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at
DTC, the old securities withdrawn will be credited to an account maintained with
DTC for the outstanding old securities. The old securities will be returned or
credited to the DTC account as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection
of tender or termination of the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn old
securities may be re-tendered by following the procedures described under "--
How to Tender Old Securities for Exchange" above at any time on or prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We are not required to accept for exchange, or to issue new securities
in the exchange offer for, any outstanding old securities. We may terminate or
amend the exchange offer, if at any time before the acceptance of outstanding
old securities for exchange:
- any federal law, statute, rule or regulation is adopted or
enacted which, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected
to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer;
- any stop order is threatened or in effect with respect to the
registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a
part or the qualification of the indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939; or
- there occurs a change in the current interpretation by staff
of the SEC which permits the new securities to be issued in
the exchange offer to be offered for resale, resold and
otherwise transferred by the holders of the new securities,
other than broker-dealers and any holder which is an
"affiliate" of BancFirst 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 the new securities acquired in the exchange
offer are acquired in the
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ordinary course of that holder's business and that holder has
no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate
in the distribution of the new securities to be issued in the
exchange offer.
The preceding conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert
them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition. We may
waive the preceding conditions in whole or in part at any time and from time to
time in our sole discretion. If we do so, the exchange offer will remain open
for at least three business days following any waiver of the preceding
conditions. Our failure at any time to exercise the foregoing rights shall not
be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an
ongoing right which we may assert at any time and from time to time.
THE EXCHANGE AGENT
Wilmington Trust Company, in its capacity as property trustee, has been
appointed as our exchange agent for the exchange offer. All executed letters of
transmittal should be directed to our exchange agent at the address set forth
below. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of
this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notices of
guaranteed delivery should be directed to the exchange agent addressed as
follows:
BY HAND, OVERNIGHT DELIVERY, REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL TO:
Wilmington Trust Company, as Exchange Agent
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration - BFOH
Capital Trust I Exchange Offer
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE: (302) 651-1000
BY FACSIMILE (for eligible institutions only): (302) 651-8882
DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE OTHER
THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
FEES AND EXPENSES
We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers, or others soliciting
acceptance of the exchange offer except for reimbursement of mailing expenses.
The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the
exchange offer will be paid by us and are estimated in the aggregate to be
approximately $_________.
TRANSFER TAXES
Holders who tender their outstanding old securities for exchange will
not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with the exchange. If,
however, new securities issued in the exchange offer are to be delivered to, or
are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the holder of the old
securities tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than
the exchange of the old securities in connection with the exchange offer, then
the holder must pay any such transfer taxes,
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whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other person. If satisfactory
evidence of payment of, or exemption from, those taxes is not submitted with the
letter of transmittal, the amount of those transfer taxes will be billed
directly to the tendering holder.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE OF EXCHANGE OUTSTANDING SECURITIES
Holders who desire to tender their outstanding old securities in
exchange for new securities registered under the Securities Act should allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the exchange agent nor
BancFirst Ohio nor the Trust is under any duty to give notification of defects
or irregularities with respect to the tenders of securities for exchange.
Outstanding old securities that are not tendered or are tendered but
not accepted will, following the completion of the exchange offer, continue to
be subject to the provisions in the indenture regarding the transfer and
exchange of the outstanding old securities and the existing restrictions on
transfer set forth in the legend on the outstanding old securities and in the
offering memorandum dated October 13, 1999, relating to the outstanding old
securities. Except in limited circumstances with respect to specific types of
holders of outstanding old securities, we will have no further obligation to
provide for the registration under the Securities Act of such outstanding old
securities. In general, outstanding old securities, unless registered under the
Securities Act, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from,
or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws.
We do not currently anticipate that we will take any action to register
the outstanding old securities under the Securities Act or under any state
securities laws. Upon completion of the exchange offer, holders of the
outstanding old securities will not be entitled to any further registration
rights under the registration rights agreement, except under limited
circumstances.
Holders of the new securities of either series issued in the exchange
offer and any outstanding old securities of that series which remain outstanding
after completion of the exchange offer will vote together as a single class for
purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage of the class
have taken certain actions or exercised certain rights under the trust
agreement.
CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING OUTSTANDING SECURITIES
Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, as set forth in
no-action letters to third parties, we believe that the new securities issued in
the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by
holders of those new securities, other than by any holder which is an
"affiliate" of BancFirst Ohio within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act. Those new securities may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:
- those new securities issued in the exchange offer are acquired
in the ordinary course of the holder's business; and
- the holder, other than a broker-dealer, has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the new securities to be issued in the
exchange offer.
However, the SEC has not considered our exchange offer in the context
of a no-action letter and we cannot guarantee that the staff of the SEC would
make a similar determination with respect to our exchange offer as in such other
circumstances.
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Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must furnish a written representation,
at our request, that:
- it is acquiring the new securities issued in the exchange
offer in the ordinary course of its business;
- it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of the new securities issued in the exchange
offer and has no arrangement or understanding to participate
in a distribution of new securities issued in the exchange
offer;
- it is not a broker-dealer that acquired old securities
directly from BancFirst Ohio or the Trust;
- it is not an affiliate of BancFirst Ohio; and
- it is not acting on behalf of any person who could not
truthfully make the foregoing representations.
Each broker-dealer that receives new securities issued in the exchange
offer for its own account in exchange for outstanding old securities must
acknowledge that the old securities were acquired by that broker-dealer as a
result of market-making or other trading activities and that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of those new securities issued in the
exchange offer . See "Plan of Distribution" for a discussion of the exchange and
resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection with the exchange offer.
In addition, to comply with the state securities laws of certain
jurisdictions, the new securities issued in the exchange offer may not be
offered or sold in any state unless they have been registered or qualified for
sale in that state or an exemption from registration or qualification is
available and complied with by the holders selling the new securities. We have
agreed in the registration rights agreement that, prior to any public offering
of transfer restricted securities, we will register or qualify the transfer
restricted securities for offer or sale under the securities laws of any
jurisdiction requested by a holder, provided that we are not required to qualify
as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where
we would not otherwise be required to qualify, or to take any action that would
subject us to taxation or to general service of process in any jurisdiction
where we are not then so subject to taxation or service of process. Unless a
holder requests, we currently do not intend to register or qualify the sale of
the new securities issued in the exchange offer in any state where an exemption
from registration or qualification is required and not available. "Transfer
restricted securities" means each outstanding old security until:
- the date on which that old security has been exchanged by a
person other than a broker- dealer for a new security in the
exchange offer;
- following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the exchange
offer of the outstanding old security for a new security
issued in the exchange offer, the date on which the new
security issued in the exchange offer is sold to a purchaser
who receives from that broker-dealer on or prior to the date
of the sale a copy of this prospectus;
- the date on which that old security has been effectively
registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in
accordance with a shelf registration statement that we file in
accordance with the registration rights agreement; or
- the date on which that old security is distributed to the
public in a transaction under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
This summary describes the material provisions of the capital
securities. It is not complete and is subject to, and qualified by, the trust
agreement, including the definitions used in the trust agreement, and the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939. We have incorporated the definitions used in the trust
agreement in this prospectus. You can receive a complete copy of the form of
trust agreement by requesting a copy from BancFirst Ohio.
GENERAL
The terms of the new capital securities are the same as the old capital
securities, except as described in this prospectus. The descriptions in this
section describe the new capital securities and the old capital securities
unless we have stated otherwise.
The capital securities represent beneficial interests in the Trust. As
a holder of capital securities, you are entitled to a preference over the common
securities in certain circumstances with respect to distributions and amounts
payable on redemption of the capital securities or liquidation of the Trust, as
described under " -- Subordination of Common Securities." The trust agreement is
not qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, except upon
effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or the shelf
registration statement. By its terms, however, the trust agreement incorporates
certain provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, and, upon consummation of the
exchange offer or effectiveness of the shelf registration statement, the trust
agreement will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act.
The capital securities are limited to $20.0 million aggregate
liquidation amount at any one time outstanding, including any exchange capital
securities that may be issued from time to time in exchange for the capital
securities, as described under "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights." The
capital securities rank equal to, and payments will be made on a pro rata basis
with, the common securities, except as described under " -- Subordination of
Common Securities." The property trustee has legal title to the junior
subordinated debentures and holds them in trust for the benefit of you and the
other holders of the capital securities. Our guarantee for the benefit of the
holders of the capital securities is a guarantee on a subordinated basis with
respect to the capital securities, but will not guarantee payment of
distributions or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of the capital
securities when the Trust does not have funds legally available for such
payments. You should read "Description of Guarantee" for more information about
our guarantee.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions on the capital securities will be cumulative, and will
accumulate from October 18, 1999. Distributions will be made at the annual rate
of 9.875% of the stated liquidation amount, payable semi-annually in arrears on
the distribution dates, which are April 15 and October 15 of each year,
commencing April 15, 2000, to the holders of the capital securities on the
relevant record dates. The record dates will be the 1st day of the month in
which the relevant payment occurs. For a description of the circumstances under
which additional amounts may be paid on the capital securities, you should read
"Exchange Offer; Registration Rights." The amount of distributions payable for
any distribution period will be based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
If any distribution date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a business
day, the distribution date will be postponed to the next day that is a business
day without any additional payments for the delay, unless the distribution would
fall in the next calendar year, in which case the distribution date will be the
last business day of the calendar year. A business day means any day other than
a Saturday or a Sunday, or a
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day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or Wilmington, Delaware
are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.
The Trust's revenue available for distribution to holders of the
capital securities will be limited to our payments to the Trust under our junior
subordinated debentures. For more information, please refer to "Description of
Junior Subordinated Debentures - General." If we do not make interest payments
on the junior subordinated debentures, the property trustee will not have funds
available to pay distributions on the capital securities and on the common
securities. We have irrevocably guaranteed the payment of distributions if and
to the extent that the Trust has funds legally available to pay the
distributions. You should read " -- Description of Guarantee" for more
information about the extent of our guarantee.
OPTION TO DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS
As long as no event of default exists, we have the right under the
indenture to elect to defer the payment of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures, at any time or from time to time, for no more that 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods with respect to each deferral period, provided that no
deferral period will end on a date other than an interest payment date, or
extend beyond October 15, 2029, the stated maturity date of the junior
subordinated debentures. If we defer payments, the Trust will defer semi-annual
distributions on the capital securities during the deferral period. During any
deferral period, distributions will continue to accrue on the capital securities
and on any accrued and unpaid distributions, compounded semi-annually from the
relevant distribution date at the applicable distribution rate, which will be
equal to the applicable interest rate on the junior subordinated debentures. The
term distributions includes any accumulated additional distributions.
Before the end of any deferral period, we may extend the deferral
period, as long as the extension does not cause the deferral period to exceed 10
consecutive semi-annual periods, or, to end on a date other than an interest
payment date or extend beyond October 15, 2029. At the end of any deferral
period and upon the payment of all amounts then due on any interest payment
date, we may elect to begin a new deferral period, subject to the above
requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during a deferral period
until the deferral period ends. We must give the property trustee, the
administrative trustees and the debenture trustee notice of our election to
defer interest payments, or to extend a deferral period at least five business
days before the earlier of:
- the date the distributions on the capital securities would
have been payable, except for the election to begin a deferral
period; and
- the date the administrative trustees are required to give
notice to any securities exchange or automated quotation
system or to holders of the capital securities of the record
date or the date such distributions are payable, but in any
event not less than five business days prior to such record
date.
There is no limitation on the number of times that we may elect to
begin a deferral period. Please refer to "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences -- Original Issue Discount."
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During any deferral period, we may not:
- declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect
to, any of our common stock;
- make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
that rank equal or junior to the junior subordinated
debentures; or
- make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee of
the debt securities of any subsidiary if such guarantee ranks
equal or junior to the junior subordinated debentures.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during a deferral period we may make the
following payments:
- dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants
or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, our common
stock;
- any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance
of common stock under any such plan in the future, or the
redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto;
- payments under the guarantee;
- as a result of a reclassification of our common stock or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of our capital
stock for another class or series of our capital stock;
- the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our common
stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged; and
- purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common
stock or rights under any of our benefit plans for our
directors, officers or employees or any of our dividend
reinvestment plans.
We do not currently intend to exercise our right to defer payments of
interest on the junior subordinated debentures. Our obligations under the
guarantee to make payments of distributions is limited to the extent that the
Trust has funds legally available to pay distributions. You should read
"Description of Guarantee" for more information about the extent of our
guarantee.
REDEMPTION
Upon repayment on October 15, 2029 or prepayment, in whole or in part
prior to October 15, 2029, of the junior subordinated debentures (other than
following the distribution of the junior subordinated debentures to you as a
holder of the Trust's capital securities and us, as the holder of the Trust's
common securities), the property trustee will apply the proceeds from the
repayment or prepayment of the junior subordinated debentures (as long as the
property trustee has received written notice no later than 45 days before the
repayment) to redeem at the applicable redemption price (which may include a
premium) an amount of capital securities having an aggregate liquidation amount
equal to the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures paid to the
Trust. We will give notice of any redemption between 30 to 60 days prior to the
redemption date.
If we prepay less than all of the junior subordinated debentures on a
redemption date, then the property trustee will allocate the proceeds of the
prepayment on a pro rata basis among the capital securities and the common
securities. If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order to dissolve the
Trust, the junior subordinated debentures will be subject to optional prepayment
in whole, but not in part, on or after October 15, 2009.
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We will have the right to prepay the junior subordinated debentures:
- in whole or in part, on or after October 15, 2009; and
- in whole but not in part, at any time, if there are changes in
the bank regulatory, investment company or tax laws that would
adversely affect the status of the Trust, the capital
securities or the junior subordinated debentures.
We may have to obtain regulatory approval, including the approval of
the Federal Reserve Board before we redeem any junior subordinated debentures.
Please refer to "Description of Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Prepayment"
and " -- Special Event Prepayment" for information on prepayment of the junior
subordinated debentures.
LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST AND DISTRIBUTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and, after
satisfying the liabilities owed to the Trust's creditors, as required by
applicable law, we will have the right to distribute the junior subordinated
debentures to the holders of the capital securities and to us as holder of the
common securities. Our right to dissolve the Trust is subject to our receiving:
- an opinion of counsel to the effect that if we distribute the
junior subordinated debentures, the holders of the capital
securities will not experience a taxable event; and
- any required regulatory approval.
The Trust will automatically dissolve if:
- certain bankruptcy events occur, or we dissolve or liquidate;
- we distribute junior subordinated debentures having a
principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of the
capital securities to holders of the capital securities and
we, as sponsor, have given written directions to the property
trustee to dissolve the Trust (which direction is at our
option and, except as described above, wholly within our
discretion, as sponsor);
- the Trust redeems all of the capital securities as described
under " -- Redemption;" the Trust's term expires; or
- a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order for the
dissolution of the Trust.
If the Trust is dissolved for any of the above reasons, except for a
redemption of all capital securities, it will be liquidated by the trustees as
quickly as the trustees determine to be possible by distributing to holders of
the capital securities, after satisfying the liabilities owed to the Trust's
creditors, as provided by applicable law, junior subordinated debentures having
a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of the capital securities,
unless the property trustee determines that this distribution is not
practicable. If the property trustee determines that this distribution is not
practicable, the holders of the capital securities will be entitled to receive
an amount equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount plus accumulated and
unpaid distributions on the capital securities to the date of payment (such
amount being the "liquidation distribution") out of the assets of the Trust
legally available for distribution to holders, after satisfying the liabilities
owed to the Trust's creditors as provided by applicable law. If the liquidation
distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets
legally available to pay the full amount of the liquidation distribution, or if
a debenture event of default exists, the capital securities will have a priority
over the common securities. For more information, please refer to " --
Subordination of Common Securities."
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After the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of junior
subordinated debentures to holders of the capital securities:
- the capital securities will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding;
- DTC or its nominee will receive in respect of each registered
global certificate representing capital securities a
registered global certificate representing the junior
subordinated debentures to be delivered upon this
distribution; and
- any certificates representing capital securities not held by
DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent junior
subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the
liquidation amount of those capital securities, and bearing
accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the
accumulated and unpaid distributions on those capital
securities until such certificates are presented to the
administrative trustees or their agent for cancellation, in
which case we will issue to those holders, and the debenture
trustee will authenticate, a certificate representing the
junior subordinated debentures.
We cannot assure you of the market prices for the capital securities,
or the junior subordinated debentures that may be distributed to you in exchange
for the capital securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the Trust were to
occur. Accordingly, the capital securities that you purchased or received in the
exchange offer, or the junior subordinated debentures that you may receive upon
a dissolution and liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to the price
that you paid to purchase the capital securities offered by this prospectus.
If we elect not to prepay the junior subordinated debentures prior to maturity
and either elect not to or we are unable to liquidate the Trust and distribute
the junior subordinated debentures to holders of the capital securities, the
capital securities will remain outstanding until the repayment of the junior
subordinated debentures on October 15, 2029.
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
If we redeem the junior subordinated debentures, the Trust will redeem
capital securities at the applicable redemption price with the proceeds that it
receives from our redemption of the junior subordinated debentures. Any
redemption of capital securities will be made and the applicable redemption
price will be payable on the redemption date only to the extent that the Trust
has funds legally available to pay the applicable redemption price. For more
information, you should refer to " -- Subordination of Common Securities."
If the Trust gives a notice of redemption for the capital securities,
then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, to the extent
funds legally are available, with respect to:
- the capital securities held by DTC or its nominees, the
property trustee will deposit, or cause the paying agent to
deposit, irrevocably with DTC funds sufficient to pay the
applicable redemption price. For more information, you should
refer to " - Form, Denomination, Book--Entry Procedures and
Transfers."
- the capital securities held in certificated form, the property
trustee will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent funds
sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will
give the paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority
to pay the applicable redemption price to the holders upon
surrender of their certificates evidencing the capital
securities. For more information, you should refer to " --
Payment and Paying Agency."
The paying agent will initially be the property trustee and any
co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the
administrative trustees and us.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions payable on or before the
redemption date will be payable to the holders of the capital securities on the
relevant record dates for the related distribution dates. If the Trust gives a
notice of redemption and funds are deposited as required, then upon the date of
the deposit, all rights of the holders of the capital securities called for
redemption will cease, except the right of the holders of the capital securities
to receive the applicable redemption price, without interest, and the capital
securities called to be redeemed will cease to be outstanding.
If any redemption date for the capital securities is not a business
day, then the applicable redemption price, without interest or any other payment
in respect of the delay, will be paid on the next business day, except that, if
the next business day falls in the next calendar year, the payment shall be made
on the last business day of the calendar year. If payment of the applicable
redemption price is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the
Trust or by us pursuant to the guarantee:
- distributions on the capital securities will continue to
accumulate at the rate of 9.875% per year, from the redemption
date originally established by the Trust to the date such
applicable redemption price is actually paid; and
- the actual payment date will be the redemption date for
purposes of calculating the applicable redemption price.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed between 30 and 60 days before
the redemption date to each holder of capital securities at its registered
address. Unless we default in payment of the applicable redemption price on, or
in the repayment of, the junior subordinated debentures, on and after the
redemption date, distributions will cease to accrue on the capital securities
called for redemption.
Subject to applicable law, including, without limitation, U.S. federal
securities laws, we or our subsidiaries may at any time, and from time to time,
purchase outstanding capital securities in the open market or by private
agreement.
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES
Payment of distributions on, and the redemption price of, the capital
securities and the common securities, as applicable, will generally be made on a
pro rata basis. However, if a debenture event of default exists on any
distribution or redemption date, no payment of any distribution on, or
applicable redemption price of, any of the common securities, and no other
payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of the
common securities, will be made unless payment in full in cash of all
accumulated and unpaid distributions on all of the outstanding capital
securities for all distribution periods terminating on or before the
distribution or redemption date, or payment of the applicable redemption price
is made in full. All funds available to the property trustee will first be
applied to the payment in full in cash of all distributions on, or redemption
price of, the capital securities then due and payable.
In the case of any event of default, we, as holder of all of the common
securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to the
event of default until the effect of the event of default has been cured, waived
or otherwise eliminated. Until any event of default has been cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the
holders of the capital securities and not on our behalf, and only the holders of
the capital securities will have the right to direct the property trustee to act
on their behalf.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
An event of default under the indenture constitutes an event of default
under the trust agreement. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures --
Debenture Events of Default."
The trust agreement provides that within ten (10) business days after a
responsible officer of the property trustee has actual knowledge of the
occurrence of any event of default, the property trustee will give notice of the
event of default to the holders of the capital securities, the administrative
trustees and to us, as sponsor, unless the event of default has been cured or
waived. We, as sponsor, and the administrative trustees are required to file
annually with the property trustee a certificate as to whether we and the
administrative trustees have complied with the applicable conditions and
covenants of the trust agreement.
If a debenture event of default exists, the capital securities will
have a preference over the common securities as described under " -- Liquidation
of the Trust and Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures" and " --
Subordination of Common Securities." An event of default does not entitle the
holders of capital securities to accelerate the maturity date of the capital
securities.
REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
Unless a debenture event of default exists, we may remove the property
trustee and the Delaware trustee at any time. If a debenture event of default
exists, the property trustee and the Delaware trustee may be removed only by the
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding capital
securities. In no event will the holders of the capital securities have the
right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees, because
these voting rights are vested exclusively in us as the holder of all of the
common securities. No resignation or removal of the property trustee or the
Delaware trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective
until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with
the trust agreement.
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
If an issuer trustee that is not a natural person is merged, converted
or consolidated into another entity, or such issuer trustee is a party to a
merger, conversion or consolidation which results in a new entity, or an entity
succeeds to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of such
issuer trustee, the new entity shall be the successor of such issuer trustee
under the trust agreement, provided that the entity is otherwise qualified and
eligible.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST
The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of its properties
and assets to any corporation or other entity, except as described below or as
otherwise described under " -- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debentures." The Trust may, at our request, as sponsor, and
with the consent of the administrative trustees but without the consent of the
holders of the capital securities, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate
or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of its
properties and assets to a trust organized as such under the laws of any state;
provided, that:
- the successor either:
(a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with
respect to the capital securities; or
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(b) substitutes securities for the capital securities that
have substantially the same terms as the capital
securities so long as the substitute securities rank equal
to same as the capital securities in priority with respect
to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise;
- we appoint a trustee of the successor possessing the same
powers and duties as the property trustee with respect to the
junior subordinated debentures;
- the substitute securities are listed, or any substitute
securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on
any national securities exchange or other organization on
which the capital securities are then listed or quoted, if
any;
- if the capital securities, substitute securities or junior
subordinated debentures are rated by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization prior to such transaction, the
transaction does not cause any of those securities to be
downgraded by the rating organization;
- the transaction does not adversely affect the rights,
preferences and privileges of the holders of the capital
securities (including any successor securities) in any
material respect;
- the successor has a purpose substantially identical to that of
the Trust;
- prior to the transaction, we received an opinion from
independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters
to the effect that:
(a) the transaction does not adversely affect the rights,
preferences and privileges of the holders of the capital
securities (including any successor securities) in any
material respect (other than any dilution of such
holders' interests in the new entity);
(b) following the transaction, neither the Trust nor the
successor will be required to register as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act;
(c) continue to be classified as a grantor trust; and
- we, or any permitted successor or assignee owns all of the
common securities of the successor and guarantees the
obligations of the successor under the substituted securities
at least to the extent provided by the guarantee and the
common securities guarantee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may not, except with the
consent of holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the capital securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as
an entirety to, any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if the transaction would cause the
Trust or the successor not to be classified as a grantor trust.
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
Except as provided below and under " -- Mergers, Consolidations,
Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust" and "Description of Guarantee --
Amendments and Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the trust
agreement, the holders of the capital securities will have no voting rights.
We, together with the property trustee and the administrative trustees,
may amend the trust agreement from time to time, without the consent of the
holders of the capital securities:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the
trust agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to make
any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the
trust agreement, which are not inconsistent with the other provisions of the
trust agreement; or
(2) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the trust
agreement as is necessary to ensure that at all times that any capital
securities are outstanding, the Trust will not be classified as an association
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taxable as a corporation or to enable the Trust to qualify as a grantor trust,
in each case for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or to ensure that the Trust
will not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act;
(3) to modify, eliminate or add any provisions of the trust agreement
as is necessary to enable us or the Trust to conduct an exchange offer in the
manner contemplated by the registration rights agreement;
provided, however, that in the case of clause (1) and (3) the amendment would
not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the
capital securities. Any amendments of the trust agreement pursuant to the
foregoing shall become effective when notice of the amendment is given to the
holders of the capital securities.
We, together with the trustees, may amend the trust agreement:
- with the consent of holders representing a majority (based
upon liquidation amount) of the outstanding capital
securities; and
- upon receipt by the trustees of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that the amendment
or the exercise of any power granted to the trustees in
accordance with the amendment will not affect the Trust's
classification as an entity that is not taxable as a
corporation or as being a grantor trust for U.S. federal
income tax purposes or the Trust's exemption from status as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act;
provided that, without the consent of each holder of capital securities, no
amendment may change the amount or timing of any distribution on the capital
securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any distribution required
to be made in respect of the capital securities as of a specified date; or
restrict the right of a holder of capital securities to sue for the enforcement
of any payment on or after the specified date.
So long as the property trustee holds any junior subordinated
debentures, the trustees may not:
- direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or execute
any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee with
respect to the junior subordinated debentures;
- waive certain past defaults under the indenture;
- exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration
accelerating the maturity of the principal of the junior
subordinated debentures; or
- consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
indenture or the junior subordinated debentures, where such
consent shall be required,
without, in each case, obtaining the prior consent of the holders of a majority
in liquidation amount of all outstanding capital securities; provided, however,
that where a consent under the indenture would require the consent of each
holder of junior subordinated debentures affected by the amendment, modification
or termination, the property trustee will not give consent without the prior
approval of each holder of the capital securities.
The trustees will not revoke any action previously authorized or
approved by a vote of the holders of the capital securities, except by
subsequent vote of such holders. The property trustee shall notify each holder
of capital securities of any notice of default it receives with respect to the
junior subordinated debentures. In addition to obtaining the approvals of the
holders of the capital securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions,
the trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to
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the effect that the Trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes on account of such action.
Any required approval of holders of capital securities may be given at
a meeting of the holders convened for the purpose of approving the matter or
pursuant to written consent. The property trustee will cause a notice of any
meeting at which holders of capital securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such holders has been taken, to
be given to each holder of record of capital securities in accordance with the
trust agreement.
No vote or consent of the holders of capital securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel the capital securities in accordance
with the trust agreement.
Notwithstanding that holders of the capital securities are entitled to
vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
capital securities that are owned by us, the trustees or any of our or any
trustee's affiliates, shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as
if they were not outstanding.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
The Trust will make payments on the capital securities that are held in
global form to DTC, which will credit the relevant accounts at DTC on the
applicable distribution dates. The Trust will make payments on the capital
securities that are not held by DTC by mailing a check to the address of the
holder entitled to the payment as the holder's address appears on the register.
The paying agent will initially be the property trustee and any co-paying agent
chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the administrative trustees and
us. The paying agent will be permitted to resign as paying agent upon 30 days'
notice to the property trustee, the administrative trustees and us. In the event
that the property trustee is no longer the paying agent, the administrative
trustees will appoint a successor (which must be a bank or trust company
acceptable to the administrative trustees and us) to act as paying agent.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
The original capital securities were issued, and may be transferred,
only in blocks having a liquidation amount of not less than $100,000 (100
capital securities) and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any attempted
sale, transfer or other disposition of capital securities in a block having a
liquidation amount of less than $100,000 will be deemed to be void and of no
legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee will be deemed not to be
the holder of such capital securities for any purpose, including but not limited
to the receipt of distributions on such capital securities, and such purported
transferee will be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such capital
securities.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
The property trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the
capital securities.
The Trust will register transfers of the capital securities without
charge, except for any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer or exchange. The Trust will not be required to have
the transfer of the capital securities registered after they have been called
for redemption.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
Except if an event of default exists, the property trustee will
undertake to perform only the duties specifically set forth in the trust
agreement. After an event of default, the property trustee must exercise the
same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the property
trustee is not obligated to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the trust
agreement at the request of any holder of capital securities, unless it is
offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it
might incur. If no event of default exists and the property trustee is required
to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in
the trust agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of the
trust agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of the capital
securities or the common securities are entitled under the trust agreement to
vote, then the property trustee shall take such action as directed by us and, if
not directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable and in the best
interests of the holders of the capital securities and will have no liability,
except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
MISCELLANEOUS
The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the Trust so that:
- the Trust will not be deemed to be an investment company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;
- the Trust will be classified as a grantor trust for U.S.
federal income tax purposes; and
- the junior subordinated debentures will be treated as our
indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We, together with the administrative trustees, are authorized to take
any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of
the Trust or the trust agreement, that we and the administrative trustees
determine in our discretion is necessary or desirable, as long as it does not
materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the capital
securities.
The trust agreement provides that holders of the capital securities
have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional capital
securities and the issuance of capital securities is not subject to preemptive
rights.
The Trust may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge
any of its assets.
GOVERNING LAW
The trust agreement and capital securities will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to conflict of law principles.
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DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
This summary describes the material provisions of the junior
subordinated debentures. It is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by, the indenture. The indenture will not be qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act, except upon effectiveness of the exchange offer
registration statement or the shelf registration statement. However, by its
terms, the indenture will incorporate by reference certain provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act and upon consummation of the exchange offer or effectiveness
of the shelf registration statement, the indenture will be governed by and
subject to the Trust Indenture Act. We have incorporated the definitions used in
the indenture in this prospectus. You can obtain a copy of the indenture by
requesting it from BancFirst Ohio. Wilmington Trust Company will act as
debenture trustee under the indenture.
GENERAL
The Trust has invested the proceeds from the sale of the original
capital securities in the junior subordinated debentures issued by BancFirst
Ohio. The junior subordinated debentures bear interest at the annual rate of
9.875% of the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures, payable
semi- annually in arrears on interest payment dates of April 15 and October 15
of each year and at maturity to the person in whose name each junior
subordinated debenture is registered at the close of business on the relevant
record date. The first interest payment date for the junior subordinated
debentures will be April 15, 2000. The period beginning on October 18, 1999 and
ending on but excluding April 15, 2000 and each period beginning on and
including an interest payment date and ending on but excluding the next interest
payment date is an interest period.
We anticipate that, until the liquidation, if any, of the Trust, each
junior subordinated debenture will be held by the property trustee in trust for
the benefit of the holders of the capital securities. The amount of interest
payable for any interest period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any interest payment date would
otherwise fall on a day that is not a business day, the interest payment date
will be postponed to the next business day (without any interest or other
payment due to the delay), unless it would fall in the next calendar year, in
which case the interest payment date shall be the last business day of the
calendar year.
Accrued interest that is not paid on the applicable interest payment
date will bear additional interest (to the extent permitted by law) at the rate
of 9.875% per year, compounded semi-annually from the relevant interest payment
date. The term "interest" as used in this prospectus includes semi-annual
interest payments and interest on semi-annual interest payments not paid on the
applicable interest payment date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, if the maturity date
falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment of principal and interest
will be paid on the next business day, with the same force and effect as if made
on the maturity date, and no interest on such payments will accrue from and
after the maturity date.
The junior subordinated debentures were issued as a series of junior
subordinated deferrable interest debentures under the indenture.
The junior subordinated debentures will mature on October 15, 2029.
The junior subordinated debentures rank equal to all of our other
subordinated debentures which have been or may be issued to other trusts
established by us, in each case similar to the Trust, and are
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unsecured and rank subordinate and junior to all indebtedness for money that we
borrow to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture. See "--
Subordination."
We are a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve Board,
and substantially all of our operating assets are owned by First National. We
are a legal entity separate and distinct from our subsidiaries. Holders of
junior subordinated debentures should look only to us for payments on the junior
subordinated debentures. The principal sources of our income are dividends,
interest and fees from First National. We rely primarily on dividends from First
National to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our
outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. Dividend payments from
First National are subject to regulatory limitations, generally based on current
and retained earnings, imposed by the various regulatory agencies with authority
over First National. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, an insured
depositary institution such as First National is prohibited from making capital
distributions, including the payment of dividends, if, after making such
distribution, the institution would become "undercapitalized" (as such term is
used in the statute). Based on First National's current financial condition, we
do not expect that this provision will have any impact on our ability to obtain
dividends from First National. At September 30, 1999, approximately $6.2 million
of retained earnings of First National were available for dividend declaration
without prior regulatory approval. During the first nine months of 1999, First
National paid dividends of $5.0 million to us.
Payment of dividends by First National is also subject to First
National's profitability, financial condition and capital expenditures and other
cash flow requirements. The Federal Reserve Board has stated that, as a matter
of prudent banking, a bank or bank holding company should not maintain its
existing rate of cash dividends on common stock unless:
- the organization's net income available to common shareholders
over the past year has been sufficient to fund fully the
dividends, and
- the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent
with the organization's capital needs, asset quality, and
overall financial condition.
We cannot assure you that First National will be able to pay dividends at past
levels, or at all, in the future.
In addition to restrictions on the payment of dividends, First National
is subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of
credit to, and certain other transactions with, us and certain other affiliates,
and on investments in stock or other securities thereof. Such restrictions
prevent us and such other affiliates from borrowing from First National unless
the loans are secured by various types of collateral. Furthermore, such secured
loans, other transactions and investments by First National are generally
limited in amount as to us and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of the
First National's capital and surplus and as to us and all of such other
affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of the First National's capital and surplus.
As of September 30, 1999, approximately $8.4 million of credit was available to
us under this limitation, if adequate collateral would have been available to
secure such borrowings.
Because we are a holding company, our right to participate in any
distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the capital
securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution), is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary (including depositors, in the case
of First National), except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor
of that subsidiary. At September 30, 1999, our subsidiaries had total
liabilities, including deposits, of $1.1 billion. Accordingly, the junior
subordinated debentures are effectively subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of our subsidiaries (including First National's deposit liabilities)
and all liabilities of any of our future subsidiaries. The indenture does not
limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt by us or any
subsidiary, including senior indebtedness. See " -- Subordination."
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FORM, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
If the junior subordinated debentures are distributed to the holders of
the capital securities, the junior subordinated debentures may be represented by
one or more global certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the
nominee of DTC. The depositary arrangements for such junior subordinated
debentures are expected to be substantially similar to those in effect for the
capital securities.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
junior subordinated debentures will be made at the office of the debenture
trustee in Wilmington, Delaware or at the office of such paying agent or paying
agents as we may designate from time to time, except that, at our option,
payment of any interest may be made, except in the case of junior subordinated
debentures in global form:
- by check mailed to the address of the person or entity
entitled to the interest payment as such address shall appear
in the register for the junior subordinated debentures; or
- by transfer to an account maintained by the person or entity
entitled to the interest payment as specified in the register,
provided that proper transfer instructions have been received
by the relevant record date.
Payment of any interest on any junior subordinated debenture will be
made to the person or entity in whose name the junior subordinated debenture is
registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment
date, except in the case of defaulted interest. We may at any time designate
additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent; however
we will always be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment
for the junior subordinated debentures.
Any moneys deposited with the debenture trustee or any paying agent, or
then held by us, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on any junior subordinated debenture and remaining unclaimed
for two years after such principal (or premium, if any) or interest has become
due and payable shall, at our request, be repaid to us and the holder of the
junior subordinated debenture shall thereafter look, as a general unsecured
creditor, only to us for payment.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT DATE
So long as no debenture event of default exists, we will have the right
under the indenture to defer the payment of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures, at any time and from time to time, for no more than 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods for each deferral period, provided that no deferral period
shall end on a date other than an interest payment date or extend beyond October
15, 2029. At the end of a deferral period, we must pay all interest then accrued
and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate of 9.875% per year,
compounded semi-annually from the relevant interest payment date, to the extent
permitted by applicable law). During a deferral period, interest will continue
to accrue, and holders of the capital securities or, if the junior subordinated
debentures have been distributed to holders of the capital securities, holders
of junior subordinated debentures, will be required to include that deferred
interest in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes on an accrual
method of accounting prescribed by the Code and Treasury regulation provisions
on original issue discount prior to the receipt of cash attributable to that
income. See "Certain Federal IncomeTax Consequences -- Original Issue Discount."
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During any such deferral period, we may not:
- declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect
to, any of our capital stock;
- make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any of our debt
securities that rank equal to or junior to the junior
subordinated debentures; or
- make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
us of the debt securities of any of our subsidiaries
(including our guarantee of the capital securities of the
Trust and any other guarantees) if such guarantee ranks equal
or junior to the junior subordinated debentures other than:
- dividends or distributions in shares of, or options,
warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase
shares of, our common stock;
- any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the
issuance of stock under any such plan in the future,
or the redemption or repurchase of any rights
pursuant thereto;
- payments under the guarantee;
- as a result of a reclassification of our capital
stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or
series of our capital stock for another class or
series of our capital stock;
- the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged; and
- purchases of our common stock related to the issuance
of common stock or rights under any of our benefit
plans for our directors, officers or employees or any
of our dividend reinvestment plans.
We do not currently intend to exercise our option to defer payments of
interest on the junior subordinated debentures.
Before the end of any deferral period, we may extend the deferral
period, as long as no event of default exists and the extension does not cause
the deferral period to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, to end on a
date other than an interest payment date or to extend beyond October 15, 2029.
At the end of any deferral period and upon the payment of all then accrued and
unpaid interest (together with interest thereon at the rate of 9.875% per year,
compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law), we may
elect to begin a new deferral period, subject to the requirements set forth
herein. No interest will be due and payable during a deferral period until the
deferral period ends. We must give the property trustee, the administrative
trustees and the debenture trustee notice of our election at least five business
days before the earlier of:
- the date the distributions on the capital securities would
have been payable, except for the election to begin or extend
such deferral period;
- the date the administrative trustees are required to give
notice to any securities exchange or automated quotation
system on which the capital securities are listed or quoted or
to holders of capital securities of the record date for such
distributions; or
- the date such distributions are payable, but at least five
business days prior to the record date.
The debenture trustee will notify holders of the capital securities of
our election to begin or extend a new deferral period.
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There is no limit on the number of times that we may elect to begin a
deferral period.
OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT
The junior subordinated debentures will be prepayable, in whole or in
part, at our option on or after October 15, 2009, subject to our receipt of any
required regulatory approval, at an optional prepayment price equal to the
percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the junior subordinated
debentures specified below, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on
the junior subordinated debentures, if any, to the date of prepayment if
redeemed during the 12-month period beginning October 15 of the years indicated
below:
YEAR PERCENTAGE
2009...................................................................104.938%
2010...................................................................104.444%
2011...................................................................103.950%
2012...................................................................103.457%
2013...................................................................102.963%
2014...................................................................102.469%
2015...................................................................101.975%
2016...................................................................101.481%
2017...................................................................100.988%
2018...................................................................100.494%
2019 and thereafter....................................................100.000%
SPECIAL EVENT PREPAYMENT
If there are changes in the bank regulatory, investment company or tax
laws that adversely affect the status of the Trust, the capital securities or
the junior subordinated debentures, we may, at our option and at any time,
subject to our receipt of any required regulatory approval, prepay the junior
subordinated debentures, in whole but not in part, at any time within 90 days of
the change in the law, at the special event prepayment price. If we exercise our
option to prepay the junior subordinated debentures under these circumstances,
then the proceeds of that prepayment must be applied to redeem the capital
securities at a prepayment price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
junior subordinated debentures so prepaid, plus, in each case, accrued and
unpaid interest on the junior subordinated debentures, if any, to the date of
prepayment. See "Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption." The special
event prepayment price will be an amount equal to the greater of:
- 100% of the principal amount of the junior subordinated
debentures, or
- the sum, as determined by a quotation agent of the present
values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and
interest on the junior subordinated debentures from the
prepayment date to the maturity date, discounted to the
prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the adjusted
treasury rate,
plus, in the case of each of the above scenarios, accrued and unpaid interest
and liquidated damages, if any, to the date of prepayment.
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A change in the bank regulatory law means our receipt of an opinion of
independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of:
- any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, any laws or regulations of the United
States or any rules, guidelines or policies of an applicable
regulatory agency or authority; or
- any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations,
which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is
announced on or after the date the capital securities are first issued, the
capital securities do not constitute, or within 90 days of the opinion will not
constitute, Tier 1 Capital (or its then equivalent if we were subject to such
capital requirement).
A change in the investment company law means the receipt by us and the
Trust of an opinion of independent securities counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that, as a result of:
- any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, any laws or regulations of the United
States or any rules, guidelines or policies of any applicable
regulatory agency or authority; or
- any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations,
which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is
announced on or after the date the capital securities are first issued, the
Trust is, or within 90 days of the date of the opinion will be, considered an
investment company that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act.
A change in tax law means the receipt by us and the Trust of an opinion
of independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a
result of:
- any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, any laws or regulations of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein; or
- any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations,
which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is
announced on or after the date the capital securities are first issued, there is
more than an insubstantial risk that:
- the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such
opinion, subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to
any income received or accrued on the junior subordinated
debentures;
- interest payable by us on the junior subordinated debentures
is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion will not
be, deductible by us, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes; or
- the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such
opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other
taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
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Adjusted treasury rate means, with respect to a prepayment date, the
rate per annum equal to:
- the yield, under the heading which represents the average for
the immediately prior week, appearing in the most recently
published statistical release designed "H.15 (519)" or any
successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal
Reserve Board and which established yields on actively traded
United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant
maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for
the maturity corresponding to the remaining life, as defined
below (if no maturity is within three months before or three
months after the maturity corresponding to the remaining life,
yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to the remaining life shall be determined, and
the adjusted treasury rate shall be interpolated or
extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis,
rounding to the nearest month), or
- if such release (or any successor release) is not published
during the week preceding the calculation date or does not
contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the
semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity to the comparable
treasury issue, calculated using a price for the comparable
treasury issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal
amount) equal to the comparable treasury price for such
prepayment date,
plus: 299 basis points.
Comparable treasury issue means the United States Treasury security
selected by the quotation agent (defined below) giving a maturity comparable to
the remaining life of the junior subordinated debentures that would be utilized,
at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is
within a period from three months before to three months after the remaining
life, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities, as
selected by the quotation agent, shall be used as the comparable treasury issue,
and the adjusted treasury rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a
straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month, using such securities.
Comparable treasury price means, with respect to a prepayment date:
- the average of three reference treasury dealer quotations for
such prepayment date, after excluding the highest and lowest
such reference treasury dealer quotations, or
- if the quotation agent obtains fewer than five such reference
treasury dealer quotations, the average of all such
quotations.
Quotation agent means the reference treasury dealer appointed by us.
Reference treasury dealer means a nationally recognized U.S. Government
securities dealer in New York, New York selected by us.
Reference treasury dealer quotations means, with respect to each
reference treasury dealer and the prepayment date, the average, as determined by
the debenture trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the comparable treasury
issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the debenture trustee by such reference treasury dealer at 5:00 p.m.,
New York time, on the third business day preceding such prepayment date.
Remaining life means the term of the junior subordinated debentures
from the prepayment date to the maturity date.
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We will mail any notice of prepayment between 30 and 60 days before the
prepayment date to each holder of junior subordinated debentures to be prepaid
at its registered address. Unless we default in payment of the prepayment price,
on the prepayment date interest shall cease to accrue on the junior subordinated
debentures called for prepayment.
If the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties or other
governmental charges as a result of a change in the tax law, we will pay as
additional amounts on the junior subordinated debentures any amounts as may be
necessary in order that the amount of distributions then due and payable by the
Trust on the outstanding capital securities shall not be reduced as a result of
any additional sums, including taxes, duties or other governmental charges to
which the Trust has become subject as a result of a change in the tax law.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF BANCFIRST OHIO
We covenant that we will not:
(1) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our
capital stock;
(2) make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any of our debt securities that rank equal or
junior to the junior subordinated debentures; or
(3) make any guarantee payments with respect to any of our guarantees
of the debt securities of any of our subsidiaries if such guarantee ranks equal
or junior to the junior subordinated debentures, other than:
- dividends or distributions in shares of, or options,
warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase
shares of, our common stock;
- any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the
issuance of common stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such
rights pursuant thereto;
- payments under the guarantee;
- as a result of a reclassification of our common stock
or the exchange or conversion of one class or series
of our common stock for another class or series of
our common stock;
- the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our
common stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such common stock or the security being
converted or exchanged; and
- purchases of our common stock related to the issuance
of common stock or rights under any of our benefit
plans for its directors, officers or employees or any
of our dividend reinvestment plans,
if at such time:
- we have actual knowledge that there is any event that is, or
with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would
be, a debenture event of default and that we have not taken
reasonable steps to cure;
- we are in default with respect to our payment of any
obligations under the guarantee; or
- we have given notice of our election to exercise our right to
defer interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures
as provided in the indenture and the deferral period, or any
extension of the deferral period, is continuing.
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So long as the capital securities remain outstanding, we also will
covenant:
- to directly or indirectly maintain 100% direct or indirect
ownership of the common securities; provided, however, that
any of our permitted successors under the indenture may
succeed to our ownership of the common securities;
- to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trust to
remain a business trust, except in connection with the
distribution of junior subordinated debentures to the holders
of capital securities in liquidation of the Trust, the
redemption of all of the capital securities, or certain
mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by
the trust agreement;
- to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trust to
otherwise continue not to be classified as an association
taxable as a corporation and to be classified as a grantor
trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
- to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each holder of
capital securities to be treated as owning an undivided
beneficial interest in the junior subordinated debentures; and
- to not cause, as sponsor of the Trust, or permit, as holder of
the common securities, the dissolution, winding-up or
liquidation of the Trust, except as provided in the trust
agreement.
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
From time to time, we, together with the debenture trustee, may,
without the consent of the holders of junior subordinated debentures, amend the
indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things, curing
ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies and to enable us and the Trust to
conduct and exchange offer as contemplated by the registration rights agreement,
provided that any amendment in the indenture does not materially adversely
affect the interest of the holders of junior subordinated debentures, and
qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act.
The indenture permits us and the debenture trustee, with the consent of
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated
debentures, to modify the indenture in a manner affecting the rights of the
holders of the junior subordinated debentures; provided that no modification
may, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding subordinated
debenture affected:
- change the stated maturity date, or reduce the principal
amount, of the junior subordinated debentures;
- reduce the amount payable on prepayment or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest, except pursuant to our
right under the indenture to defer the payment of interest.
Please refer to " -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date";
- make the principal of, (or premium, if any) or interest on,
the junior subordinated debentures payable in any coin or
currency other than that provided in the junior subordinated
debentures;
- impair or affect the right of any holder of junior
subordinated debentures to institute suit for the payment
thereof; or
- reduce the percentage of the principal amount of the junior
subordinated debentures, the holders of which are required to
consent to any such modification.
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DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
A "debenture event of default" is:
- our failure for 30 days to pay any interest (including
compounded interest and additional sums, if any), or
liquidated damages, if any, on the junior subordinated
debentures or any other debentures when due (subject to the
deferral of any interest due date in the case of a deferral
period with respect to the junior subordinated debentures or
other debentures as the case may be);
- our failure to pay any principal or premium, if any, on the
junior subordinated debentures or any other debentures when
due whether at maturity, upon prepayment, by accelerating the
maturity or otherwise;
- our failure to observe or perform, in any material respect,
any other covenant contained in the indenture for 90 days
after written notice to us from the debenture trustee or to us
and the debenture trustee from the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate outstanding principal amount of junior subordinated
debentures; or
- certain events related to our bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization.
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the junior subordinated debentures have, subject to certain exceptions, the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the debenture trustee. The debenture trustee or the holders
of not less than 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the junior
subordinated debentures may declare the principal due and payable immediately
upon a debenture event of default. The holders of a majority in aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures may annul
this declaration and waive the default if the default (other than the
non-payment of the principal of the junior subordinated debentures which has
become due solely by such acceleration) has been cured and a sum sufficient to
pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by
acceleration has been deposited with the debenture trustee.
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the junior subordinated debentures affected may, on behalf of the holders of all
the junior subordinated debentures, waive any past default, except a default in
the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest (including additional
sums and compounded interest, if any), or liquidated damages, if any, (unless
such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments
of interest and principal (and premium, if any) due otherwise than by
acceleration has been deposited with the debenture trustee) or a default in
respect of a covenant or provision which under the indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding junior
subordinated debenture.
The indenture requires that we file with the debenture trustee a
certificate annually as to the absence of defaults specified under the
indenture.
The indenture provides that the debenture trustee may withhold notice
of a debenture event of default from the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures if the debenture trustee considers it in the interest of the holders
to do so.
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
If a debenture event of default exists that is attributable to our
failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including
compounded interest and additional sums, if any), or liquidated damages, if any,
on the junior subordinated debentures on the due date, a holder of capital
securities may institute a direct action. We may not amend the indenture to
remove this right to bring a direct action
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without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the capital
securities. Notwithstanding any payments that we make to a holder of capital
securities in connection with a direct action, we shall remain obligated to pay
the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including compounded interest
and additional sums, if any) on the junior subordinated debentures, and we shall
be subrogated to the rights of the holder of the capital securities with respect
to payments on the capital securities to the extent that we make any payments to
a holder in any direct action.
The holders of the capital securities will not be able to exercise
directly any remedies, other than those described in the above paragraph,
available to the holders of the junior subordinated debentures, unless an event
of default exists under the trust agreement. See "Description of Capital
Securities -- Events of Default; Notice."
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
The indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge into
any other person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our
properties to any person, and no person shall consolidate with or merge into us
or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties to us,
unless:
- in case we consolidate with or merge into another person or
convey or transfer all or substantially all of our properties
to any person, the successor is organized under the laws of
the United States or any state or the District of Columbia,
and the successor expressly assumes our obligations under the
indenture with respect to the junior subordinated debentures;
- immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no
debenture event of default, and no event which, after notice
or lapse of time or both, would become a debenture event of
default, exists; and
- certain other conditions as prescribed in the indenture are
met.
The general provisions of the indenture do not afford holders of the
junior subordinated debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or
other transaction that we may become involved in that may adversely affect
holders of the junior subordinated debentures.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
The indenture provides that when, among other things,
- all junior subordinated debentures not previously delivered to
the debenture trustee for cancellation have become due and
payable or will become due and payable at maturity or called
for prepayment within one year, and
- we deposit or cause to be deposited with the debenture trustee
funds, in trust, for the purpose and in an amount sufficient
to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the junior
subordinated debentures not previously delivered to the
debenture trustee for cancellation, for the principal (and
premium, if any) and interest (including compounded interest
and additional sums, if any) to the date of the prepayment or
to October 15, 2029, as the case may be,
then the indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to our
obligations to pay all other sums due pursuant to the indenture and to provide
the officers' certificates and opinions of counsel), and we will be deemed to
have satisfied and discharged the indenture.
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SUBORDINATION
We have promised that any of our junior subordinated debentures issued
under the indenture will be ranked junior to all of our senior indebtedness to
the extent provided in the indenture. Upon any payment or distribution of our
assets to creditors upon our liquidation, dissolution, winding up,
reorganization, assignment for the benefit of our creditors, marshaling of our
assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings
in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of us, the senior
indebtedness must be paid in full all allocable amounts (as defined below)
before the holders of the junior subordinated debentures will be entitled to
receive or retain any payment in respect thereof.
If the maturity of junior subordinated debentures is accelerated, the
holders of all senior indebtedness outstanding at such time will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of such senior indebtedness before the
holders of junior subordinated debentures will be entitled to receive or retain
any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if
any, on the junior subordinated debentures.
No payments on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest,
if any, in respect of the junior subordinated debentures may be made if there
is:
- a default in any payment with respect to senior indebtedness;
- an event of default exists with respect to any senior
indebtedness that accelerates the maturity of the senior
indebtedness;
- or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to
the default.
This restriction does not apply if the total amount outstanding for such senior
indebtedness in default is less than $100,000; provided, the default does not
relate to the indebtedness under the loan agreement we currently have
outstanding with LaSalle National Bank.
Allocable amounts, when used with respect to any senior indebtedness,
means all amounts due or to become due on such senior indebtedness less, if
applicable, any amount which would have been paid to, and retained by, the
holders of such senior indebtedness (whether as a result of the receipt of
payments by the holders of such senior indebtedness from us or any other obligor
thereon or from any holders of, or trustee in respect of, other indebtedness
that is subordinate and junior in right of payment to such senior indebtedness
pursuant to any provision of such indebtedness for the payment over of amounts
received on account of such indebtedness to the holders of such senior
indebtedness or otherwise) but for the fact that such senior indebtedness is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to (or subject to a requirement that
amounts received on such senior indebtedness be paid over to obligees on) trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business.
Indebtedness for money borrowed means any obligation of or any
obligation guaranteed by us, to repay borrowed money, whether or not evidenced
by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments; except that
indebtedness for money borrowed does not include trade accounts payable or
accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business.
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Indebtedness ranking on a parity with the junior subordinated debentures means:
- indebtedness for money borrowed, whether outstanding on the
date the indenture is executed or created, assumed or incurred
after the date that the indenture is executed, to the extent
the indebtedness for money borrowed by its terms ranks equal
to and not prior to the subordinated debentures in the right
of payment upon the happening of our dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization; and
- all other debt securities, and guarantees in respect of those
debt securities, issued to any trust other than the Trust, or
a trustee of the trust, partnership or other entity affiliated
with us, that is our financing vehicle (a "financing entity"),
in connection with the issuance by the financing entity of
equity securities or other securities guaranteed by us
pursuant to an instrument that ranks equal to, with or junior
to the guarantee. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise
constituting indebtedness ranking on a parity with the
subordinated debentures shall not be deemed to prevent such
indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking on a
parity with the junior subordinated debentures.
Indebtedness ranking junior to the junior subordinated debentures means
any indebtedness for money borrowed, whether outstanding on the date the
indenture is executed or created, assumed or incurred after the date the
indenture is executed, to the extent the indebtedness for money borrowed by its
terms ranks junior to and not equal to or prior to the junior subordinated
debentures (and any other indebtedness ranking on a parity with the junior
subordinated debentures) in right of payment upon the happening of our
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization. The securing of any
indebtedness for money borrowed otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking
junior to the junior subordinated debentures shall not be deemed to prevent the
indebtedness for money borrowed from constituting indebtedness ranking junior to
the junior subordinated debentures.
Senior indebtedness means all indebtedness for money borrowed, whether
outstanding on the date the indenture is executed or created, assumed or
incurred after the date the indenture is executed, except indebtedness ranking
on a parity with the junior subordinated debentures or indebtedness ranking
junior to the junior subordinated debentures, and any deferrals, renewals or
extensions of the senior indebtedness.
We are a bank holding company and almost all of our operating assets
are owned by First National. We rely primarily on dividends from First National
to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding
debt obligations and corporate expenses. We are a legal entity separate and
distinct from its subsidiaries. Holders of junior subordinated debentures should
look only to us for payments on the junior subordinated debentures. There are
regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends directly or indirectly to us
from First National. See " -- General." In addition, First National is subject
to certain restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to,
and certain other transactions with, us and certain other affiliates, and on
investments in stock or other securities thereof. Such restrictions prevent us
and such other affiliates from borrowing from First National unless the loans
are secured by various types of collateral. Further, such secured loans, other
transactions and investments by First National are generally limited in amount
as to us and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of First National's
capital and surplus and as to us and all of such other affiliates to an
aggregate of 20% of First National's capital and surplus. Accordingly, the
junior subordinated debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities of our subsidiaries.
Because we are a bank holding company, our right to participate in any
distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the capital
securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution), is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary (including depositors, in the case
of First National), except to the extent we may be recognized as a creditor of
that subsidiary. At September 30, 1999, our subsidiaries had total
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liabilities, including deposits, of $1.1 billion. Accordingly, the junior
subordinated debentures are effectively subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of our subsidiaries (including First National's deposit liabilities)
and all liabilities of any of our future subsidiaries. The indenture does not
limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of us or any
subsidiary, including senior indebtedness.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
The junior subordinated debentures were issued and may be transferred
only in blocks having an aggregate principal amount of not less than $100,000
(100 junior subordinated debentures) and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Any attempted transfer of junior subordinated debentures in a block having an
aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000 will be deemed to be void and
of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not
to be the holder of such junior subordinated debentures for any purpose,
including but not limited to the receipt of payments on such junior subordinated
debentures, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest
whatsoever in such junior subordinated debentures.
GOVERNING LAW
The indenture and the junior subordinated debentures will be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without
regard to conflict of law principles.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
Following the exchange offer and the qualification of the indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee will have and be subject to
all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture
trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the debenture
trustee is not obligated to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
indenture at the request of any holder of junior subordinated debentures, unless
offered reasonable indemnity by the holder against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The debenture trustee is not
required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of its duties under the indenture.
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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE
We delivered a guarantee at the same time the original capital
securities were issued. A new guarantee will be executed and delivered in this
exchange offer The terms of the new guarantee are the same as the original
guarantee, except as described in this section. The guarantee will not be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, except upon
effectiveness of the registration statement related to this exchange offer. This
summary of the material provisions of the guarantee is not complete and is
subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the guarantee and the Trust
Indenture Act. The guarantee trustee will hold the guarantee for the benefit of
the holders of the capital securities. You can obtain a copy of the guarantee by
requesting it from BancFirst Ohio. Wilmington Trust Company will act as
guarantee trustee under the guarantee.
GENERAL
We irrevocably agreed to pay in full on a subordinated basis, to the
extent set forth herein, the payments with respect to the capital securities to
the extent not paid by the Trust. The payments that are subject to the guarantee
are:
- any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid
on the capital securities, to the extent that the Trust has
funds legally available at that time;
- the applicable redemption price with respect to the capital
securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust
has funds legally available at that time; and
- upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
liquidation of the Trust (other than in connection with the
distribution of the junior subordinated debentures to holders
of the capital securities or the redemption of all capital
securities), the lesser of (a) the liquidation distribution,
to the extent the Trust has funds legally available at that
time, and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of capital securities
after satisfying the liabilities owed to the Trust's creditors
as required by applicable law.
The guarantee ranks subordinate and junior to all senior indebtedness
to the extent provided in the guarantee. See "--Status of the Guarantee." Our
obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by our direct payment of
the required amounts to the holders of the capital securities or by causing the
Trust to pay these amounts to the holders of the capital securities.
The guarantee is an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of
the Trust's obligations under the capital securities, but will apply only to the
extent that the Trust has funds sufficient to make these payments. If we do not
make interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures held by the Trust,
then it will not be able to pay you distributions on the capital securities and
will not have funds legally available. Please refer to the "Relationship among
the Capital Securities, the Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee" section
of this prospectus. The guarantee does not limit us from incurring or issuing
other secured or unsecured debt, including senior indebtedness, whether under
the indenture, any other indenture that we may enter into in the future or
otherwise.
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of
the capital securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee in
respect of our guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust power conferred
upon the guarantee trustee under our guarantee. Any holder of the capital
securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce their
rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against
the Trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.
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If we default on our obligation to pay amounts payable under the junior
subordinated debentures, theTrust will lack funds for the payment of
distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the capital securities or
otherwise, and the holders of the capital securities will not be able to rely
upon the guarantee for payment of such amounts. Instead, if a debenture event of
default exists that is attributable to our failure to pay principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on the junior subordinated debentures on a payment
date, then any holder of capital securities may institute a direct action
against us pursuant to the terms of the indenture for enforcement of payment to
that holder of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on such junior
subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of the capital securities of that holder. In connection with
a direct action, we will have a right of set-off under the indenture to the
extent that we made any payment to the holder of capital securities in the
direct action. Except as described herein, holders of capital securities will
not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of
the junior subordinated debentures or assert directly any other rights in
respect of the junior subordinated debentures. The trust agreement provides that
each holder of capital securities by accepting the capital securities agrees to
the provisions of the guarantee and the indenture.
We will, through our guarantee, the trust agreement, the junior
subordinated debentures and the indenture, taken together, fully, irrevocably
and unconditionally guarantee all of the Trust's obligations under the capital
securities. No single document standing alone, or operating in conjunction with
fewer than all of the other documents, constitutes that guarantee. Only the
combined operation of these documents provides a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Trust's obligations under the capital securities.
You should refer to "Relationship among the Capital Securities, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee" for more information about our
guarantee.
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
Our guarantee constitutes an unsecured obligation and ranks subordinate
and junior to all senior indebtedness in the same manner as the junior
subordinated debentures. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures --
Subordination." In addition, because we are a holding company, our right to
participate in any distribution of First National's assets upon First National's
liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of
First National's creditors (including its depositors), except to the extent we
may be recognized as a creditor of First National. Accordingly, our obligations
under the guarantee effectively are subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of our present and future subsidiaries (including depositors of
First National). As a result, claimants should look only to our assets for
payments under the guarantee. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures
- -- General."
Our guarantee ranks equal to all of our other guarantees with respect
to preferred beneficial interests issued by other trusts. Our guarantee of the
Trust's capital securities does not limit the amount of secured or unsecured
debt, including senior indebtedness, that we or any of our subsidiaries may
incur. We expect from time to time that we will incur additional indebtedness
and that our subsidiaries will also incur additional liabilities. Our guarantee
constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection, enabling the
guaranteed party to institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce
their rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding
against any other person or entity. Our guarantee will be held for the benefit
of the holders of the capital securities. Our guarantee will not be discharged,
except by payment of the guarantee payments in full to the extent that the Trust
has not paid, or upon distribution of the junior subordinated debentures to, the
holders of the capital securities.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
There will be an event of default under the guarantee if we fail to
perform any of our payment or other obligations under the guarantee; except that
with respect to a default in payment of any guarantee payment, we shall have
received notice of default and shall not have cured the default within 60 days
after receipt of the notice. The holders of at least a majority in liquidation
amount of the capital securities will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee
trustee in respect of our guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or
power conferred upon the guarantee trustee under our guarantee.
Any holder of the capital securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce the rights of the holders of the capital
securities under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the Trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.
We, as guarantor, will be required to file annually with the guarantee
trustee a certificate regarding our compliance with the applicable conditions
and covenants under our guarantee.
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of holders of the capital securities (in which case no vote
will be required), the guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval
of the holders of a majority of the liquidation amount of such outstanding
capital securities. You should read "Description of Capital Securities -- Voting
Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement" for more information about the manner
of obtaining the holders' approval. All guarantees and agreements contained in
the guarantee agreement shall bind our successors, assigns, receivers, trustees
and representatives and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the capital
securities then outstanding.
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE
Our guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect
upon:
- full payment of the applicable redemption price of all
outstanding capital securities;
- full payment of the liquidation amount payable upon
liquidation of the Trust; or
- distribution of junior subordinated debentures to the holders
of the capital securities.
Our guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as
the case may be, if at any time any holder of the capital securities must
restore payment of any sums paid under the capital securities or the guarantee.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The guarantee trustee, except if we default under the guarantee, will
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the
guarantee and, in case a default with respect to the guarantee has occurred,
must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would
exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this
provision, the guarantee trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of the
powers vested in it by the guarantee at the request of any holder of the capital
securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses
and liabilities that it might incur.
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GOVERNING LAW
The guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE
FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
We have irrevocably guaranteed payments of distributions and other
amounts due on the capital securities to the extent the Trust has funds legally
available to pay distributions as and to the extent set forth under "Description
of Guarantee." Taken together, our obligations under the junior subordinated
debentures, the indenture, the trust agreement and the guarantee provide, a
full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Trust's payments of
distributions and other amounts due on the capital securities. No single
document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the
other documents constitutes this guarantee. Only the combined operation of these
documents effectively provides a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee
of the Trust's obligations under the capital securities.
If and to the extent that we do not make the required payments on the
junior subordinated debentures, the Trust will not have sufficient funds to make
its related payments, including distributions on the capital securities. Our
guarantee will not cover any payments when the Trust does not have sufficient
funds legally available to make those payments. Your remedy, as a holder of
capital securities, is to institute a direct action. Our obligations under the
guarantee are subordinate and junior to all senior indebtedness.
SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS
As long as we pay the interest and other payments when due on the
junior subordinated debentures, the Trust will have sufficient funds to cover
distributions and other payments due on the capital securities, primarily
because:
- the aggregate principal amount or prepayment price of the
junior subordinated debentures will equal the sum of the
liquidation amount or redemption price, as applicable, of the
capital securities;
- the interest rate and interest payment dates and other payment
dates on the junior subordinated debentures will match the
distribution rate and distribution payment dates and other
payment dates for the capital securities;
- as sponsor, we will pay for all and any costs, expenses and
liabilities of the Trust, except for the Trust's obligations
to holders of capital securities; and
- the trust agreement also provides that the Trust is not
authorized to engage in any activity that is not consistent
with its limited purposes.
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
You, as holder of capital securities, may institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce your rights under our guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee, the Trust or any
other person or entity.
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A default or event of default under any senior indebtedness would not constitute
a default or event of default under the trust agreement. However, if there are
payment defaults under, or accelerations of, senior indebtedness, the
subordination provisions of the indenture provide that we cannot make payments
in respect of the junior subordinated debentures until we have paid the senior
indebtedness in full or we have cured any payment default or a payment default
has been waived. Our failure to make required payments on junior subordinated
debentures would constitute an event of default under the trust agreement.
LIMITED PURPOSE OF THE TRUST
The capital securities represent beneficial interests in the Trust, and
the Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing and selling the capital
securities, using the proceeds from the sale of the capital securities to
acquire our junior subordinated debentures and engaging in only those other
activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto. A principal difference
between the rights of a holder of a capital security and a holder of a junior
subordinated debenture is that a holder of a junior subordinated debenture will
be entitled to receive from us the principal amount of (and premium, if any) and
interest on junior subordinated debentures held, while a holder of capital
securities is entitled to receive distributions from the Trust (or, in certain
circumstances, from us under our guarantee) if and to the extent the Trust has
funds legally available to pay the distributions.
RIGHTS UPON DISSOLUTION
Unless the junior subordinated debentures are distributed to holders of
the capital securities, if the Trust is voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved,
wound-up or liquidated, after satisfying the liabilities owed to the Trust's
creditors as required by applicable law, the holders of the capital securities
will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by the Trust, the liquidation
distribution in cash. See "Description of Capital Securities -- Liquidation of
the Trust and Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures."
If we are voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated or bankrupted, the
property trustee, as holder of the junior subordinated debentures, would be one
of our subordinated creditors, subordinated in right of payment to all senior
indebtedness, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal (and premium,
if any) and interest, before any of our stockholders receive payments or
distributions. Since we will be the guarantor under the guarantee and will agree
to pay all costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust (other than the Trust's
obligations to the holders of its capital securities), the positions of a holder
of capital securities and a holder of junior subordinated debentures relative to
other creditors and to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation or
bankruptcy are expected to be substantially the same.
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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
CLASSIFICATION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We intend to take the position that the junior subordinated debentures
will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as our indebtedness. We,
together with the Trust and the holders of the capital securities (by acceptance
of a beneficial interest in a capital security) will agree to treat the junior
subordinated debentures as our indebtedness for all U.S. federal income tax
purposes. We cannot be sure that this position will not be challenged by the IRS
or, if challenged, that the challenge will not be successful. The remainder of
this discussion assumes that the junior subordinated debentures will be
classified as our indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
GENERAL
In the opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP, special federal income tax
counsel to us and the Trust, the following describes the material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of a capital
security.
This summary addresses only the tax consequences to a person that
acquires a capital security on its original issuance at its original price and
that holds the security as a capital asset. This summary does not address all
tax consequences that may be applicable to a beneficial owner of a capital
security and does not address the tax consequences to holders subject to special
tax regimes (like banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated
investment companies, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies,
tax-exempt investors or persons that will hold a capital security as a position
in a "straddle," as part of a "synthetic security" or "hedge" or as part of a
"conversion transaction" or other integrated investment). This summary does not
include any description of any alternative minimum tax consequences or the tax
laws of any state or local government or of any foreign government that may
apply to a capital security. Except as noted below in the discussion of Non-U.S.
Holders, this discussion is addressed to a U.S. Holder, which is defined as a
beneficial owner of a capital security that, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, is (or is treated as):
- a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
- a corporation or partnership (or entity treated for federal
income tax purposes as a corporation or partnership) created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof;
- an estate the income of which is includible in gross income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regarding to its
source; or
- a trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the
trust and one or more U.S. persons have the ability to control
all substantial decisions of the trust.
This summary does not address the tax consequences to any shareholder,
partner or beneficiary of a holder of a capital security. This summary is based
on the Code, Treasury regulations thereunder and the administrative and judicial
interpretations thereof, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change, possibly on a retroactive basis. An opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP is
not binding on the IRS or the courts. No rulings have been or are expected to be
sought from the IRS with respect to any of the matters described herein. We can
give no assurance that the opinions expressed herein will not be challenged by
the IRS or, if challenged, that the challenge will not be successful.
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YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN,
AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR
OTHER TAX LAWS.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST
In connection with the original issuance of the capital securities,
Baker & Hostetler LLP rendered its opinion that, under then current law and
assuming full compliance with the terms of the trust agreement and the indenture
(and certain other documents), and based on certain facts and assumptions
contained in that opinion, the Trust will be classified for U.S. federal income
tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a
corporation. Accordingly, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust will
not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, and each holder of a capital security
will be required to include in its gross income any interest (or accrued
original issue discount), with respect to its allocable share of the junior
subordinated debentures.
INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Under the indenture, we have the right to defer the payment of interest
on the junior subordinated debentures at any time or from time to time for one
or more deferral periods not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods each,
provided that no deferral period shall end on a date other than an interest
payment date or extend beyond October 15, 2029. By reason of that right, the
Treasury regulations will subject the junior subordinated debentures to the
rules in the Code and Treasury regulations on debt instruments issued with
original issue discount, unless the indenture or junior subordinated debentures
contain terms or conditions that make the likelihood of exercise of the deferral
option remote. Under the Treasury regulations, a "remote" contingency that
stated interest will not be timely paid will be ignored in determining whether a
debt instrument is issued with original issue discount. Although the answer is
not clear, we believe that the likelihood that we would exercise our option to
defer payments of interest is "remote" since exercising that option would, among
other things, prevent us from declaring dividends on any class of our equity
securities. Accordingly, we intend to take the position that the junior
subordinated debentures will not be considered to be issued with original issue
discount and, accordingly, stated interest on the junior subordinated debentures
generally will be taxable to a holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid
or accrued in accordance with such holder's method of accounting.
Under the Treasury regulations, if we were to exercise our option to
defer payments of interest, the junior subordinated debentures would at that
time be treated as issued with original issue discount, and all stated interest
on the junior subordinated debentures would thereafter be treated as original
issue discount as long as the junior subordinated debentures remain outstanding.
If this occurred, all of a holder's interest income with respect to the junior
subordinated debentures would thereafter be accounted for on an economic accrual
basis regardless of such holder's method of tax accounting, and actual
distributions of stated interest would not be reported as taxable income.
Consequently, a holder of a capital security would be required to include in
gross income original issue discount even though we would not make actual cash
payments during a deferral period. The amount of such includible original issue
discount could be significant. Also, under the Treasury regulations, if the
option to defer the payment of interest were determined not to be "remote," the
junior subordinated debentures would be treated as having been originally issued
with original issue discount. In such event, a holder would be required to
include in gross income an amount of original issue discount each taxable year
that approximates the amount of interest that accrues on the junior subordinated
debentures at the stated interest rate, regardless of such holder's method of
tax accounting, and actual cash payments of interest on the junior subordinated
debenture would not be separately includible in gross income. These Treasury
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regulations have not yet been addressed in any rulings or other interpretations
by the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS could take a position contrary to
the interpretation described herein.
Because income on the capital securities will constitute interest or
original issue discount, corporate holders of the capital securities will not be
entitled to a dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized
with respect to the capital securities.
RECEIPT OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST
We will have the right at any time to liquidate the Trust and cause the
junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders of the trust
securities. Under current law, the liquidation of the Trust and the distribution
of the junior subordinated debentures to trust security holders, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, would be treated as a nontaxable event to each
holder, and the aggregate tax basis in the junior subordinated debentures
received by such holder would be equal to the holder's aggregate tax basis in
its capital securities surrendered. A holder's holding period in the junior
subordinated debentures received in liquidation of the Trust would be no shorter
than the period during which the capital securities were held by that holder.
The junior subordinated debentures may be prepaid in cash, and the
proceeds of that prepayment would be distributed to holders in redemption of
their capital securities. Under current law, that redemption would constitute,
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a taxable disposition of the redeemed
capital securities, the tax consequences of which are described below under
"--Sales or Redemptions of Capital Securities."
SALES OR REDEMPTIONS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
On a sale or redemption of a capital security for cash, a holder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between its adjusted tax basis in
the capital security and the amount realized on the sale or redemption of that
capital security. If the rules regarding original issue discount do not apply, a
holder's adjusted basis in a capital security generally will be its initial
purchase price, and if the holder uses an accrual method of accounting, the
holder will have a basis in any accrued but unpaid interest. If the rules
regarding original issue discount apply, a holder's adjusted basis in a capital
security generally will be its initial purchase price increased by any original
issue discount previously included in the holder's gross income to the date of
disposition and decreased by any payments received on the capital security. Gain
or loss recognized on a sale or redemption of a capital security will be capital
gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual in respect of a capital
security held for more than one year as of the date of sale or redemption is
subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20 percent.
The capital securities may trade at a price that discounts any accrued
but unpaid interest on the junior subordinated debentures. Therefore, the amount
realized by a holder who disposes of a capital security between distribution
payment dates and whose adjusted basis in the capital security has been
increased by the amount of any accrued but unpaid original issue discount (or
interest) may be less than the holder's adjusted basis in the capital security.
A holder's basis in a capital security could be increased either under the rules
regarding original issue discount or, if those rules do not apply, in the case
of a holder that uses an accrual method of accounting, under the accrual
accounting rules. In that case, the holder will recognize a capital loss.
Subject to a limited exception in the case of individual taxpayers, capital
losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
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EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
The exchange of the capital securities for exchange capital securities
pursuant to the exchange offer should not be treated as an exchange for federal
income tax purposes and, therefore, should not be a taxable event to holders for
United States federal income tax purposes, because the exchange capital
securities should not be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from
the capital securities and because the exchange will occur by operation of the
terms of the capital securities. If the exchange were treated as an exchange for
United States federal income tax purposes, such exchange should constitute a
recapitalization for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the exchange
capital securities should have the same issue price as the capital securities,
and a holder should have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in the
exchange capital securities as the holder had in the capital securities
immediately before the exchange.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
For purposes of this discussion, a "Non-U.S. Holder" generally is any
corporation, individual, partnership, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder
for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Under current U.S. federal income tax laws, subject to the discussion
below of backup withholding, payments by the Trust or any of its paying agents
to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax,
provided that (a) the Non-U.S. Holder does not own, actually or constructively,
ten percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our
stock entitled to vote, (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign
corporation that is related to us through stock ownership, (c) the Non-U.S.
Holder is not a bank whose receipt of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, and (d) either (A)
the Non-U.S. Holder certifies to the Trust or its agent, under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a U.S. Holder and provides its name and address or (B) a
securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds
customers' securities in the ordinary course of business (a "Financial
Institution") and holds the capital security in that capacity certifies to the
Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that the statement has been
received from the Non-U.S. Holder by it or by a Financial Institution between it
and the Non-U.S. Holder and furnishes the Trust or its agent with a copy
thereof. New Treasury regulations provides alternative methods for satisfying
the certification requirements described in clause (d), effective for certain
payments made after December 31, 2000.
If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United
States and interest on the capital securities (or the junior subordinated
debentures) is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business,
the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax discussed above,
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest on a net income
basis in generally the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. In addition, if
such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch
profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits that
are repatriated or treated as repatriated. For this purpose, the interest income
would be included in the foreign corporation's earnings and profits. In the case
of a Non-U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of a tax treaty with the United
States, the foregoing discussion generally applies only if the Non-U.S. Holder
is engaged in business in the United States through a U.S. permanent
establishment and the income on the junior subordinated debentures is
attributable to that permanent establishment within the meaning of the treaty,
and the rate of the branch profits tax may be limited to a rate prescribed by
the treaty for the withholding of tax on dividends. New final Treasury
regulations generally prescribe new methods for certifying that a Non-U.S.
Holder is exempt from the withholding of U.S. federal income tax by reason of
being engaged in trade or business or the United States.
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Any gain recognized upon a sale or other disposition of capital
securities (or junior subordinated debentures) generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax unless (1) the gain is, or is treated as, effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder or (2) in the
case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is an individual, that individual is present in
the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other
disposition, and certain other conditions are met.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX AND INFORMATION REPORTING
The amount of interest, including original issue discount, accrued on
capital securities held of record by U.S. persons (other than corporations and
other exempt holders) will be reported to the IRS. "Backup" withholding at a
rate of 31% will apply to payments of interest to non-exempt U.S. persons unless
the holder furnishes its taxpayer identification number in the manner prescribed
in applicable Treasury regulations, certifies that the number is correct,
certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and meets certain
other conditions.
Payment of the proceeds from the disposition of capital securities to
or through the United States office of a broker is subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the holder or beneficial owner
establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
Non-U.S. Holders are generally exempt from the information reporting
and backup withholding rules but may be required to comply with certain
certification and identification requirements to prove their exemption.
Any amount withheld from a holder under the backup withholding rules
will be allowed as a refund or credit against such holder's U.S. federal income
tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
It is anticipated that income on capital securities will be reported to
holders on Form 1099 (or any successor form) and mailed to holders of capital
securities by January 31 following each calendar year.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR SITUATION. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF A CAPITAL
SECURITY, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN U.S. FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
In evaluating the purchase of capital securities, a fiduciary of a
qualified profit-sharing, pension or stock bonus plan, including a plan for
self-employed individuals and their employees or any other employee benefit plan
subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), a collective investment fund or separate account in which such plans
invest and any other investor using assets that are treated as assets of an
employee benefit plan subject to ERISA (each, a "Plan" and collectively,
"Plans") should consider:
- whether the ownership of capital securities is in accordance
with the documents and instruments governing such Plan;
- whether the ownership of capital securities is solely in the
interest of Plan participants and beneficiaries and otherwise
consistent with the fiduciary's responsibilities and in
compliance with the requirements of Part 4 of Title I of
ERISA, including, in particular, the diversification, prudence
and liquidity requirements of Section 404 of ERISA and the
prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code;
- whether the assets of the Trust are treated as assets of the
Plan; and
- the need to value the assets of the Plan annually.
In addition, the fiduciary of an individual retirement arrangement under 408 of
the Code (an "IRA") considering the purchase of capital securities should
consider whether the ownership of the capital securities would result in a
non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 4975 of the Code.
Governmental plans and certain church plans (each as defined under
ERISA) are not subject to the prohibited transaction rules. Such plans may,
however, be subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations which may
affect their investment in the capital securities. Any fiduciary of such a
governmental or church plan considering an investment in the capital securities
should determine the need for, and the availability, if necessary, of any
exemptive relief under such laws or regulations.
The fiduciary investment considerations summarized below provide a
general discussion that does not include all of the fiduciary investment
considerations relevant to Plans and, where indicated, IRAs. This summary is
based on the current provisions of ERISA and the Code and regulations and
rulings thereunder, and may be changed (perhaps adversely and with retroactive
effect) by future legislative, administrative or judicial action.
PLANS AND IRAS THAT ARE PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
SHOULD CONSULT WITH AND RELY UPON THEIR OWN ADVISORS IN EVALUATING THESE MATTERS
IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
PLAN ASSET REGULATION
Under Department of Labor regulations governing what constitutes the
assets of a Plan or IRA ("Plan Assets") for purposes of ERISA and the related
prohibited transaction provisions of the Code (the "Plan Asset Regulation," 29
C.F.R. Sec. 2510.3-101), when a Plan or IRA acquires an equity interest in
another entity, and such interest does not represent a "publicly offered
security" nor a security issued by an investment company registered under the
1940 Act, the Plan's assets include both the equity interest and an undivided
interest in each of the underlying assets of the entity, unless it is
established either that the entity is an operating company or that equity
participation in the entity by "benefit plan investors," as
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defined in the Plan Assets Regulation, is not "significant." For purposes of the
Plan Asset Regulation, the Trust will be neither an investment company nor an
operating company.
Under the Plan Asset Regulation, equity participation by benefit plan
investors will not be considered "significant" on any date only if immediately
after the most recent acquisition of the capital securities, the aggregate
interest in the capital securities held by benefit plan investors will be less
than 25% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the capital
securities. Although it is possible that the equity participation by benefit
plan investors on any date will not be "significant" for purposes of the Plan
Asset Regulation, such a result cannot be assured. Consequently, if Plans, IRAs
or investors using assets of Plans purchase the capital securities, the Trust's
assets could be deemed to be "plan assets" of such Plans and/or IRAs for
purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and the prohibited
transactions rules of ERISA and the Code. Under ERISA and the Code, any person
who exercises any authority or control respecting the management or disposition
of the assets of a Plan or IRA is considered to be a fiduciary of such Plan or
IRA. The property trustee of the Trust could therefore become a fiduciary of the
Plans and IRAs that invest in the capital securities and be subject to the
general fiduciary requirements of ERISA in exercising its authority with respect
to the management of the assets of the Trust. However, the property trustee will
have only limited discretionary authority with respect to the Trust assets and
the remaining functions and responsibilities performed by the property trustee
will be for the most part custodial and ministerial in nature.
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
Each of the Trust, BancFirst Ohio (the obligor with respect to the
junior subordinated debentures held by the Trust) and their affiliates or the
property trustee may be a party in interest or a disqualified person with
respect to a Plan or IRA investing in the capital securities. Therefore, such
investment by a Plan or IRA may give rise to a prohibited transaction.
Consequently, before investing in the capital securities or acquiring junior
subordinated debentures, any person who is, or who is acquiring such securities
for, or on behalf of, a Plan or IRA should determine that either a statutory or
an administrative exemption from the prohibited transaction rules discussed
below or otherwise available is applicable to such investment in the capital
securities, or that such investment in, or acquisition of, such securities will
not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction.
The statutory or administrative exemptions from the prohibited
transaction rules under ERISA and the Code which may be available to a Plan or
IRA, which is investing in the capital securities include the following
(collectively referred to as the "ERISA Investor Exemptions"):
- Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 90-1,
regarding investments by insurance company pooled separate
accounts;
- PTCE 91-38, regarding investments by bank collective
investment funds;
- PTCE 84-14, regarding transactions effected by qualified
professional asset managers;
- PTCE 96-23, regarding transactions effected by in-house asset
managers; and o PTCE 95-60, regarding investments by insurance
company general accounts.
No person who is, or who in acquiring capital securities is using the
assets of, a Plan or IRA may acquire capital securities unless one of the ERISA
Investor Exemptions or another applicable exemption is available to the Plan or
IRA, or such acquisition or holding of the capital securities will not result in
a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction. The acquisition of the capital securities
by any person who is, or who in acquiring such capital securities is using the
assets of, a Plan or IRA shall be deemed to constitute a representation by such
person to the property trustee of the Trust, BancFirst Ohio and the initial
purchaser either that:
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- it is not a Plan, IRA, trustee or other person acting on
behalf of a Plan or IRA or other person or entity using the
assets of any Plan or IRA to finance such purchase; or
- such acquisition will not result in a prohibited transaction
under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for
which there is no applicable statutory or administrative
exemption.
In the case of capital securities delivered in certificated form, the
purchaser will be required to make such representation, in writing, to the
trustee of the Trust, BancFirst Ohio and the initial purchaser.
THE DISCUSSION OF ERISA HEREIN IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED
TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE. ANY FIDUCIARY OF A PLAN, IRA, GOVERNMENTAL PLAN OR CHURCH
PLAN CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT IN THE CAPITAL SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS
LEGAL ADVISORS REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH INVESTMENT AND CONSIDER
WHETHER THE PLAN OR IRA CAN MAKE THE REPRESENTATIONS NOTED ABOVE.
FURTHER, THE SALE OF INVESTMENTS TO PLANS AND IRAS IS IN NO RESPECT A
REPRESENTATION BY THE TRUST, BANCFIRST OHIO, THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE, THE INITIAL
PURCHASER OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
THAT SUCH SECURITIES MEET ALL RELEVANT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO
INVESTMENTS BY PLANS AND IRAS GENERALLY OR ANY PARTICULAR PLAN, OR THAT SUCH
SECURITIES ARE OTHERWISE APPROPRIATE FOR PLANS AND IRAS GENERALLY OR ANY
PARTICULAR PLAN.
ANY PURCHASER PROPOSING TO ACQUIRE CAPITAL SECURITIES WITH ASSETS OF
ANY PLAN OR IRA SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS COUNSEL.
EXCHANGE OFFER; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
We entered into a registration rights agreement with the Trust and the
initial purchaser for the benefit of the holders of the capital securities
wherein we and the Trust agreed, for the benefit of the holders of the capital
securities:
- - to use our best efforts to file with the Commission within 150 days
after the issue date the exchange offer registration statement relating
to the exchange offer for (a) the exchange capital securities, which
will have terms identical in all material respects to the capital
securities (except that the exchange capital securities will not
provide for any increase in the distribution rate thereon under the
circumstances described below), (b) the exchange guarantee, which will
have terms identical in all material respects to the guarantee, and (c)
the exchange debentures, which will have terms identical in all
material respects to the junior subordinated debentures (except that
the exchange debentures will not provide for any liquidated damages)
and
- - to use our best efforts to cause the exchange offer registration
statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within 180
days after the issue date. Promptly after the exchange offer
registration statement has been declared effective, we will offer the
exchange debentures in exchange for surrender of the junior
subordinated debentures, and the property trustee will be required
pursuant to the Indenture to so exchange all of the junior subordinated
debentures held thereby, and the Trust will offer the exchange capital
securities and we will offer the exchange guarantee in exchange for
surrender of the capital securities and the guarantee, respectively. We
and the Trust will keep the exchange offer open for not less than 30
calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date
notice of the exchange offer has been mailed to the holders of the
capital securities and the junior subordinated debentures. For each
capital security, guarantee or junior subordinated debenture validly
tendered to the Trust or us, as the case may be, pursuant to the
exchange offer and not validly withdrawn by the holder thereof, the
holder of such capital security,
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guarantee or junior subordinated debenture will receive an exchange
capital security having a liquidation amount equal to the liquidation
amount of the tendered capital security, an exchange guarantee or an
exchange debenture having a principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the tendered junior subordinated debentures, as applicable.
Distributions on each exchange capital security and interest on each
exchange debenture will accrue from the last date on which a
distribution or interest was paid on the capital security or junior
subordinated debentures tendered in exchange therefor or, if no
distribution or interest has been paid on such capital security or
junior subordinated debenture, from the date of original issuance.
Based on existing interpretations of the Securities Act by the staff of
the Commission set forth in several no-action letters to third parties, and
subject to the immediately following sentence, we and the Trust believe that the
exchange capital securities, exchange guarantee and exchange debentures issued
pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by the holders thereof (other than holders who are broker-dealers)
without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act. However, any purchaser of capital securities
who is an affiliate of the Trust or us or who intends to participate in the
exchange offer for the purpose of distributing the exchange capital securities,
or any broker-dealer who purchased the capital securities from the Trust to
resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act:
- will not be able to rely on the interpretation of the staff
set forth in the above-mentioned no-action letters;
- will not be entitled to tender its capital securities in the
exchange offer; and
- must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale
or transfer of the capital securities or junior subordinated
debentures and the guarantee unless such sale or transfer is
made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements.
Neither us nor the Trust intends to seek our own no-action letter and
there can be no assurance that the staff would make a similar determination with
respect to the exchange capital securities, exchange guarantee and exchange
debentures as it has in such no-action letters to third parties.
Each holder of the capital securities (other than certain specified
holders) who wishes to exchange the capital securities for exchange capital
securities in the exchange offer will be required to represent that:
- it is not an affiliate of the Trust or us;
- the exchange capital securities to be received by it were
acquired in the ordinary course of its business; and
- at the time of the exchange offer, it has no arrangement with
any person to participate in the distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of the exchange capital
securities.
In addition, in connection with any resales of exchange capital
securities, any broker-dealer (a "participating broker-dealer") who acquired the
capital securities for its own account as a result of market-making or other
trading activities must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act. The Commission has taken the position that participating
broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect
to the exchange capital securities (other than a resale of an unsold allotment
from the original sale of the capital securities) with the prospectus contained
in the exchange offer registration statement. Under the registration rights
agreement, the Trust is required to allow participating broker-dealers and other
persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus delivery requirements to use the
prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement in connection
with the resale of such exchange capital securities.
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In the event:
- because of any change in law or in the applicable
interpretations of the staff, we and the Trust are not
permitted to effect the exchange offer;
- we shall determine in good faith that there is a reasonable
likelihood, or that a material uncertainty exists as to
whether, consummation of the exchange offer would result in a
material adverse tax consequence to us; or
- for any reason the exchange offer registration statement is
not declared effective within 180 days of the issue date, or
in certain other circumstances, then in lieu of effecting the
registration of the exchange capital securities pursuant to
the exchange offer registration statement, the administrative
trustees on behalf of the Trust will (x) promptly deliver to
the holders and the Delaware trustee written notice thereof
and (y) at our sole expense, (a) as promptly as practicable,
file the shelf registration statement, (b) use our best
efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be
declared effective under the Securities Act and (c) use our
best efforts to keep effective the shelf registration
statement until the earlier of two years after the issue date
or such time as all of the applicable capital securities, the
guarantee and the junior subordinated debentures have been
sold thereunder or otherwise cease to be registrable
securities within the meaning of the registration rights
agreement. We will, in the event that a shelf registration
statement is filed, provide to each holder copies of the
prospectus that is a part of the shelf registration statement,
notify each such holder when the shelf registration statement
for the capital securities, the guarantee and the junior
subordinated debentures has become effective and take certain
other actions as are required to permit unrestricted resales
of the capital securities, the guarantee and the junior
subordinated debentures. A holder that sells capital
securities, the guarantee and the junior subordinated
debentures pursuant to the shelf registration statement
generally will be required to be named as a selling security
holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus
to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil
liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection
with such sales and will be bound by the provisions of the
registration rights agreement that are applicable to such a
holder (including certain indemnification rights and
obligations). In addition, each holder of capital securities
may be required to deliver information to be used in
connection with the shelf registration statement in order to
have its capital securities, guarantee and junior subordinated
debentures included in the shelf registration statement and to
benefit from the provisions of the succeeding paragraph.
Each capital security, the guarantee and each junior subordinated
debenture contained a legend to the effect that the holder thereof, by its
acceptance thereof, was deemed to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of
the registration rights agreement. In that regard, each holder will be deemed to
have agreed that, upon receipt of notice from us of the occurrence of any event
which makes a statement in the prospectus which is part of the shelf
registration statement (or, in the case of participating broker-dealers, the
prospectus which is part of the exchange offer registration statement) untrue in
any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in such
prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading or of certain
other events specified in the registration rights agreement, such holder (or
participating broker-dealer, as the case may be) will suspend the sale of
capital securities, the guarantee and the junior subordinated debentures
pursuant to such prospectus until we have amended or supplemented such
prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of
the amended or supplemented prospectus to such holder (or participating
broker-dealer, as the case may be) or we have given notice that the sale of the
capital securities, the guarantee and the junior subordinated debentures may be
resumed, as the case may be.
If we give such notice to suspend the sale of the capital securities,
the guarantee and the junior subordinated debentures, we will extend the
relevant period referred to above during which we and the Trust are required to
keep effective the shelf registration statement (or the period during which
participating broker-dealers are entitled to use the prospectus included in the
exchange offer registration statement in connection with the resale of exchange
capital securities, exchange guarantee or exchange
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debentures, as the case may be) 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
holders shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
necessary to permit resales of the capital securities, the guarantee and the
junior subordinated debentures or to and including the date on which we have
given notice that the sale of capital securities may be resumed, as the case may
be.
If we or the Trust fail to comply with the registration rights
agreement or if the exchange offer registration statement or the shelf
registration statement fails to become effective, then liquidated damages (the
"liquidated damages") shall become payable in respect of the junior subordinated
debentures, and corresponding additional distributions (the "additional
distributions") shall become payable on the capital securities, as follows:
(i) if neither the exchange offer registration statement nor a shelf
registration statement is filed with the Commission on or prior to the
150th day after the issue date (in the case of an exchange offer
registration statement) or on or prior to the date required by the
registration rights agreement (in the case of a shelf registration
statement), liquidated damages shall accrue on the principal amount of the
junior subordinated debentures, and additional distributions shall
accumulate on the liquidation amount of the capital securities, each at a
rate of 25 basis points per annum; or
(ii) if neither the exchange offer registration statement nor a shelf
registration statement is declared effective by the Commission on or prior
to the 180th day after the issue date (in the case of an exchange offer
registration statement) or on or prior to the later of the 30th day after
the date such registration statement was required to be filed and the
180th day after the issue date (in the case of a shelf registration
statement), liquidated damages shall accrue on the principal amount of the
junior subordinated debentures, and additional distributions shall
accumulate on the liquidation amount of the capital securities, each at a
rate of 25 basis points per annum; or
(iii) if (A) the Trust has not exchanged exchange capital securities
for all capital securities or we have not exchanged the exchange guarantee
for the guarantee or exchange debentures for all junior subordinated
debentures validly tendered, in accordance with the terms of the exchange
offer, on or prior to the 45th 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 or usable for resales
at any time prior to the second anniversary of the issue date (other than
after such time as all capital securities have been disposed of thereunder
or otherwise cease to be registrable securities within the meaning of the
registration rights agreement), then liquidated damages shall accrue on
the principal amount of junior subordinated debentures, and additional
distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the capital
securities, each at a rate of 25 basis points per annum commencing on (x)
the 46th day after such effective date, in the case of (A) above, or (y)
the day such shelf registration statement ceases to be effective or usable
for resales in the case of (B) above;
provided, however, that neither the liquidated damages rate on the junior
subordinated debentures, nor the additional distributions rate on the
liquidation amount of the capital securities, may exceed in the aggregate 25
basis points 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), (3) upon the exchange of exchange capital securities, the exchange
guarantee and exchange debentures for all capital securities, the guarantee and
junior subordinated debentures tendered (in the case of clause (iii) (A) above),
or at such time as the shelf registration statement which had ceased to remain
effective or usable for resales (in the case of clause (iii) (B) above) again
becomes effective or usable for resales, liquidated damages on the junior
subordinated debentures and additional distributions on the liquidation amount
of the capital securities as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause
thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
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Any amounts of liquidated damages and additional distributions due
pursuant to the foregoing paragraphs will be payable in cash on October 15 and
April 15 of each year to the holders of record on the 1st day of the month in
which the relevant payment occurs.
The registration rights agreement will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict
of law principles. The summary herein of certain provisions of the registration
rights agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the
registration rights agreement, a form of which is available upon request to us.
See "Available Information." In addition, the information set forth above
concerning certain interpretations of and positions taken by the staff is not
intended to constitute legal advice, and you should consult your own legal
advisors with respect to such matters.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account in
the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of those securities. This prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of new securities received in the exchange offer where
the old securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of ___ days after
the completion of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended
and supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
such resale.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new securities issued
in the exchange offer by broker-dealers. New securities issued in the exchange
offer received by broker-dealers for their own account under the exchange offer
may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the new securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at
market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such new securities. Any broker-dealer
that resells new securities that were received by it for its own account in the
exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of
such new securities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act, and profit on any such resale of new securities issued in
the exchange and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may
be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter
of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of ___ days after the completion of the exchange offer, we
will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all fees and expenses
incident to the exchange offer, other than the commissions or concessions of any
broker-dealers, and will indemnify the holders of the old securities, including
any broker-dealers, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. We note, however, that, in the opinion of the SEC,
indemnification against liabilities arising under federal securities laws is
against public policy and may be unenforceable.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Baker & Hostetler
LLP. Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the capital
securities will be passed upon on behalf of the Trust by Morris, James, Hitchens
& Williams LLP, special Delaware counsel to the Trust and us. Certain matters
relating to United States federal income tax considerations will be passed upon
for us by Baker & Hostetler LLP, special tax counsel to us.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and
the consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998,
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, as stated in their report
incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial statements have
been included herein in reliance upon the report of such firm given their
authority 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.
Ohio Revised Code, Section 1701.13(E), allows indemnification by the
Registrant to any person made or threatened to be made a party to any
proceedings, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant, by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Registrant, against expenses, including judgment and fines, if he acted in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Registrant and, with respect to criminal actions, in which
he had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. Similar
provisions apply to actions brought by or in the right of the Registrant, except
that no indemnification shall be made in such cases when the person shall have
been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct to the Registrant unless
deemed otherwise by the court. Indemnification may be authorized by a majority
vote of a quorum of disinterested directors or upon the written opinion of
independent counsel or by the shareholders or by court order. The Registrant's
Code of Regulations extends such indemnification.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
DESCRIPTION
4.1 Indenture dated October 18, 1999 of the Company relating to the Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
4.2 Form of Certificate of Exchange Junior Subordinated Debenture
4.3 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of BFOH Capital Trust I
4.4 Form of Exchange Capital Security Certificate for BFOH Capital Trust I
4.5 Series A Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement of the Company dated
October 18, 1999
4.6 Registration Rights Agreement
4.7 Common Securities Guarantee Agreement of the Company dated October 18,
1999
5.1 Opinion and consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP as to validity of the
Exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Exchange Guarantee to
be issued by the Company
5.2 Opinion and consent of Morris, James, Hitchens & Williams LLP as to the
validity of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued by BFOH
Capital Trust I
8.1 Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP as to certain federal income tax
matters*
12.1 Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (excluding interest
on deposits)*
12.2 Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (including interest
on deposits)*
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
23.3 Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.4 Consent of Morris, James, Hitchens & Williams LLP (included in Exhibit
5.2)
24.1 Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of the Company
(located on the signature page hereto)
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Wilmington Trust Company to act as
debenture trustee under the Indenture, to act as property and Delaware
trustee under the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of BFOH Capital
Trust I, and to act as guarantee trustee under the Exchange Guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of Exchange Capital Securities of BFOH
Capital Trust I
99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.2 Form of Exchange Offer Correspondence
99.3 Form of Exchange Agent Agreement
- --------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
82
<PAGE> 84
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, each filing of a Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby also undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
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 this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereto) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in this Registration
Statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1) (i) and (1) (ii) do
not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by a Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this 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 statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the in 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.
(4) to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each
person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report
to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus
and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or
Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Act of 1934, where interim financial
information to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set
forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each
person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly
report
83
<PAGE> 85
that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to
provide such interim financial information.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
each undersigned Registrant pursuant to the provisions, or otherwise, each
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by each undersigned Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
each Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, each Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by 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 Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
Each of the undersigned Registrants 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.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes to supply by
means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction,
and the company being acquired or involved therein, that was not the subject of
and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
84
<PAGE> 86
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, BancFirst
Ohio Corp. certifies that it has reasonable grounds 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 Zanesville, State of Ohio, on the 16th day of
February, 2000.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
By: /s/ Gary N. Fields
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. Each of the directors and/or officers of
BancFirst Ohio Corp. whose signature appears below hereby appoints Gary N.
Fields, James H. Nicholson, Kim M. Taylor and Amy M. Shepherd, and each of them
as his or her attorney-in-fact to sign in his or her name and behalf, in any and
all capacities stated below and to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
Registration Statement on Form S-4, making such changes in the Registration
Statement as appropriate, and generally to do all such things in their behalf in
their capacities as directors and/or officers to enable BancFirst Ohio Corp. to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ Gary N. Fields Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Gary N. Fields, President and
Chief Executive Officer (principal
executive officer and director)
/s/ Kim M. Taylor Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Kim M. Taylor, Chief Financial
Officer (principal financial and
accounting officer)
/s/ Milman H. Linn, III Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Milman H. Linn, III, Director
/s/ Philip E. Burke Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Philip E. Burke, Director
</TABLE>
85
<PAGE> 87
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ James L. Nichols Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
James L. Nichols, Director
/s/ Karl C. Saunders Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Karl C. Saunders, Director
/s/ J.W. Straker, Jr. Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
J.W. Straker, Jr., Director
/s/ William F. Randles Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
William F. Randles, Director
/s/ James H. Nicholson Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
James H. Nicholson, Director
/s/ William T. Stewart Date: February 16, 2000
- ------------------------------------
William T. Stewart, Director
</TABLE>
86
<PAGE> 88
II-5
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, BFOH
Capital Trust I certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Zanesville, State of Ohio, on the 16th day of
February, 2000.
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
By: /s/ James H. Nicholson
----------------------------
James H. Nicholson
Trustee
By: /s/ Kim M. Taylor
----------------------------
Kim M. Taylor
Trustee
87
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
------------------------
------------------------
INDENTURE
Dated as of October 18, 1999
------------------------
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Debenture Trustee
------------------------
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
<S> <C>
SECTION 1.01 DEFINITIONS.........................................................................................1
SECTION 1.02 BUSINESS DAY CERTIFICATE...........................................................................11
ARTICLE II
SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01 FORMS GENERALLY....................................................................................11
SECTION 2.02 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.......................................................................11
SECTION 2.03 FORM AND PAYMENT...................................................................................12
SECTION 2.04 LEGENDS............................................................................................12
SECTION 2.05 GLOBAL SECURITY....................................................................................12
SECTION 2.06 INTEREST...........................................................................................14
SECTION 2.07 TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE..............................................................................14
SECTION 2.08 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.............................................................................16
SECTION 2.09 TEMPORARY SECURITIES...............................................................................16
SECTION 2.10 CANCELLATION.......................................................................................17
SECTION 2.11 DEFAULTED INTEREST.................................................................................17
SECTION 2.12 CUSIP NUMBERS......................................................................................18
ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION
SECTION 3.01 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST..................................................................18
SECTION 3.02 OFFICES FOR NOTICES AND PAYMENTS, ETC..............................................................19
SECTION 3.03 APPOINTMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES IN DEBENTURE TRUSTEE'S OFFICE.......................................19
SECTION 3.04 PROVISION AS TO PAYING AGENT.......................................................................19
SECTION 3.05 CERTIFICATE TO DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...................................................................20
SECTION 3.06 COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS...........................................................20
SECTION 3.07 LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS............................................................................20
SECTION 3.08 COVENANTS AS TO BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I...............................................................21
SECTION 3.09 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES................................................................................21
SECTION 3.10 PAYMENT UPON RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL................................................................22
ARTICLE IV
LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE
CORPORATION AND THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01 LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS............................................................................22
SECTION 4.02 PRESERVATION AND DISCLOSURE OF LISTS...............................................................23
</TABLE>
-i-
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SECTION 4.03 REPORTS BY THE CORPORATION.........................................................................24
SECTION 4.04 REPORTS BY THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...................................................................25
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AND
SECURITYHOLDERS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 5.01 EVENTS OF DEFAULT..................................................................................25
SECTION 5.02 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES ON DEFAULT; SUIT THEREFOR....................................................27
SECTION 5.03 APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...............................................29
SECTION 5.04 PROCEEDINGS BY SECURITYHOLDERS.....................................................................29
SECTION 5.05 PROCEEDINGS BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...................................................................30
SECTION 5.06 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE AND CONTINUING.................................................................30
SECTION 5.07 DIRECTION OF PROCEEDINGS AND WAIVER OF DEFAULTS BY MAJORITY OF
SECURITYHOLDER..............................................................................31
SECTION 5.08 NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.................................................................................31
SECTION 5.09 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS...........................................................................32
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...................................................32
SECTION 6.02 RELIANCE ON DOCUMENTS, OPINIONS, ETC...............................................................34
SECTION 6.03 NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECITALS, ETC................................................................35
SECTION 6.04 DEBENTURE TRUSTEE, AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENTS, TRANSFER AGENTS
AND REGISTRAR MAY OWN SECURITIES ..................................................................35
SECTION 6.05 MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.........................................................................36
SECTION 6.06 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.....................................................36
SECTION 6.07 OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE AS EVIDENCE..................................................................37
SECTION 6.08 CONFLICTING INTEREST OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE..........................................................37
SECTION 6.09 ELIGIBILITY OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...................................................................37
SECTION 6.10 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE........................................................37
SECTION 6.11 ACCEPTANCE BY SUCCESSOR DEBENTURE TRUSTEE..........................................................39
SECTION 6.12 SUCCESSION BY MERGER, ETC..........................................................................39
SECTION 6.13 LIMITATION ON RIGHTS OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AS A CREDITOR............................................40
SECTION 6.14 AUTHENTICATING AGENTS..............................................................................40
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01 ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS..........................................................................41
SECTION 7.02 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS..............................................................41
SECTION 7.03 WHO ARE DEEMED ABSOLUTE OWNERS.....................................................................42
SECTION 7.04 SECURITIES OWNED BY CORPORATION DEEMED NOT OUTSTANDING.............................................42
SECTION 7.05 REVOCATION OF CONSENTS; FUTURE HOLDERS BOUND.......................................................42
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS OF SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 8.01 PURPOSES OF MEETINGS...............................................................................43
SECTION 8.02 CALL OF MEETINGS BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE..............................................................43
SECTION 8.03 CALL OF MEETINGS BY CORPORATION OR SECURITYHOLDERS.................................................44
SECTION 8.04 QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING..........................................................................44
SECTION 8.05 REGULATIONS........................................................................................44
SECTION 8.06 VOTING.............................................................................................45
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01 WITHOUT CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.................................................................45
SECTION 9.02 WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS....................................................................46
SECTION 9.03 COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT; EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.............................47
SECTION 9.04 NOTATION ON SECURITIES.............................................................................48
SECTION 9.05 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE FURNISHED TO
DEBENTURE TRUSTEE...........................................................................48
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01 CORPORATION MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS...............................................48
SECTION 10.02 SUCCESSOR PERSON TO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR CORPORATION................................................49
SECTION 10.03 OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BE GIVEN DEBENTURE TRUSTEE..................................................49
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 11.01 DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE............................................................................49
SECTION 11.02 DEPOSITED MONEYS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST
BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE .............................................................................50
SECTION 11.03 PAYING AGENT TO REPAY MONEYS HELD.................................................................50
SECTION 11.04 RETURN OF UNCLAIMED MONEYS........................................................................50
SECTION 11.05 DEFEASANCE UPON DEPOSIT OF MONEYS OR U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS..................................51
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01 INDENTURE AND SECURITIES SOLELY CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS.............................................52
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
<S> <C>
SECTION 13.01 SUCCESSORS........................................................................................53
SECTION 13.02 OFFICIAL ACTS BY SUCCESSOR CORPORATION............................................................53
SECTION 13.03 SURRENDER OF CORPORATION POWERS...................................................................53
SECTION 13.04 ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES, ETC........................................................................53
SECTION 13.05 GOVERNING LAW.....................................................................................53
SECTION 13.06 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..................................................54
SECTION 13.07 BUSINESS DAYS.....................................................................................54
SECTION 13.08 TRUST INDENTURE ACT TO CONTROL....................................................................54
SECTION 13.09 TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC..................................................................54
SECTION 13.10 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.........................................................................54
SECTION 13.11 SEPARABILITY......................................................................................55
SECTION 13.12 ASSIGNMENT........................................................................................55
SECTION 13.13 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RIGHTS..........................................................................55
ARTICLE XIV
PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES
SECTION 14.01 SPECIAL EVENT PREPAYMENT..........................................................................55
SECTION 14.02 OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT BY CORPORATION................................................................56
SECTION 14.03 NO SINKING FUND...................................................................................57
SECTION 14.04 NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT; SELECTION OF SECURITIES.....................................................57
SECTION 14.05 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES CALLED FOR PREPAYMENT.......................................................58
ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01 AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE..........................................................................58
SECTION 15.02 DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS....................................................................58
SECTION 15.03 LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY..............................................................59
SECTION 15.04 SUBROGATION.......................................................................................61
SECTION 15.05 DEBENTURE TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.....................................................61
SECTION 15.06 NOTICE BY THE CORPORATION.........................................................................61
SECTION 15.07 RIGHTS OF THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS...................................62
SECTION 15.08 SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED.................................................................63
ARTICLE XVI
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
SECTION 16.01 EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD..............................................................63
SECTION 16.02 NOTICE OF EXTENSION...............................................................................64
</TABLE>
TESTIMONIUM
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT A
-iv-
<PAGE> 6
Tie Sheet of provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with Indenture
dated as of October 18, 1999 between BancFirst Ohio Corp. and Wilmington Trust
Company, as Debenture Trustee:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
<S> <C>
310(a)(1) .................................................................... 6.09
(a)(2) .................................................................... 6.09
310(a)(3) ..................................................................... N/A
(a)(4) ..................................................................... N/A
310(a)(5) ...............................................................6.09, 6.10, 6.11
310(b) .................................................................... 6.08
310(c) ..................................................................... N/A
311(a) and (b) .................................................................... 6.13
311(c) ..................................................................... N/A
312(a) ...............................................................4.01(a), 4.02(a)
312(b) and (c) ...............................................................4.02(b), 4.02(c)
313(a) ....................................................................... 4.04(a)
313(b)(1) ....................................................................... 4.04(a)
313(b)(2) ....................................................................... 4.04(a)
313(c) ....................................................................... 4.04(a)
313(d) ....................................................................... 4.04(b)
314(a) .....................................................................3.05, 4.03
314(b) ..................................................................... N/A
314(c)(1) and (2).....................................................................6.07, 13.06
314(c)(3) ..................................................................... N/A
314(d) ..................................................................... N/A
314(e) ....................................................................6.07, 13.06
314(f) ..................................................................... N/A
315(a)(c) and (d)..................................................................... 6.01
315(b) .................................................................... 5.08
315(e) .................................................................... 5.09
316(a)(1) .................................................................... 5.07
316(a)(2) ..................................................................... N/A
316(a) last sentence.................................................................. 9.02
316(b) .................................................................... 9.02
316(c) .....................................................................7.01, 9.02
317(a) .................................................................... 5.05
317(b) .................................................................... 6.05
318 ..................................................................... 13.08
- ----------------
</TABLE>
THIS TIE-SHEET IS NOT PART OF THE INDENTURE AS EXECUTED.
-v-
<PAGE> 7
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of October 18, 1999, between BancFirst Ohio
Corp., an Ohio corporation (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as debenture trustee
(hereinafter sometimes called the "Debenture Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Securities
(as defined below) by the holders thereof, the Corporation covenants and agrees
with the Debenture Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the
respective holders from time to time of the Securities, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 DEFINITIONS.
The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of
this Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section
1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), or which are by
reference therein defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), shall (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or
unless the context otherwise requires) have the meanings assigned to such terms
in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date
of this Indenture as originally executed. The following terms have the meanings
given to them in the Declaration: (i) Clearing Agency; (ii) Delaware Trustee;
(iii) Property Trustee; (iv) Administrative Trustees; (v) Series A Capital
Securities; (vi) Series B Capital Securities; (vii) Direct Action; (viii) Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee; (ix) Series B Capital Securities Guarantee; (x)
Distributions; and (xi) Initial Purchaser. 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 Sums" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(c).
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any prepayment date
pursuant to Section 14.01, the rate per annum equal to (i) the yield, under the
heading which represents the average for the immediately prior week, appearing
in the most recently published statistical release designated "H.15 (519)" or
any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and
which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities
adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities,"
for the maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within
three months before or three months after the maturity corresponding to the
Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be determined, and the Adjusted
Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a
straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month)
<PAGE> 8
or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the
week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate
per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury
Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
Comparable Treasury Price for such prepayment date, in each case calculated on
the third Business Day preceding the prepayment date, plus: 299 basis points.
"Affiliate" shall have the meaning given to that term in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"Allocable Amounts," when used with respect to any Senior Indebtedness,
means all amounts due or to become due on such Senior Indebtedness less, if
applicable, any amount which would have been paid to, and retained by, the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness (whether as a result of the receipt of
payments by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness from the Corporation or any
other obligor thereon or from any holders of, or trustee in respect of, other
indebtedness that is subordinate and junior in right of payment to such Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to any provision of such indebtedness for the payment over
of amounts received on account of such indebtedness to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness or otherwise) but for the fact that such Senior indebtedness
is subordinate or junior in right of payment to (or subject to a requirement
that amounts received on such Senior Indebtedness be paid over to obligees on)
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business.
"Authenticating Agent" shall mean any agent or agents of the Debenture
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
Corporation or any duly authorized committee of that board.
"Board Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation 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 Debenture Trustee.
"Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.05(a)(i).
"Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Securities,
any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions
in Wilmington, Delaware or New York, New York are authorized or required by law
or executive order to remain closed.
"Capital Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust which are designated as "Capital Securities" and rank pari
passu with the Common Securities issued by the Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be
-2-
<PAGE> 9
paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation, redemption and other
payments to which they are entitled. References to "Capital Securities"' shall
include collectively any Series A Capital Securities and Series B Capital
Securities.
"Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee agreement that
the Corporation may enter into with Wilmington Trust Company or other Persons
that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital
Securities and shall include the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the
Series B Capital Securities Guarantee with respect to the Series A Capital
Securities and the Series B Capital Securities, respectively.
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time
after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.
"Common Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust which are designated as "Common Securities" and rank pari
passu with Capital Securities issued by the Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation,
redemption and other payments to which they are then entitled.
"Common Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the
Corporation may enter into that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit
of holders of Common Securities.
"Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, no par value per share, of
the Corporation or any other class of stock resulting from changes or
reclassifications of such Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par
value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" shall mean the United States Treasury
security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the
Remaining Life of the Securities that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life
of the Securities, provided that if no United States Treasury security has a
maturity which is within a period from three months before to three months after
the Remaining Life, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury
securities as selected by the Quotation Agent shall be used as the Comparable
Treasury Issue, and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or
extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month, using such
securities.
"Comparable Treasury Price" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment
date pursuant to Section 14.01, (i) the average of three Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations for such prepayment date, after excluding the highest and
lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Corporation or its
designee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.
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"Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
16.01.
"Corporation" shall mean the person identified as "corporation" in the
preamble to this Indenture and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall
also include its successors and assigns.
"Corporation Request" or "Corporation Order" shall mean a written
request or order signed in the name of the Corporation by an Officer and
delivered to the Debenture Trustee.
"Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Debenture Trustee" shall mean the Person identified as "Debenture
Trustee" in the preamble to this Indenture and, subject to the provisions of
Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns.
"Declaration" shall mean the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
of the Trust, dated as of October 18, 1999, by and among the Trustees (as
defined therein), the Corporation, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time
of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, as amended from
time to time.
"Default" shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or
lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Defaulted Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.
"Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.
"Definitive Securities" shall mean those securities issued in fully
registered certificated form not otherwise in global form.
"Depositary" shall mean, with respect to the Securities for which the
Corporation shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global
Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or another clearing
agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency pursuant to Section 17A
of the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each
case, shall be designated by the Corporation pursuant to Section 2.05(d).
"Dissolution Event" shall mean any event resulting in the dissolution
of the Trust pursuant to the Declaration, and the distribution of the Securities
held by the Property Trustee to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by
the Trust pro rata in accordance with the Declaration.
"Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section 5.01,
continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if
any, therein designated.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
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"Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer that may be made pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Corporation to exchange the Exchange
Securities for the Initial Securities and to execute the Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee in respect of the Series B Capital Securities and (ii) by
the Trust to exchange the Series B Capital Securities for the Series A Capital
Securities.
"Exchange Securities" shall mean the Corporation's 9.875% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due October 15, 2029, Series B, as
authenticated and issued under this Indenture.
"Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 16.01.
"Federal Reserve" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
"Global Security" shall mean, with respect to the Securities, a
Security executed by the Corporation and delivered by the Debenture Trustee to
the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, or if no
instructions are received then held by the Property Trustee, all in accordance
with this Indenture, which Security shall be registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee.
"Indebtedness" shall mean, whether recourse as to all or a portion of
the assets of the Corporation and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of the Corporation for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of the
Corporation evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of the Corporation
with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities
issued for the account of the Corporation; (iv) every obligation of the
Corporation issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or
services (but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in
the ordinary course of business); (v) every capital lease obligation of the
Corporation; (vi) all indebtedness of the Corporation, whether incurred on or
prior to the date of this Indenture or hereafter incurred, for claims in respect
of derivative products, including interest rate, foreign exchange rate and
commodity forward contracts, options and swaps and similar arrangements; and
(vii) every obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of
another Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in
either case, the Corporation has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for
directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.
"Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Securities" shall mean (i)
Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or
hereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent such Indebtedness by its
terms ranks pari passu with and not prior to the Securities in the right of
payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization of the Corporation and (ii) all other debt securities, and
guarantees in respect of those debt securities, issued to any trust other than
the Trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership or other entity affiliated
with the Corporation, that is a financing vehicle of the Corporation (a
"financing entity") in connection with the issuance by such financing entity of
equity securities or other securities guaranteed by the Corporation pursuant to
an instrument that ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Capital Securities Guarantee. The securing of any Indebtedness otherwise
constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Securities shall not be
deemed to prevent such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a
Parity with the Securities.
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"Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities" shall mean any
Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or
hereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent such Indebtedness by its
terms ranks junior to and not pari passu with or prior to the Securities (and
any other Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Securities) in right of
payment upon the happening of the dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or
reorganization of the Corporation. The securing of any Indebtedness otherwise
constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities shall not be deemed
to prevent such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to
the Securities.
"Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed or, if
amended as herein provided, as so amended.
"Initial Optional Redemption Date" shall mean October 15, 2009.
"Initial Securities" shall mean the Corporation's 9.875% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due October 15, 2029, Series A, as
authenticated and issued under this Indenture.
"Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.06(a).
"Investment Company" shall mean an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
"Investment Company Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Investment Company Event" shall mean the receipt by the Corporation
and the Trust of an opinion of independent securities counsel experienced in
such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations
thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies of any
applicable regulatory authority for the Corporation or (b) any official
administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such
laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance
of the Initial Securities, the Trust is, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will be, considered an investment company that is required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act.
"Like Amount" shall mean (i) with respect to a redemption of the Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a liquidation amount equal to the principal
amount of Securities to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with
respect to a distribution of Securities upon the liquidation of the Trust,
Securities having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of the
Trust Securities of the holder to whom Securities are distributed.
"Liquidated Damages" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement.
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"Liquidated Damages Agreement" shall mean the Liquidated Damages
Agreement, dated as of October 13, 1999, by and among the Corporation, the Trust
and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Maturity Date" shall mean October 15, 2029.
"Non Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.05(a)(ii).
"Officers" shall mean any of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President, an Executive or Senior Vice President, a Vice President, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation.
"Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers
and delivered to the Debenture Trustee.
"Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of counsel, who may
be an employee of the Corporation, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Debenture Trustee.
"Optional Prepayment Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
14.02(a).
"Other Debentures" shall mean all junior subordinated debentures other
than the Securities issued by the Corporation from time to time and sold to
trusts other than the Trust to be established by the Corporation (if any), in
each case similar to the Trust.
"Other Guarantees" shall mean all guarantees other than the Capital
Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee issued by the
Corporation with respect to preferred beneficial interests (if any) issued to
trusts other than the Trust to be established by the Corporation (if any), in
each case similar to the Trust.
The term "outstanding" when used with reference to the Securities,
shall mean, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, as of any particular
time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Debenture Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Debenture
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to
the Debenture Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or
prepayment of which moneys in the necessary amount
shall have been deposited in trust with the Debenture
Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the
Corporation) or shall have been set aside and
segregated in trust by the Corporation (if the
Corporation shall act as its own paying agent);
provided that, if such Securities, or portions
thereof, are to be prepaid prior to maturity thereof,
notice of such prepayment shall have been given as
set forth in Article XIV or provision satisfactory to
the Debenture Trustee shall have been made for giving
such notice;
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(c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which
other Securities shall have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.08
unless proof satisfactory to the Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee is presented that any such
Securities are held by bona fide holders in due
course and;
(d) Securities held by the Corporation, the Trust or any
Affiliate thereof.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, estate, partnership,
joint venture, national banking association, association, joint-stock company,
limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security shall mean every
previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced
by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any
Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost,
destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the
lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
"Prepayment Price" shall mean the Special Event Prepayment Price or
Optional Prepayment Price, as the context requires.
"Principal Office of the Debenture Trustee," or other similar term,
shall mean the office of the Debenture Trustee, at which at any particular time
its corporate trust business shall be administered.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated October
13, 1999, by and among the Corporation, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser
named therein.
"Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 13, 1999, by and among the Corporation, the Trust
and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Quotation Agent" shall mean the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by
the Corporation.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" shall mean a nationally recognized U.S.
Government securities dealer in New York, New York selected by the Corporation.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" shall mean, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01, the
average, as determined by the Corporation or its designee, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage
of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Corporation or its designee by
such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third
Business Day preceding such prepayment date.
"Regulatory Capital Event" shall mean the receipt by the Corporation
and the Trust of an opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced
in such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any amendment to, or
change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws
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(or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any rules, guidelines or
policies of an applicable regulatory authority for the Corporation or (b) any
official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original
issuance of the Initial Securities, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or
within 90 days of the date of such opinion will not constitute, Tier 1 Capital
(or its then equivalent if the Corporation were subject to such capital
requirement); applied as if the Corporation (or its successors) were a bank
holding company for purposes of capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal
Reserve Board (or any successor regulatory authority with jurisdiction over bank
holding companies), or any capital adequacy guidelines as then in effect and
applicable to the Corporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the distribution of the
Securities in connection with the liquidation of the Trust by the Corporation
shall not in and of itself constitute a Regulatory Capital Event.
"Remaining Life" shall mean the term of the Securities from any
prepayment date pursuant to Section 14.01 to the Maturity Date.
"Responsible Officer" shall mean any officer of the Debenture Trustee's
Corporate Trust Administration department with direct responsibility for the
administration of the Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Debenture Trustee to whom such
matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.
"Restricted Security" shall mean Securities that bear or are required
to bear the legends relating to transfer restrictions under the Securities Act
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 any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
"Securities" shall mean, collectively, the Initial Securities and the
Exchange Securities.
"Securityholder," "holder of Securities," or other similar terms, shall
mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular Security is registered in
the Security Register kept by the Corporation or the Debenture Trustee for that
purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
"Security Register" shall mean (i) prior to a Dissolution Event, the
list of holders provided to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, and
(ii) following a Dissolution Event, any security register maintained by a
security registrar for the Securities appointed by the Corporation following the
execution of a supplemental indenture providing for transfer procedures as
provided for in Section 2.07(a).
"Senior Indebtedness" shall mean the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Corporation whether
or not such claim for post petition interest is allowed in such proceedings), on
all Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this
Indenture, or hereafter created, assumed or incurred, except Indebtedness
Ranking on a Parity with the
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Securities or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities, and any deferrals,
renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness.
"Special Event" shall mean an Investment Company Event, a Regulatory
Capital Event or a Tax Event, as the context requires.
"Special Event Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to any
prepayment of the Securities following a Special Event, an amount equal to the
greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be prepaid or
(ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the
remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such Securities,
discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in
the case of (i) or (ii), any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) to the date of such prepayment.
"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, limited liability company or similar entity, at least a majority of
whose outstanding partnership, membership or similar interests shall at the time
be owned by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person
and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which
such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of
this definition, "voting stock" means shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having
ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the
equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a
contingency.
"Tax Event" shall mean the receipt by the Trust and the Corporation of
an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or
as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of original issuance of the Initial Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Securities, (ii) the interest payable by the
Corporation on the Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will not be, deductible by the Corporation, in whole or in part, for
United States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Trust is, or will be
within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis
amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
"Trust" shall mean BFOH Capital Trust I, a Delaware business trust
created for the purpose of issuing its undivided beneficial interests in
connection with the issuance of Securities under this Indenture.
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"Trust Securities" shall mean, collectively, the Capital Securities and
the Common Securities.
"U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under
clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or prepayable at the option of the issuer
thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government
Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository
receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction with respect to 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.
SECTION 1.02 BUSINESS DAY CERTIFICATE.
On the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture (with respect
to the remainder of calendar year 1999) and within 15 days prior to the end of
each calendar year while this Indenture remains in effect (with respect to
succeeding calendar years), the Corporation shall deliver to the Debenture
Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying the days on which banking
institutions or trust companies in Wilmington, Delaware or New York, New York
are then authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain closed.
ARTICLE II
SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01 FORMS GENERALLY.
The Securities and the Debenture Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms
of which are incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. The Securities
may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange
rule, agreements to which the Corporation is subject or usage. Each Security
shall be dated the date of its authentication.
SECTION 2.02 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Corporation by manual or
facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer
holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual
signature of the Debenture Trustee. The signature of the Debenture Trustee shall
be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.
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The Debenture Trustee shall, upon a Corporation Order, authenticate for
original issue up to, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities
outstanding at any time may not exceed, $20,619,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Securities, except as provided in Sections 2.07, 2.08, 2.09 and 14.05.
The series of Securities to be initially issued hereunder shall be the Initial
Securities.
SECTION 2.03 FORM AND PAYMENT.
Except as provided in Section 2.05, the Securities shall be issued in
fully registered certificated form without interest coupons. Principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities issued in certificated form will
be payable, the transfer of such Securities will be registrable and such
Securities will be exchangeable for Securities bearing identical terms and
provisions, at the office or agency of the Corporation maintained for such
purpose under Section 3.02; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payments of interest may be
made at the option of the Corporation (i) by check mailed to the holder at such
address as shall appear in the Security Register, or (ii) by transfer to an
account maintained by the Person entitled thereto, provided that proper transfer
instructions have been received in writing by the relevant record date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of any Securities is the
Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Securities held by the Property Trustee will
be made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Property
Trustee.
SECTION 2.04 LEGENDS
(a) Except as permitted by subsection (b) of this Section 2.04 or as
otherwise determined by the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, each
Security shall bear the applicable legends relating to restrictions on transfer
pursuant to the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws in
substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
(b) In the event of an Exchange Offer, the Corporation shall issue and
the Debenture Trustee, upon Corporation Order, shall authenticate Exchange
Securities in exchange for Initial Securities accepted for exchange in the
Exchange Offer, which Exchange Securities shall not bear the legends required by
subsection (a) above, in each case unless the holder of such Initial Securities
is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Initial Securities directly
from the Corporation for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available
exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person participating in the
distribution of the Initial Securities or (C) a Person who is an Affiliate of
the Corporation or the Trust.
SECTION 2.05 GLOBAL SECURITY.
(a) In connection with a Dissolution Event,
(i) if any Capital Securities are held in book-entry form
("Book-Entry Capital Securities"), a Like Amount of Definitive Securities shall
be presented to the Debenture Trustee (if an arrangement with the Depositary has
been maintained) by the Property Trustee in exchange for one or more Global
Securities (as may be required pursuant to Section 2.07), to be registered in
the name of the Depositary, or its nominee, and delivered by the Debenture
Trustee to the Depositary
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for crediting to the accounts of its participants pursuant to the instructions
of the Administrative Trustees; the Corporation upon any such presentation shall
execute one or more Global Securities in such aggregate principal amount and
deliver the same to the Debenture Trustee for authentication and delivery in
accordance with this Indenture; and payments on the Securities issued as a
Global Security will be made to the Depositary; and
(ii) if any Capital Securities are held in certificated form,
the related Definitive Securities may be presented to the Debenture Trustee, by
the Property Trustee and any Capital Security certificates which represent
Capital Securities other than Book-Entry Capital Securities ("Non Book-Entry
Capital Securities") will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in
Securities presented to the Debenture Trustee by the Property Trustee having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Non
Book-Entry Capital Securities until such Capital Security certificates are
presented to the security registrar for the Securities for transfer or
reissuance, at which time such Capital Security certificates will be canceled,
and a Security in a Like Amount, registered in the name of the holder of the
Capital Security certificate or the transferee of the holder of such Capital
Security certificate, as the case may be, will be executed by the Corporation
and delivered to the Debenture Trustee for authentication and delivery in
accordance with this Indenture; and upon the issuance of such Securities,
Securities with an equivalent aggregate principal amount that were presented by
the Property Trustee to the Debenture Trustee will be canceled.
(b) The Global Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of
outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented
thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to
reflect exchanges and prepayments. Any endorsement of a Global Security to
reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Debenture
Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Corporation as required by
this Section 2.05.
(c) The Global Securities may be transferred, in whole but not in part,
only to the Depositary, to another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor
Depositary selected or approved by the Corporation or to a nominee of such
successor Depositary.
(d) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Corporation 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, in each case, a
successor Depositary is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days after
the Corporation receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the
case may be, the Corporation will execute, and the Debenture Trustee, upon
receipt of a Corporation Order, will authenticate and make available for
delivery the Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations, and in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security,
in exchange for such Global Security. If there is a Default or an Event of
Default, the Depositary shall have the right to exchange the Global Securities
for Definitive Securities. In addition, the Corporation may at any time
determine that the Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global
Security. In the event of such an Event of Default or such a determination, the
Corporation shall execute, and subject to Section 2.07, the Debenture Trustee,
upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the
Corporation and a Corporation Order,
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will authenticate and make available for delivery the Definitive Securities, in
authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security, in exchange for such Global Security.
Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Definitive Securities, in
authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Debenture
Trustee. Such Definitive Securities issued in exchange for the Global Security
shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the
Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or
otherwise, shall instruct the Debenture Trustee. The Debenture Trustee shall
deliver such Definitive Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons
in whose names such Definitive Securities are so registered.
SECTION 2.06 INTEREST.
(a) Each Security will bear interest, at the rate of 9.875% per annum
(the "Coupon Rate"), from the most recent date to which interest has been paid
or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from
October 18, 1999, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and at
the Coupon Rate on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest, compounded semi-annually, payable (subject to
the provisions of Article XVI) semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October
15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2000 (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
to the Person in whose name such Security or any predecessor Security is
registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest
installment, which shall be the first day of the month in which the relevant
Interest Payment Date falls.
(b) The amount of interest payable on the Securities shall be computed
on the basis of 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(c) During such time as the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Securities, the Corporation shall pay any additional amounts on the Securities
as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and
payable by the Trust on the outstanding Trust Securities shall not be reduced as
a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which
the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event ("Additional Sums").
SECTION 2.07 TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
(a) TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.
(i) The Initial Securities, and those Exchange Securities with
respect to which any Person described in Section 2.04(b)(A), (B) or (C) is the
beneficial owner, may not be transferred except in compliance with the legend
contained in Exhibit A unless otherwise determined by the Corporation in
accordance with applicable law. Upon any distribution of the Securities
following a Dissolution Event, the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee shall
enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.01 to provide for the
transfer restrictions and procedures with respect to the Securities
substantially similar to those contained in the Declaration to the extent
applicable in the circumstances existing at such time.
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(ii) The Securities will be issued and may be transferred only
in blocks having an aggregate principal amount of not less than $100,000 and in
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of the Securities
in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000 shall be
deemed to be voided and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported
transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Securities for any
purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such
Securities, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest
whatsoever in such Securities.
(b) GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES. To permit
registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Corporation shall execute and the
Debenture Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities and Global Securities
at the request of the security registrar for the Securities. All Definitive
Securities and Global Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or
exchange of Definitive Securities or Global Securities shall be the valid
obligations of the Corporation, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive Securities or Global
Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
No service charge shall be made to a holder for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Corporation may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.
The Corporation shall not be required to: (i) issue, register the
transfer of or exchange Securities during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of prepayment or any
notice of selection of Securities for prepayment under Article XIV hereof and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for prepayment in whole or in
part, except the nonprepaid portion of any Security being prepaid in part.
Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any
Security, the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation and any agent of the Debenture
Trustee or the Corporation may deem and treat the Person in whose name any
Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such
Securities, and none of the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation or any agents of
the Debenture Trustee or the Corporation shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.
(c) EXCHANGE OF INITIAL SECURITIES FOR EXCHANGE SECURITIES. The Initial
Securities may be exchanged for Exchange Securities pursuant to the terms of the
Exchange Offer. The Debenture Trustee shall make the exchange as follows:
The Corporation shall present the Debenture Trustee with an Officers'
Certificate certifying the following:
(A) upon issuance of the Exchange Securities, the transactions
contemplated by the Exchange Offer have been consummated; and
(B) the principal amount of Initial Securities properly tendered
in the Exchange Offer that are represented by a Global
Security, the principal amount of Initial Securities
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properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented
by Definitive Securities, the name of each holder of such
Definitive Securities, the principal amount properly tendered
in the Exchange Offer by each such holder and the name and
address to which Definitive Securities for Exchange Securities
shall be registered and sent for each such holder.
The Debenture Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers' Certificate,
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Exchange Securities have
been registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set
forth in Section 3(q) of the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) a
Corporation Order, shall authenticate (A) a Global Security representing
Exchange Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of Initial Securities represented by a Global Security
indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been properly tendered and (B)
Definitive Securities representing Exchange Securities registered in the names
of, and in the principal amounts indicated in, such Officers' Certificate.
If the principal amount of the Global Security for the Exchange
Securities is less than the principal amount of the Global Security for the
Initial Securities, the Debenture Trustee shall make an endorsement on such
Global Security for Initial Securities indicating a reduction in the principal
amount represented thereby.
The Debenture Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities
representing Exchange Securities to the holders thereof as indicated in such
Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.08 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Debenture Trustee, or
the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction
of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Corporation shall issue
and the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the
Debenture Trustee's requirements for replacements of Securities are met. An
indemnity bond must be supplied by the holder that is sufficient in the judgment
of the Debenture Trustee and the Corporation to protect the Corporation, the
Debenture Trustee, any agent thereof or any Authenticating Agent from any loss
that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Corporation or the
Debenture Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security.
Every replacement Security is an obligation of the Corporation and
shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with all other Securities duly issued hereunder.
SECTION 2.09 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities, the Corporation may
execute, and upon Corporation Order the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate and
make available for delivery, temporary Securities that are printed,
lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any
authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities
in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and
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other variations as the Officers executing such Securities may determine, as
conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities are issued, the Corporation shall cause
Definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. The Definitive
Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or provided by any
combination thereof, or in any other manner permitted by the rules and
regulations of any applicable securities exchange, all as determined by the
Officers executing such Definitive Securities. After the preparation of
Definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for
Definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office
or agency maintained by the Corporation for such purpose pursuant to Section
3.02 hereof, without charge to the holder thereof. Upon surrender for
cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Corporation shall
execute, and the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery, in exchange therefor the same aggregate principal amount of Definitive
Securities of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary
Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as Definitive Securities.
SECTION 2.10 CANCELLATION.
The Corporation at any time may deliver Securities to the Debenture
Trustee for cancellation. The Debenture Trustee and no one else shall cancel all
Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment,
replacement or cancellation and shall return such canceled Securities to the
Corporation. The Corporation may not issue new Securities to replace Securities
that have been prepaid or paid or that have been delivered to the Debenture
Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.11 DEFAULTED INTEREST.
Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called
"Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the
relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such
Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Corporation, at its election, as
provided in clause (a) or clause (b) below:
(a) The Corporation may make payment of any Defaulted Interest
on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their
respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of
business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted
Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Corporation
shall notify the Debenture Trustee in writing of the amount of
Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the
date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Corporation
shall deposit with the Debenture 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 Debenture
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 Debenture Trustee shall fix a special record date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15
nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not
less than 10 days after the receipt by the Debenture Trustee of the
notice of
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the proposed payment. The Debenture Trustee shall promptly notify the
Corporation of such special record date and, in the name and at the
expense of the Corporation, shall cause notice of the proposed payment
of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be
mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or
her address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10
days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment
of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having
been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor
Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no
longer payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Corporation may make payment of any Defaulted Interest
on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if,
after notice given by the Corporation to the Debenture Trustee of the
proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall
be deemed practicable by the Debenture Trustee.
SECTION 2.12 CUSIP NUMBERS.
The Corporation in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if
then generally in use), and, if so, the Debenture Trustee shall use "CUSIP"
numbers in notices of prepayment as a convenience to Securityholders; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of a prepayment and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such prepayment shall
not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Corporation
will promptly notify the Debenture Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION
SECTION 3.01 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.
The Corporation covenants and agrees for the benefit of the holders of
the Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities at the place,
at the respective times and in the manner provided herein. The Corporation
further covenants to pay any and all amounts due in respect of the Securities,
including, without limitation, Additional Sums, as may be required pursuant to
Section 2.06(c), Liquidated Damages, if any, on the dates and in the manner
required under the Registration Rights Agreement or the Liquidated Damages
Agreement and Compounded Interest, as may be required pursuant to Section 16.01.
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SECTION 3.02 OFFICES FOR NOTICES AND PAYMENTS, ETC.
So long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Corporation
will maintain in Wilmington, Delaware an office or agency where the Securities
may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be
presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture
provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the
Corporation in respect of the Securities or this Indenture may be served. The
Corporation will give to the Debenture 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 Corporation in a notice to the Debenture
Trustee, any such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the
Principal Office of the Debenture Trustee. In case the Corporation shall fail to
maintain any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware 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
Office of the Debenture Trustee.
In addition to any such office or agency, the Corporation may from time
to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Wilmington, Delaware
where the Securities may be presented for payment, for registration of transfer
and for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Corporation in
respect of the Securities or this Indenture may be served in the manner provided
in this Indenture, and the Corporation may from time to time rescind such
designation, as the Corporation may deem desirable or expedient; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Corporation of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in
Wilmington, Delaware for the purposes above mentioned. The Corporation will give
to the Debenture Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or
rescission thereof.
SECTION 3.03 APPOINTMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES IN DEBENTURE TRUSTEE'S
OFFICE.
The Corporation, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the
office of Debenture Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section
6.10, a Debenture Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Debenture
Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 3.04 PROVISION AS TO PAYING AGENT.
(a) If the Corporation shall appoint a paying agent other than the
Debenture Trustee with respect to the Securities, it will cause such paying
agent to execute and deliver to the Debenture Trustee an instrument in which
such agent shall agree with the Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section 3.04,
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent
for the payment of the principal of and premium, if
any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums
have been paid to it by the Corporation or by any
other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the
benefit of the holders of the Securities; and
(2) that it will give the Debenture Trustee notice of any
failure by the Corporation (or by any other obligor
on the Securities) to make any payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest
(including Additional Sums
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and Compounded Interest, if any) and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Securities when the same
shall be due and payable.
(b) If the Corporation shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on
or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on
the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the
holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or
interest so becoming due and will notify the Debenture Trustee of any failure to
take such action and of any failure by the Corporation (or by any other obligor
under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal, premium or interest
on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.
(c) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Corporation may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and
discharge with respect to the Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay
or cause to be paid to the Debenture Trustee all sums payable with respect to
the Securities, such sums to be held by the Debenture 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 DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
The Corporation will deliver to the Debenture Trustee on or before 120
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Corporation, commencing with the
first fiscal year ending after the date hereof, so long as Securities are
outstanding hereunder, an Officers' Certificate, one of the signers of which
shall be the principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting
officer of the Corporation, stating that in the course of the performance by the
signers of their duties as officers of the Corporation they would normally have
knowledge of any Default by the Corporation 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,
the nature thereof and the action, if any, the Corporation intends to undertake
as a result of such Default.
SECTION 3.06 COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.
The Corporation will not, while any of the Securities remain
outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or
convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the
provisions of Article X hereof are complied with.
SECTION 3.07 LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS.
The Corporation will not (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock, (ii) make any payment
of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase or
redeem any debt securities of the Corporation (including Other Debentures) that
rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities or (iii)
make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee (other than the
Capital Securities Guarantee) by the Corporation of the debt
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securities of any Subsidiary of the Corporation (including Other Guarantees) if
such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options,
warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock), (b)
any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
as a result of a reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock
for another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (d) the purchase
of fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged and (e) purchases of Common Stock related to the
issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit or
compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans), if at such time (1) there shall have
occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual knowledge that (a) is a
Default or an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Corporation shall
not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) the Securities are held by the
Property Trustee and the Corporation shall be in default with respect to its
payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee or (3) the
Corporation shall have given notice of its election to exercise its right to
commence an Extended Interest Payment Period and shall not have rescinded such
notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period or any extension thereof shall
have commenced and be continuing.
SECTION 3.08 COVENANTS AS TO BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
In the event Securities are issued to the Trust or a trustee of such
Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust, for so
long as such Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Corporation (i) will
maintain 100% direct or indirect ownership of the Common Securities of the
Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any successor of the Corporation, permitted
pursuant to Article X, may succeed to the Corporation's ownership of such Common
Securities, (ii) will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a)
to remain a business trust, except in connection with a distribution of
Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the
redemption of all of the Trust Securities of the Trust, or certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, and (b)
to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust and not an association
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, (iii)
will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each holder of the Trust
Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the
Securities and (iv) will not cause, as sponsor of the Trust, or permit, as
holder of the Common Securities, the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of
the Trust, except as provided in the Declaration.
SECTION 3.09 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.
In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities to
the Trust and in connection with the sale of the Trust Securities by the Trust,
the Corporation, in its capacity as borrower with respect to the Securities,
shall:
(a) pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and
issuance of the Securities, including fees and expenses in
connection with any Exchange Offer, filing of a shelf
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registration statement or other action to be taken pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement and Liquidated Damages
Agreement and compensation of the Debenture Trustee in
accordance with the provisions of Section 6.06;
(b) pay all costs and expenses of the Trust, including, but not
limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of
the Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust
Securities (including commissions payable to the Initial
Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement in connection
therewith), the fees and expenses of the Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee, the costs and expenses relating to the
operation of the Trust, including without limitation, costs
and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or
bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and
computing or accounting equipment, paying agent(s),
registrar(s), transfer agent(s), duplicating, travel and
telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition,
financing, and disposition of assets of the Trust;
(c) be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification
obligations arising with respect to the Declaration;
(d) pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding
taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all
liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of
the Trust; and
(e) pay all other fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other
than in respect of the Trust Securities) related to the Trust.
SECTION 3.10 PAYMENT UPON RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL.
Upon termination of this Indenture or the removal or resignation of the
Debenture Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Corporation shall pay to the
Debenture Trustee all amounts accrued and owing to the Debenture Trustee to the
date of such termination, removal or resignation. Upon termination of the
Declaration or the removal or resignation of the Delaware Trustee or the
Property Trustee, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.7 of the
Declaration, the Corporation shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or the Property
Trustee, as the case may be, all amounts accrued and owing to such trustee(s) to
the date of such termination, removal or resignation.
ARTICLE IV
LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE
CORPORATION AND THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01 LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS.
The Corporation covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to
be furnished to the Debenture Trustee:
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(a) on a semi-annual basis on each regular record date for the
Securities, a list, in such form as the Debenture Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Securityholders as of such record date; and
(b) at such other times as the Debenture Trustee may request in
writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Corporation,
of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of
a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is
furnished,
except that, no such lists need be furnished so long as the Debenture Trustee is
in possession thereof by reason of its acting as security registrar for the
Securities.
SECTION 4.02 PRESERVATION AND DISCLOSURE OF LISTS.
(a) The Debenture Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of the Securities (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it
as provided in Section 4.01 or (2) received by it in the capacity of security
registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Debenture Trustee may destroy any list
furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.
(b) In case three or more holders of Securities (hereinafter referred
to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Debenture Trustee and furnish to the
Debenture Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security
for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and
such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other
holders of Securities or with holders of all Securities with respect to their
rights under this Indenture and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or
other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the
Debenture Trustee shall within five Business Days after the receipt of such
application, at its election, either:
(1) afford such applicants access to the information
preserved at the time by the Debenture Trustee in
accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of
this Section 4.02, or
(2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number
of holders of all Securities whose names and
addresses appear in the information preserved at the
time by the Debenture Trustee in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02,
and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such
Securityholders the form of proxy or other
communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Debenture Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants
access to such information, the Debenture Trustee shall, upon the written
request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address
appear in the information preserved at the time by the Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee of the material to
be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable
expenses of mailing, unless within five Business Days after such tender, the
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Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee, such mailing would be
contrary to the best interests of the holders of Securities or would be in
violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of
such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the
objections specified in the 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 Debenture Trustee shall mail
copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness
after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the
Debenture Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants
respecting their application.
(c) Each and every holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the
same, agrees with the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee that neither the
Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
and addresses of the holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (b) of this Section 4.02, regardless of the source from which such
information was derived, and that the Debenture 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 BY THE CORPORATION.
(a) The Corporation covenants and agrees to file with the Debenture
Trustee, within 15 days after the date on which the Corporation is required to
file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as said Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations
prescribe) which the Corporation may be required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the
Corporation is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant
to either of such sections, then to provide to the Debenture Trustee, such of
the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which would
have been required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a
security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be
prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations. The Corporation also
covenants and agrees to comply with the provisions of Section 314(a) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Corporation covenants and agrees to file with the Debenture
Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed from time to time by said Commission, such additional information,
documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Corporation 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 Corporation covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to all
holders of Securities, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon
the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the
Debenture Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and
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reports required to be filed by the Corporation 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
Debenture Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Debenture Trustee's
receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information
contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including
the Corporation's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which
the Debenture Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).
(e) So long as is required for an offer or sale of the Securities to
qualify for an exemption under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the
Corporation shall, upon request, provide the information required by clause
(d)(4) thereunder to each Securityholder and to each beneficial owner and
prospective purchaser of Securities identified by each Securityholder of
Restricted Securities, unless such information is furnished to the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or l5(d) of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 4.04 REPORTS BY THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
(a) The Debenture Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders such
reports concerning the Debenture Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as
may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the
manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Debenture Trustee shall, within 60 days after the date
hereof, and no later than the anniversary date hereof in each succeeding year,
deliver to Securityholders a brief report, dated as of each such date which
complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Securityholders, be filed by the Debenture Trustee with each stock exchange,
if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the
Corporation. The Corporation will promptly notify the Debenture Trustee when the
Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AND
SECURITYHOLDERS UPON 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 (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages,
if any, on the Securities or any Other Debentures (about which
a Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee has
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actual knowledge) when due, and continuance of such default
for a period of 30 days; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a valid
extension of an interest payment period by the Corporation in
accordance with the terms hereof or thereof shall not
constitute a default in the payment of interest for this
purpose; or
(b) default in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if
any, on) the Securities or any Other Debentures (about which a
Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee has actual
knowledge) when due, whether at maturity, upon prepayment, by
declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise; or
(c) default in the performance, or breach in any material respect,
of any covenant or warranty of the Corporation in this
Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in
whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section
specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or
breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Corporation by the
Debenture Trustee or to the Corporation and the Debenture
Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Securities a written notice
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default"
hereunder; or
(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Corporation in an
involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing
a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator (or similar official) of the Corporation or for
any substantial part of its property, or ordering the
winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or
order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90
consecutive days; or
(e) the Corporation shall commence a voluntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order
for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall
consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Corporation or
of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any
general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail
generally to pay its debts as they become due.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities at the time
outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Debenture
Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding may declare the principal amount of all Securities
to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Corporation
(and to the Debenture Trustee if given by the holders of the outstanding
Securities), and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due
and payable.
The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that
if, at any time after the principal of the Securities shall have been so
declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of
the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter
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provided, (i) the Corporation shall pay or shall deposit with the Debenture
Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all matured installments of interest
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all the Securities and the principal of and premium, if any,
on any and all Securities which shall have become due otherwise than by
acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on
overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest
specified in the Securities to the date of such payment or deposit) and (B) such
amount as shall be sufficient to cover compensation due to the Debenture Trustee
and each predecessor Debenture Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and
counsel, pursuant to Section 6.06, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under
the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities
which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall
have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then, in every
such case, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding, by written notice to the Corporation and to the
Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences,
but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect
any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.
In case the Debenture Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right
under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or
abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or
shall have been determined adversely to the Debenture Trustee, then and in every
such case the Corporation, the Debenture Trustee and the holders of the
Securities shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights
hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Corporation, the Debenture
Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall continue as though no such
proceeding had been taken.
SECTION 5.02 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES ON DEFAULT; SUIT THEREFOR.
The Corporation covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the
payment of any installment of interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on any of the
Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default
shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be
made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of the
Securities as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at
maturity of the Securities or upon prepayment or by declaration or otherwise,
then, upon demand of the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation will pay to the
Debenture Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities, the whole
amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Securities for
principal and premium, if any, or interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, or both, as the case
may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law
and, if the Securities are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without
duplication of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect
thereof) upon the overdue installments of interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, at the
rate borne by the Securities; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as
shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including
reasonable compensation to the Debenture Trustee, its agents, attorneys and
counsel, and any other amount due to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section
6.06.
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In case the Corporation shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon
such demand, the Debenture 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 Corporation or any other
obligor on the Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the
property of the Corporation or any other obligor on the Securities, wherever
situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for
the reorganization of the Corporation or any other obligor on the Securities
under Title 11, United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a
receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the
Corporation or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial
proceedings relative to the Corporation or other obligor upon the Securities, or
to the creditors or property of the Corporation or such other obligor, the
Debenture Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall
then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Debenture Trustee shall have made any demand
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.02, shall be entitled and
empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a
claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid
in respect of the Securities and, in case of any 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 Debenture Trustee (including any
claim for amounts due to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06) and of
the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the
Corporation or any other obligor on the Securities, or to the creditors or
property of the Corporation or such other obligor, unless prohibited by
applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the
Securities in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement,
reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or
person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and to collect
and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such
claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and
expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization
is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the
Debenture Trustee, and, in the event that the Debenture Trustee shall consent to
the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the
Debenture Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable
compensation to, and expenses of, the Debenture Trustee, each predecessor
Debenture Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all
other amounts due to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Debenture
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any holder thereof or to
authorize the Debenture Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any
Securityholder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or
under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Debenture Trustee without
the possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof on any trial
or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted
by the Debenture Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an
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express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of
the holders of the Securities.
In any proceedings brought by the Debenture Trustee (and also any
proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to
which the Debenture Trustee shall be a party), the Debenture Trustee shall be
held to represent all the holders of the Securities, and it shall not be
necessary to make any holders of the Securities parties to any such proceedings.
SECTION 5.03 APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
Any moneys collected by the Debenture Trustee shall be applied in the
following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Debenture Trustee for the
distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of
which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only
partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection applicable to
the Securities and all other amounts due to the Debenture Trustee under Section
6.06;
Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation if
and to the extent required by Article XV;
Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon
Securities for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on the Securities, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has
been collected, ratably, without preference of priority of any kind, according
to the amounts due on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and
interest, respectively; and
Fourth: To the Corporation.
SECTION 5.04 PROCEEDINGS BY SECURITYHOLDERS.
No holder of any Security shall have any right by virtue of or by
availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or
proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Debenture
Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof
with respect to the Securities specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore
provided, and unless also the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities then outstanding shall have made written
request upon the Debenture Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding
in its own name as Debenture Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the
Debenture Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs,
expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Debenture
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of
indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, it
being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and
holder of every Security with every other taker and holder and the Debenture
Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have any right in any
manner whatever by virtue of or by availing itself of any provision of this
Indenture to affect,
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disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of Securities, or to obtain
or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to
enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and
for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the
right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Security, on or after the
same shall have become due and payable, or to institute suit for the enforcement
of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of
such holder, and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood,
intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every
other such taker and holder and the Debenture Trustee, that no one or more
holders of Securities shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or
by availing itself of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or
prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Securities, or to obtain or
seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to
enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and
for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities. For the
protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every
Securityholder and the Debenture Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can
be given either at law or in equity.
The Corporation and the Debenture Trustee acknowledge that pursuant to
the Declaration, the holders of Capital Securities are entitled, in the
circumstances and subject to the limitations set forth therein, to commence a
Direct Action with respect to any Event of Default referred to in clause (a) or
(b) of Section 5.01.
SECTION 5.05 PROCEEDINGS BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
In case an Event of Default occurs with respect to Securities and is
continuing, the Debenture 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 Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
SECTION 5.06 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE AND CONTINUING.
All powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Debenture
Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available
to the Debenture Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial
proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the
covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established
with respect to the Securities, and no delay or omission of the Debenture
Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power
accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall
impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such
default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section
5.04, every power and remedy given
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by this Article V or by law to the Debenture Trustee or to the Securityholders
may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient,
by the Debenture Trustee or by the Securityholders.
SECTION 5.07 DIRECTION OF PROCEEDINGS AND WAIVER OF DEFAULTS BY
MAJORITY OF SECURITYHOLDERS.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time,
method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture
Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.01) the
Debenture Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction
if the Debenture Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the
Debenture Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or
proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Debenture Trustee in
good faith by one of its Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or
proceedings so directed would involve the Debenture Trustee in personal
liability. Prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of the Securities,
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities waive any
past Default or Event of Default and its consequences except a Default (a) in
the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any,
on any of the Securities (unless such default has been cured and a sum
sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and premium, if any, and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or
(b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the holder of each Security affected; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if the Securities are held by the Property Trustee, such waiver or
modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a
majority in aggregate liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have
consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that
if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security is required, such
waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall
have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the Default covered thereby
shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the
Corporation, the Debenture Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall be
restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right
consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall
have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.07, said Default or Event of
Default shall for all purposes of the Securities and this Indenture be deemed to
have been cured and to be not continuing.
SECTION 5.08 NOTICE OF DEFAULTS
(a) The Debenture Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of
a Default with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer
of the Debenture Trustee, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and
addresses of such holders appear upon the Security Register, notice of all such
Defaults, unless such Default shall have been cured before the giving of such
notice (the term "Default" for the purpose of this Section 5.08 being hereby
defined to be any of the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e)
of Section 5.01, not including periods of grace,
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if any, provided for therein, and irrespective of the giving of written notice
specified in clause (c) of Section 5.01); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except in the
case of Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest (including Compounded Interest or Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any of the Securities, the Debenture Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or
Responsible Officers of the Debenture Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders; PROVIDED,
FURTHER, that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section
5.01(c), no such notice to Securityholders shall be given until at least 60 days
after the occurrence thereof, but shall be given within 90 days after such
occurrence.
(b) Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of
Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee, the
Debenture Trustee shall transmit notice of such Event of Default to all
Securityholders as their names and addresses appear on the Security Register,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.
SECTION 5.09 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by
its 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 Debenture Trustee for any action
taken or omitted by it as Debenture Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in
such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court
may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant;
but the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall not apply to any suit instituted
by the Debenture Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group
of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any
Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums,
if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Security against the Corporation
on or after the same shall have become due and payable.
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
With respect to the holders of the Securities issued hereunder, the
Debenture Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default (which, other
than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof, is known to the
Debenture Trustee) and after the curing or waiving of all such 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
(which, other than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof, is known
to the Debenture Trustee) has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the
Debenture Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in
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it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his or her own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Debenture 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 (which, other
than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof, is
known to the Debenture Trustee) and after the curing or
waiving of all such Events of Default which may have occurred,
(1) the duties and obligations of the Debenture Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions
of this Indenture, and the Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Debenture Trustee, the Debenture Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements
and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon any certificate or opinion furnished to
the Debenture Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of
any such certificate or opinion which by any
provision hereof are specifically required to be
furnished to the Debenture Trustee, the Debenture
Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to
determine whether or not it conforms on its face to
the requirements of this Indenture;
(b) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable for any
error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible
Officer or Responsible Officers, unless it shall be
proved that the Debenture Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable with
respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by
it in good faith in accordance with the direction of
the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.07,
relating to the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Debenture Trustee, under this
Indenture.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Debenture Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise
of any of its rights or powers, if it reasonably believes that the repayment of
such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this
Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to
it.
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SECTION 6.02 RELIANCE ON DOCUMENTS, OPINIONS, ETC.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:
(a) the Debenture Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture
or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Corporation
mentioned herein may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may
be evidenced to the Debenture Trustee by a copy thereof
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation;
(c) the Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise
any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at
the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders,
pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such
Securityholders shall have offered to the Debenture Trustee
reasonable and sufficient security or indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein
or thereby;
(e) the Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee of the
obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (which,
other than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof,
is known to the Debenture Trustee) (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 its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or
use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs;
(f) the Debenture Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested
in writing to do so by the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the
Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee, not reasonably
assured to the Debenture Trustee
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by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture,
the Debenture Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against
such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;
(g) the Debenture 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 Debenture 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;
(h) the Debenture Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of
any Default or Event of Default unless (1) such Default or
Event of Default falls within Section 5.01(a) (other than a
default with respect to the payment of Compounded Interest,
Liquidated Damages or Additional Sums) or Section 5.01(b) of
the Indenture, (2) a Responsible Officer shall have actual
knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (3) written
notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been
given to the Debenture Trustee by the Corporation or any other
obligor on the Securities or by any holder of the Securities;
and
(i) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith, without
negligence or willful misconduct and believed by it to be
authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers
conferred upon it by this Indenture.
SECTION 6.03 NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECITALS, ETC.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except in the
certificate of authentication of the Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Corporation, and the Debenture
Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the
correctness of the same. The Debenture Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make
no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the
Securities. The Debenture Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Corporation of any Securities or
the proceeds of any Securities authenticated and delivered by the Debenture
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture.
SECTION 6.04 DEBENTURE TRUSTEE, AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENTS,
TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRAR MAY OWN SECURITIES.
The Debenture Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent
or any transfer agent or any security registrar for the Securities, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
with the same rights it would have if it were not Debenture Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or security registrar for the
Securities.
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SECTION 6.05 MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys received by the
Debenture 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 Debenture 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 Corporation. 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 Corporation, signed by an Officer
thereof.
SECTION 6.06 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
The Corporation, as issuer of Securities under this Indenture,
covenants and agrees to pay to the Debenture Trustee from time to time, and the
Debenture Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to
in writing between the Corporation and the Debenture 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 Corporation will pay or reimburse the Debenture Trustee
upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Debenture 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 Corporation also covenants to indemnify each of
the Debenture Trustee (including in its individual capacity) and any predecessor
Debenture Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and
to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, action, suit,
liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of
the Debenture Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of
the Debenture 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. The obligations of the Corporation under
this Section 6.06 to compensate and indemnify the Debenture Trustee and to pay
or reimburse the Debenture 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 Securities upon all property and
funds held or collected by the Debenture Trustee as such, except funds held in
trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.
When the Debenture Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section
5.01(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its
counsel) and the compensation for its services are intended to constitute
expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal
of the Debenture Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this
Indenture.
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SECTION 6.07 OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE AS EVIDENCE.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01 and 6.02, whenever in the
administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee, be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Debenture Trustee, and such Officers' Certificate, in the absence of negligence
or bad faith on the part of the Debenture Trustee, shall be full warrant to the
Debenture 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 DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
If the Debenture Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Debenture Trustee and the Corporation shall in all respects comply with the
provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 6.09 ELIGIBILITY OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
The Debenture Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a Person
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 fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000) and subject to
supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of
Columbia authority. If such Person 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 Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital
and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
The Corporation may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Corporation, serve
as Debenture Trustee.
In case at any time the Debenture Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Debenture Trustee shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.
SECTION 6.10 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
(a) The Debenture Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter
appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation
to the Corporation and by mailing notice thereof to the holders of the
Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register.
Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Corporation shall promptly
appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, one
copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Debenture Trustee
and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have
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been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the mailing
of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning
Debenture Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona
fide holder of a Security for at least six months may, subject to the provisions
of Section 5.09, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated,
petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court
may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe,
appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(1) the Debenture Trustee shall fail to comply with the
provisions of Section 6.08 after written request
therefor by the Corporation or by any Securityholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or
Securities for at least six months, or
(2) the Debenture 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 Corporation or by any such Securityholder, or
(3) the Debenture Trustee shall become incapable of
acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent,
or a receiver of the Debenture Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer
shall take charge or control of the Debenture Trustee
or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, the Corporation may remove the Debenture Trustee and
appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of
which instrument shall be delivered to the Debenture Trustee so removed and one
copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09,
any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security for at least
six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Debenture 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 Debenture
Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Debenture Trustee
and nominate a successor trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor
trustee unless within 10 days after written notification of such nomination the
Corporation 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 Debenture Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the
terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.10
provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of
a successor trustee.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Debenture 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.
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SECTION 6.11 ACCEPTANCE BY SUCCESSOR DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Corporation 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 Corporation or of the successor
trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of all 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 Corporation 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 Corporation shall mail notice of the succession of such
trustee hereunder to the holders of Securities at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Security Register. If the Corporation fails to mail such notice
within 10 days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the
successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the
Corporation.
SECTION 6.12 SUCCESSION BY MERGER, ETC.
Any Person into which the Debenture Trustee may be merged or with which
it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation
to which the Debenture Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all
or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Debenture Trustee,
shall be the successor of the Debenture 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 any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered
at the time such successor to the Debenture Trustee shall succeed to the trusts
created by this Indenture, any such successor to the Debenture Trustee may adopt
the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such
Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities
shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Debenture Trustee may
authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or
in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates
shall have the full force which the Securities or this Indenture elsewhere
provides that the certificate of the Debenture Trustee shall have; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any
predecessor Debenture Trustee or
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authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Debenture Trustee shall
apply only to its successor or successors by merger or consolidation.
SECTION 6.13 LIMITATION ON RIGHTS OF DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AS A CREDITOR.
The Debenture Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust
Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b)
of the Trust Indenture Act. A Debenture Trustee who has resigned or been removed
shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent
included therein.
SECTION 6.14 AUTHENTICATING AGENTS.
There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the
Debenture Trustee upon the request of the Corporation with power to act on its
behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of
Securities issued upon exchange or transfer thereof as fully to all intents and
purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized
to authenticate and deliver Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Debenture
Trustee shall have no liability to the Corporation for any acts or omissions of
the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of
Securities. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a Person
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state
or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws
to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $5,000,000 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal,
state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such Person 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 Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time 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 Person into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or with
which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Person
succeeding to the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be
the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor Person
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 Debenture Trustee and to the Corporation. The
Debenture 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 Corporation. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a
termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible under this Section 6.14, the Debenture Trustee may, and upon the
request of the Corporation shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent eligible under this Section 6.14, shall give written notice of such
appointment to the Corporation and shall mail notice of such appointment to all
Securityholders as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the
Security Register. Any
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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 Corporation, as issuer of the Securities, 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 Debenture
Trustee.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01 ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a
specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities may take
any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any
notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at
the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have
joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument (including by way of
electronic transmission) or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed
by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or
(b) by the record of such holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any
meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the
provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or
instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders.
If the Corporation shall solicit from the Securityholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Corporation may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, but the Corporation shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record
date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only
the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall
be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether
Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Securities have
authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the
outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such
Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six
months after the record date.
SECTION 7.02 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01, 6.02 and 8.05, proof of the
execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be
sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as
may be prescribed by the Debenture Trustee or in such
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manner as shall be satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee. The ownership of
Securities shall be proved by the Security Register or by a certificate of the
security registrar for the Securities. The Debenture Trustee may require such
additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 7.02 as it shall deem
necessary.
The record of any Securityholders' meeting shall be proved in the
manner provided in Section 8.06.
SECTION 7.03 WHO ARE DEEMED ABSOLUTE OWNERS.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security,
the Corporation, the Debenture Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying
agent, any transfer agent and any security registrar for the Securities may deem
the person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the Security
Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Security
(whether or not such Security shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving
payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject
to Section 2.06) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and
neither the Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent
nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any security registrar for the
Securities shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so
made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid and, to
the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the
liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.
SECTION 7.04 SECURITIES OWNED BY CORPORATION DEEMED NOT OUTSTANDING.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under
this Indenture, Securities that are owned by the Corporation or any other
obligor on the Securities or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Corporation or
any other obligor on the Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
for the purposes of determining whether the Debenture Trustee shall be protected
in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities which a
Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee actually knows are so owned shall
be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.04 if the pledgee
shall establish to the satisfaction of the Debenture Trustee the pledgee's right
to vote such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Corporation or any such
other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with the Corporation or any such other
obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the
Debenture Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to
the Debenture Trustee.
SECTION 7.05 REVOCATION OF CONSENTS; FUTURE HOLDERS BOUND.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Debenture
Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the holders
of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities specified in
this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security (or any
Security issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor),
subject to
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Section 7.01, the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included
in the group of Securities the holders of which have consented to such action,
may, by filing written notice with the Debenture Trustee at its principal office
and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far
as concerns such Security (or so far as concerns the principal amount
represented by any exchanged or substituted Security). Except as aforesaid, any
such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of
any Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of
whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security or any
Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS OF SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 8.01 PURPOSES OF MEETINGS.
A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to
time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following
purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Corporation or to the Debenture
Trustee, or to give any directions to the Debenture Trustee,
or to consent to the waiving of any Default hereunder and its
consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be
taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of
Article V;
(b) to remove the Debenture Trustee and nominate a successor
trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;
(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section
9.02; or
(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on
behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal
amount of such Securities under any other provision of this
Indenture or under applicable law.
SECTION 8.02 CALL OF MEETINGS BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
The Debenture Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders
to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at
such place in Wilmington, Delaware as the Debenture Trustee shall determine.
Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the
place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at
such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Securities at their addresses as
they shall appear on the Security Register. Such notice shall be mailed not less
than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
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SECTION 8.03 CALL OF MEETINGS BY CORPORATION OR SECURITYHOLDERS.
In case at any time the Corporation, pursuant to a resolution of the
Board of Directors, or the holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount
of the Securities then outstanding, shall have requested the Debenture Trustee
to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in
reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the
Debenture Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20
days after receipt of such request, then the Corporation or such Securityholders
may determine the time and the place in Columbus, Ohio for such meeting and may
call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing
notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02.
SECTION 8.04 QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person
shall be (a) a holder of one or more Securities or (b) a Person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Securities. The only
Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of
Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their
counsel and any representatives of the Debenture Trustee and its counsel and any
representatives of the Corporation and its counsel.
SECTION 8.05 REGULATIONS.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Debenture
Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any
meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and
of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of
inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and
other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the
conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Debenture Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by
the Corporation or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case
the Corporation or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be,
shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a
permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the
meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting each holder
of Securities or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security
challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any
meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section
8.02 or 8.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present,
and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
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SECTION 8.06 VOTING.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of
Securities shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the
signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial
number or numbers of the Securities held or represented by them. The permanent
chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count
all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make
and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in
triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the
proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the
secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original
reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and
affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a
copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as
provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the serial numbers of the
Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be
signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of
the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Corporation and
the other to the Debenture Trustee to be preserved by the Debenture Trustee, the
latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so
signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
The holders of the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities shall vote for
all purposes as a single class.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01 WITHOUT CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.
The Corporation and the Debenture Trustee may from time to time and at
any time amend this Indenture, without the consent of the Securityholders, for
one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the
Corporation, or successive successions, and the assumption by
the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and
obligations of the Corporation pursuant to Article X hereof;
(b) to add to the covenants of the Corporation such further
covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of
the Securityholders as the Board of Directors and the
Debenture Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of
the Securityholders, and to make the occurrence, or the
occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such
additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a Default or
an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any
of the remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set
forth; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in respect of any such
additional covenant, restriction or condition such amendment
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 Debenture Trustee upon such default;
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(c) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities
in coupon form (including Securities registrable as to
principal only) and to provide for exchangeability of such
Securities with the Securities issued hereunder in fully
registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such
purpose;
(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture;
or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or
questions arising under this Indenture, provided that any such
action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of
the holders of the Securities;
(e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the
Securities;
(f) to make provision for transfer procedures, certification,
book-entry provisions, the form of restricted securities
legends, if any, to be placed on Securities, and all other
matters required pursuant to Section 2.07 or otherwise
necessary, desirable or appropriate in connection with the
issuance of Securities to holders of Capital Securities in the
event of a distribution of Securities by the Trust following a
Dissolution Event, provided that any such action shall not
materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of
the Securities;
(g) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act; or
(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Securityholder in any material respect.
The Debenture Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Corporation
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 Debenture Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its
discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Debenture 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 Corporation and the Debenture Trustee
without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time
outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.02 WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
outstanding, the Corporation, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the
Debenture 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
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eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any
manner the rights of the holders of the Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
such amendment shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then
outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the Maturity Date of any Security,
or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (except as
contemplated by Article XVI), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change
any prepayment provisions, or make the principal thereof or any interest or
premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or
impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment
thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of
which are required to consent to any such amendment to the Indenture; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if the Securities are held by the Trust, such amendment shall not
be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of Trust
Securities shall have consented to such amendment; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if
the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security is required, such
amendment shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall
have consented to such amendment.
Upon the request of the Corporation accompanied by a copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant
Secretary authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture effecting such
amendment, and upon the filing with the Debenture Trustee of evidence of the
consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Debenture Trustee shall join with
the Corporation in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such
supplemental indenture affects the Debenture Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Debenture
Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such
supplemental indenture.
Promptly after the execution by the Corporation and the Debenture
Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this
Section, the Debenture Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Corporation, setting forth in general terms
the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their
names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the
Debenture Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental
indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under
this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the
substance thereof.
SECTION 9.03 COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT; EFFECT OF
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.
Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this
Article IX shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this
Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance
therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities under this Indenture of the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation
and the holders of Securities shall thereafter be determined, exercised and
enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments,
and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and
be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and
all purposes.
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SECTION 9.04 NOTATION ON SECURITIES.
Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a
notation in form approved by the Debenture Trustee as to any matter provided for
in such supplemental indenture. If the Corporation or the Debenture Trustee
shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of
the Debenture 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 Corporation, authenticated by the Debenture Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Securities then
outstanding.
SECTION 9.05 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE
FURNISHED TO DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
The Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and
6.02, may receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as
conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto
complies with the requirements of this Article IX.
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER AND LEASE
SECTION 10.01 CORPORATION MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
Person (whether or not affiliated with the Corporation, as the case may be), or
successive consolidations or mergers in which the Corporation or its successor
or successors, as the case may be, shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent
any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Corporation, or
its successor or successors as the case may be, as an entirety, or substantially
as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the
Corporation, or its successor or successors, as the case may be) authorized to
acquire and operate the same, PROVIDED that (a) the Corporation is the surviving
Person, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
(if other than the Corporation) or 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) if
the Corporation is not the surviving Person, upon any such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the due and punctual payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities according to
their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the
covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the
Corporation shall be expressly assumed by the surviving Person, by supplemental
indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as
then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Debenture Trustee executed and
delivered to the Debenture Trustee by the Person formed by such consolidation,
or into which the Corporation shall have been merged, or by the Person which
shall have acquired such property, as the case may be, and (c) after giving
effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
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SECTION 10.02 SUCCESSOR PERSON TO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR CORPORATION.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer
or lease, and upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Debenture Trustee and satisfactory in
form to the Debenture Trustee, of the obligation of due and punctual payment of
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities and
the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Corporation,
such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Corporation,
with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a party hereto, and the
Corporation thereupon shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation
hereunder or upon the Securities. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to
be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the
Corporation, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore
shall not have been signed by the Corporation and delivered to the Debenture
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor
Person instead of the Corporation and subject to all the terms, conditions and
limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Debenture Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Securities which
previously shall have been signed and delivered by any Officer of the
Corporation to the Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for
authentication, and any Securities which such successor Person thereafter shall
cause to be signed and delivered to the Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have
the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities
theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution
hereof.
SECTION 10.03 OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BE GIVEN DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
The Debenture 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 Corporation shall deliver to the Debenture Trustee for
cancellation all Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities
which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been
replaced as provided in Section 2.08) and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all
the Securities not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Debenture Trustee
for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to
become due and payable within one year or are to be called for prepayment within
one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee for the giving
of notice of prepayment, and the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture
Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay on the Maturity Date or upon
prepayment all of the Securities (other than any Securities which shall have
been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall
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have been replaced as provided in Section 2.08) not theretofore canceled or
delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and
premium, if any) and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, due or to become due to the
Maturity Date or prepayment date, as the case may be, but excluding, however,
the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities (1) theretofore repaid to the
Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.04, or (2) paid to
any State or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or
similar laws, and if, in either case the Corporation shall also pay or cause to
be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Corporation, then this Indenture
shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.02,
2.07, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02, 3.04, 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 hereof, which shall survive
until such Securities shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.06, 6.10
and 11.04 shall survive, and the Debenture Trustee, on demand of the Corporation
accompanied by any Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the
cost and expense of the Corporation, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; the Corporation,
however, hereby agrees to reimburse the Debenture Trustee for any costs or
expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Debenture Trustee in
connection with this Indenture or the Securities.
SECTION 11.02 DEPOSITED MONEYS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE
HELD IN TRUST BY DEBENTURE TRUSTEE.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys and U.S.
Government Obligations deposited with the Debenture 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 Corporation if acting as its
own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Securities for the payment
of which such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the
Debenture Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal,
premium, if any, and interest.
The Corporation shall pay and indemnify the Debenture Trustee against
any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S.
Governmental Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 11.05 or the principal
and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the holders of outstanding Securities.
SECTION 11.03 PAYING AGENT TO REPAY MONEYS HELD.
Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then
held by any paying agent of the Securities (other than the Debenture Trustee)
shall, upon written demand of the Corporation, be repaid to it or paid to the
Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee or any
paying agent for payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on Securities and not applied but remaining unclaimed
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by the holders of Securities for two years after the date upon which the
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Securities, as
the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the
Corporation by the Debenture Trustee or such paying agent; and the holder of any
of the Securities shall thereafter look only to the Corporation for any payment
which such holder may be entitled to collect and all liability of the Debenture
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 Corporation shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined
below) from its obligations with respect to the Securities on the 91st day after
the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied:
(a) the Corporation shall have deposited or caused to be deposited
irrevocably with the Debenture Trustee or the Defeasance Agent
(as defined below) as trust funds in trust, specifically
pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit
of the holders of the Securities (i) money in an amount, or
(ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of
interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide, not later than one day before the
due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a
combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with
respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Debenture Trustee and
the Defeasance Agent, if any, to pay and discharge each
installment of principal of and interest on and premium, if
any, in respect of the outstanding Securities on the dates
such installments of principal and interest (and premium, if
any) are due;
(b) if the Securities are then listed on any national securities
exchange, the Corporation shall have delivered to the
Debenture Trustee and the Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that the exercise of the option under
this Section 11.05 would not cause such Securities to be
delisted from such exchange;
(c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities
shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit; and
(d) the Corporation shall have delivered to the Debenture Trustee
and the Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that holders of the Securities will not recognize
income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax
purposes as a result of the exercise of the option under this
Section 11.05 and will be subject to United States federal
income tax on 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.
"Discharged" means that the Corporation shall be deemed to have paid
and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under,
the Securities and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture
relating to the Securities (and the Debenture Trustee, at the expense
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and request of the Corporation, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
the same), except (1) the rights of holders of Securities to receive, from the
trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and the
interest and premium, if any, on the Securities when such payments are due; (2)
the Corporation's obligations with respect to the Securities under Sections
2.07, 2.08, 5.02 and 11.04; and (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the Debenture Trustee hereunder.
"Defeasance Agent" means another financial institution which is
eligible to act as Debenture Trustee hereunder and which assumes all of the
obligations of the Debenture Trustee necessary to enable the Debenture Trustee
to act hereunder. In the event such a Defeasance Agent is appointed pursuant to
this Section, the following conditions shall apply:
(1) the Debenture Trustee shall have approval rights over the
document appointing such Defeasance Agent and the document
setting forth such Defeasance Agent's rights and
responsibilities; and
(2) the Defeasance Agent shall provide verification to the
Debenture Trustee acknowledging receipt of sufficient money
and/or U.S. Government Obligations to meet the applicable
conditions set forth in this Section 11.05.
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 12.01 INDENTURE AND SECURITIES SOLELY CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or
otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation,
covenant or agreement of the Corporation in this Indenture, or in any Security,
or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had
against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such,
past, present or future, of the Corporation or of any successor Person to the
Corporation, either directly or through the Corporation or any successor Person
to the Corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of
law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being
expressly understood that 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 issuance of the Securities.
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ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01 SUCCESSORS.
All of the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the
Corporation contained in this Indenture shall also bind the Corporation's
successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 13.02 OFFICIAL ACTS BY SUCCESSOR CORPORATION.
Any act or proceeding that, by any provision of this Indenture, is
authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or
officer of the Corporation 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 Corporation.
SECTION 13.03 SURRENDER OF CORPORATION POWERS.
The Corporation by instrument in writing executed by authority of 2/3
(two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Debenture Trustee
may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Corporation hereunder, and
thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Corporation,
as the case may be, and as to any successor Person.
SECTION 13.04 ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES, ETC.
Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is
required or permitted to be given or served by the Debenture Trustee or by the
holders of Securities on the Corporation may be given or served by being
deposited postage prepaid by first class mail, registered or certified mail,
overnight courier service or conformed telecopy addressed (until another address
is filed by the Corporation with the Debenture Trustee for the purpose) to
BancFirst Ohio Corp. at 422 Main Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701, Attention: Kim
M. Taylor. Any notice, direction, request or demand by any Securityholder to or
upon the Debenture Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or
made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of Wilmington
Trust Company at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington,
Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (unless another
address is provided by the Debenture Trustee to the Corporation for such
purpose). Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by
first class mail to his or her address shown on the Security Register kept by
the security registrar for the Securities.
SECTION 13.05 GOVERNING LAW.
This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of said State without regard to
conflict of law principles thereof.
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SECTION 13.06 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Upon any application or demand by the Corporation to the Debenture
Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the
Corporation shall furnish to the Debenture 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 Debenture Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except certificates delivered
pursuant to Section 3.05) shall include (1) a statement that the Person making
such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief
statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon
which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are
based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 13.07 BUSINESS DAYS.
In any case where the date of payment of principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on the Securities is not a Business Day, the payment of such
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities will not be made
on such date but will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, except if
such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment will be
made on the immediately preceding Business Day, with the same force and effect
as if made on the original date of payment, and no interest shall accrue for the
period from and after such date.
SECTION 13.08 TRUST INDENTURE ACT TO CONTROL.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits,
qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 318,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 13.09 TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.
The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and
sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only,
are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict
any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 13.10 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but
one and the same instrument.
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SECTION 13.11 SEPARABILITY.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture
or in the Securities shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities,
but this Indenture and the Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
SECTION 13.12 ASSIGNMENT.
The Corporation will have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporation, provided that, in the event of any
such assignment, the Corporation will remain liable for all such obligations.
Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the
benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This
Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.
SECTION 13.13 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RIGHTS.
The Corporation acknowledges that, with respect to any Securities held
by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, if the Property Trustee of such Trust
fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of the Securities
held as the assets of the Trust, any holder of Capital Securities may institute
legal proceedings directly against the Corporation to enforce such Property
Trustee's rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal
proceedings against such Property Trustee or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Corporation to
pay principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities when due,
the Corporation acknowledges that a holder of Capital Securities may directly
institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified
in the Securities.
ARTICLE XIV
PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES
SECTION 14.01 SPECIAL EVENT PREPAYMENT.
If, prior to the Initial Optional Redemption Date, a Special Event has
occurred and is continuing, then notwithstanding Section 14.02(a) but subject to
Section 14.02(c), the Corporation shall have the right, at any time within 90
days following the occurrence of such Special Event, upon (i) not less than 45
days' written notice to the Debenture Trustee and (ii) not less than 30 days nor
more than 60 days' written notice to the Securityholders, to prepay the
Securities, in whole (but not in part), at the Special Event Prepayment Price.
Following a Special Event, the Corporation shall take such action as is
necessary to promptly determine the Special Event Prepayment Price, including,
without limitation, the appointment of a Quotation Agent. The Special Event
Prepayment
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Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such
prepayment or such earlier time as the Corporation determines, provided that the
Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture Trustee an amount sufficient to pay
the Special Event Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
date such Special Event Prepayment Price is to be paid.
SECTION 14.02 OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT BY CORPORATION.
(a) Subject to Sections 14.02(b) and (c), the Corporation shall have
the right to prepay the Securities, in whole or in part, at any time on or after
the Initial Optional Redemption Date, upon (i) not more than 45 days' written
notice to the Debenture Trustee and (ii) not less than 30 days and not more than
60 days' written notice to the Securityholders, at the prepayment prices set
forth below plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) to the applicable date of
prepayment (the "Optional Prepayment Price"), if prepaid during the 12-month
period beginning October 15 of the years indicated below.
YEAR PERCENTAGE OF PRINCIPAL
2009 104.938%
2010 104.444%
2011 103.950%
2012 103.457%
2013 102.963%
2014 102.469%
2015 101.975%
2016 101.481%
2017 100.988%
2018 100.494%
2019 and thereafter 100.000%
If the Securities are only partially prepaid pursuant to this Section
14.02, the Securities to be prepaid shall be selected on a pro rata basis not
more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for prepayment from the outstanding
Securities not previously called for prepayment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with
respect to Securityholders that would be required to hold Securities with an
aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000 but more than an aggregate
principal amount of zero as a result of such pro rata prepayment, the
Corporation shall prepay Securities of each such Securityholder so that after
such prepayment such Securityholder shall hold Securities either with an
aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000 or such Securityholder no longer
holds any Securities, and shall use such method (including, without limitation,
by lot) as the Corporation shall deem fair and appropriate; PROVIDED, FURTHER,
that any such proration may be made on the basis of the aggregate principal
amount of Securities held by each Securityholder and may be made by making such
adjustments as the Corporation deems fair and appropriate in order that only
Securities in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall be
prepaid. The Optional Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon New
York City time, on the date of such prepayment or at
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such earlier time as the Corporation determines, PROVIDED that the Corporation
shall deposit with the Debenture Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the
Optional Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such
Optional Prepayment Price is to be paid.
(b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 14.02(a), upon the
entry of an order for dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the Securities thereafter will be subject to optional prepayment,
in whole only, but not in part, on or after the Initial Optional Redemption
Date, at the applicable Optional Prepayment Price and otherwise in accordance
with this Article XIV.
(c) Any prepayment of Securities pursuant to Section 14.01 or Section
14.02 shall be subject to the Corporation obtaining any and all required
regulatory approvals.
SECTION 14.03 NO SINKING FUND.
The Securities are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
SECTION 14.04 NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT; SELECTION OF SECURITIES.
In case the Corporation shall desire to exercise the right to prepay
all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities in accordance with their
terms, it shall fix a date for prepayment and shall mail a notice of such
prepayment at least 30 and not more than 60 days' prior to the date fixed for
prepayment to the holders of Securities to be so prepaid as a whole or in part
at their last addresses as the same appear on the Security Register. Such
mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by
mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Security designated for
prepayment as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the prepayment of any other Security.
Each such notice of prepayment shall specify the CUSIP number of the
Securities to be prepaid, the date fixed for prepayment, the Prepayment Price at
which the Securities are to be prepaid (or the method by which such Prepayment
Price is to be calculated), the place or places of payment where payment will be
made upon presentation and surrender of the Securities, that interest accrued to
the date fixed for prepayment will be paid as specified in said notice, and that
on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be prepaid
will cease to accrue. If less than all the Securities are to be prepaid, the
notice of prepayment shall specify the numbers of the Securities to be prepaid.
In case any Security is to be prepaid in part only, the notice of prepayment
shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be prepaid and shall
state that on and after the date fixed for prepayment, upon surrender of such
Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the portion
thereof that has not been prepaid will be issued.
By 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the prepayment date specified in
the notice of prepayment given as provided in this Section, the Corporation will
deposit with the Debenture Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount
of money sufficient to prepay on the prepayment date all the Securities so
called for prepayment at the Prepayment Price .
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SECTION 14.05 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES CALLED FOR PREPAYMENT.
If notice of prepayment has been given as provided in Section 14.04,
the Securities or portions of Securities with respect to which such notice has
been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places
stated in such notice at the Prepayment Price (subject to the rights of holders
of Securities at the close of business on a regular record date in respect of an
Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the prepayment date) and on and
after said date (unless the Corporation shall default in the payment of such
Securities at the Prepayment Price interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities or
portions of Securities so called for prepayment shall cease to accrue. On
presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in
said notice, the said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid
and prepaid by the Corporation at the applicable Prepayment Price, (subject to
the rights of holders of Securities on the close of business on a regular record
date in respect of an Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the
prepayment date).
Upon presentation of any Security prepaid in part only, the Corporation
shall execute and the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate and make available
for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a new
Security or Securities of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to
the portion of the Security so presented that has not been prepaid.
ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01 AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE
The Corporation covenants and agrees, and each holder of Securities
issued hereunder likewise covenants and agrees, that the Securities shall be
issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a
Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof,
accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.
The payment by the Corporation of the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on all Securities issued hereunder shall, to the
extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Allocable Amounts then due
and payable in respect of Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date
of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.
No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any
Default or Event of Default hereunder.
SECTION 15.02 DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.
In the event and during the continuation of any default by the
Corporation in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment
due on any Senior Indebtedness, or in the event
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that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a
default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or canceled, then, in
either case, no payment shall be made by the Corporation with respect to the
principal (including prepayment payments) of (or premium, if any) or interest on
the Securities (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, or any other amounts which may be due on the
Securities pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof). This restriction does not
apply if the total amount outstanding for such Senior Indebtedness in default is
less than $100,000; PROVIDED, such default does not relate to the indebtedness
under the loan agreement by and between the Corporation and LaSalle National
Bank currently outstanding as of the date hereof.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities,
then no payment shall be made by the Corporation with respect to the principal
(including prepayment payments) of (or premium, if any) or interest on the
Securities (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, or any other amounts which may be due on the
Securities pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) until the holders of all
Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such acceleration shall receive
payment, in full, of all Allocable Amounts due on or in respect of such Senior
Indebtedness (including any amounts due upon acceleration).
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment is
received by the Debenture Trustee, or any Securityholder, when such payment is
prohibited by the preceding paragraphs of this Section 15.02, such payment shall
be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered by the
Debenture Trustee (if the notice requested by Section 15.06 has been received by
the Debenture Trustee) or by any Securityholder, to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent of
the Allocable Amounts in respect of such Senior Indebtedness and to the extent
that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives or a trustee) notify the Debenture Trustee in writing within 90
days of such payment of the Allocable Amounts then due and owing on such Senior
Indebtedness, and only the Allocable Amounts specified in such notice to the
Debenture Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 15.03 LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY.
Upon any payment by the Corporation or distribution of assets of the
Corporation of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities,
to creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of
the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation will first be entitled to receive payment in full of Allocable
Amounts due on or in respect of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is
made by the Corporation on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on the Securities (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums
(if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, or any other amounts which may be due
on the Securities pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof); and upon any such
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the
Corporation, or distribution of assets of the Corporation of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, which the Securityholders or
the Debenture Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Corporation, except
for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Corporation or by
any receiver, trustee in
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bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or
distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the Debenture Trustee under the
Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Corporation (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the
respective Allocable Amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as
calculated by the Corporation) or their representative or representatives, or to
the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such Allocable Amounts
of Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or moneys worth, after giving effect to
any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders
or to the Debenture Trustee.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Corporation of any kind or character prohibited by
the foregoing, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the
Debenture Trustee, or any Securityholder, before the Allocable Amounts of all
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in
money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held
in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered by the Debenture
Trustee (if the Notice requested by Section 15.06 has been received by the
Debenture Trustee) or by any Securityholder, to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, as calculated by the Corporation, for application to the payment of all
Allocable Amounts of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent
necessary to pay all Allocable Amounts due on or in respect of such Senior
Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect
to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness.
For purposes of this Article XV, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Corporation as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Corporation or any other
corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the
payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article
XV with respect to the Securities to the payment of Senior Indebtedness that may
at the time be outstanding, PROVIDED that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is
assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization
or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or
readjustment. The consolidation of the Corporation with, or the merger of the
Corporation into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the
Corporation following the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as
an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms
and conditions provided for in Article X of this Indenture shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this
Section 15.03 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, comply with the conditions stated
in Article X of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.02 or in this Section
15.03 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Debenture Trustee under or
pursuant to Section 6.06 of this Indenture.
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SECTION 15.04 SUBROGATION.
Subject to the payment in full of all Allocable Amounts of Senior
Indebtedness, the rights of the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Corporation, as the case
may be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for
the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the
Securityholders or the Debenture Trustee would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of
this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
by Securityholders or the Debenture Trustee, shall, as between the Corporation,
its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, and
the holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Corporation to
or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions
of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the
relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness on the other hand.
Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Corporation,
its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation,
and the holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Corporation, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Securities the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including Compounded Interest
and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities
as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their
terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of
the Securities and creditors of the Corporation, as the case may be, other than
the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, as the case may be, nor
shall anything herein or therein prevent the Debenture Trustee or the holder of
any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law
upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this
Article XV of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash,
property or securities of the Corporation, as the case may be, received upon the
exercise of any such remedy.
SECTION 15.05 DEBENTURE TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.
Each Securityholder, by such Securityholder's acceptance thereof,
authorizes and directs the Debenture Trustee on such Securityholder's behalf to
take such action (as the Debenture Trustee, in its discretion, deems necessary
or appropriate, upon instruction or otherwise) to effectuate the subordination
provided in this Article XV and appoints the Debenture Trustee such
Securityholder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 15.06 NOTICE BY THE CORPORATION.
The Corporation shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible
Officer of the Debenture Trustee of any fact known to the Corporation that would
prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Debenture Trustee in
respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this
Indenture, the Debenture Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any facts
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that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Debenture
Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article
XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee shall have
received written notice thereof from the Corporation or a holder or holders of
Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any
such written notice, the Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article
VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such
facts exist; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Debenture Trustee shall not have
received the notice provided for in this Section 15.06 at least two Business
Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms hereof, any money may become
payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Security), then,
anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Debenture Trustee
shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same
to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any
notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior
to such date.
The Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this
Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on a written notice delivered
to it by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of
the Corporation (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), as the case may be, to
establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior
Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event
that the Debenture Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is
required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior
Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article XV, the Debenture Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Debenture Trustee as to the amount of such
Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts
pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Debenture Trustee may defer any payment to such
Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive
such payment.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Corporation referred
to in this Article XV, the Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to
conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization, dissolution, winding-up or similar case or proceeding is
pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee,
custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other
person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Debenture Trustee
or to the Securityholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled
to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Corporation, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
SECTION 15.07 RIGHTS OF THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS OF SENIOR
INDEBTEDNESS.
The Debenture Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to
all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior
Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as
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any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall
deprive the Debenture Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation,
the Debenture Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its
covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and
no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Debenture Trustee.
The Debenture Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI
of this Indenture, the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of
such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the
Corporation or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such
Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.
Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to,
the Debenture Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06.
SECTION 15.08 SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of
the Corporation to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in
any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of
the Corporation, as the case may be, or by any act or failure to act, in good
faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Corporation, as the
case may be, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture,
regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise
be charged with.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may, at any time and from
time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Debenture Trustee or the
Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and
without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or
the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Securities to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the
manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner
such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement
under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange,
release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise
securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner
for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain
from exercising any rights against the Corporation, as the case may be, and any
other Person.
ARTICLE XVI
EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
SECTION 16.01 EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD.
So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the
term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10
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consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period
during such extension period (the "Extended Interest Payment Period"), during
which Extended Interest Payment Period no interest shall be due and payable,
PROVIDED that no Extended Interest Payment Period shall end on a date other than
an Interest Payment Date or extend beyond the Maturity Date. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, interest, the payment of which has been deferred
because of the extension of the interest payment period pursuant to this Section
16.01, will bear interest thereon at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually
for each semi-annual period during the Extended Interest Payment Period
("Compounded Interest"). At the end of the Extended Interest Payment Period, the
Corporation shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the Securities,
including any Additional Sums and Compounded Interest (together, "Deferred
Interest"), that shall be payable to the holders of the Securities in whose
names the Securities are registered in the Security Register on the record date
immediately preceding the end of the Extended Interest Payment Period. Before
the termination of any Extended Interest Payment Period, the Corporation may
further defer payments of interest by further extending such Extended Interest
Payment Period, PROVIDED that such Extended Interest Payment Period, together
with all such previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest
Payment Period, shall not (i) exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods,
including the first such semi-annual period during such Extended Interest
Payment Period, (ii) end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date or (iii)
extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any
Extended Interest Payment Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the
Corporation may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the
foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extended
Interest Payment Period, except at the end thereof, but the Corporation may
prepay at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued during an Extended
Interest Payment Period.
SECTION 16.02 NOTICE OF EXTENSION.
(a) If the Property Trustee is the only holder of the Securities at the
time the Corporation elects to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period, the
Corporation shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Debenture Trustee of its election to commence such
Extended Interest Payment Period at least five Business Days before the earlier
of (i) the next succeeding date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities
would have been payable, and (ii) the date the Property Trustee is required to
give notice of the record date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to
any national securities exchange or to holders of the Capital Securities, but in
any event at least five Business Days before such record date.
(b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Securities at
the time the Corporation elects to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period,
the Corporation shall give the holders of the Securities and the Debenture
Trustee written notice of its election of such Extended Interest Payment Period
at least 10 Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest
Payment Date, and (ii) the date the Debenture Trustee is required to give notice
of the record or payment date of such interest payment to any national
securities exchange.
(c) The semi-annual period in which any notice is given pursuant to
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 16.02 shall be counted as one of the 10
semi-annual periods permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period
permitted under Section 16.01.
Wilmington Trust Company hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture
declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions hereinabove set forth.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
By:
-------------------------------
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief Executive Officer
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Debenture Trustee
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-65-
<PAGE> 72
EXHIBIT A
(FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)
[IF THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY INSERT: THIS SECURITY IS A
GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND
IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") OR A NOMINEE
OF DTC. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO
DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
DTC TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR
PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN
SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY
PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF
FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL IN AS MUCH AS THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO.,
HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER,
SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
(THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO
RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY
BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT
PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON
RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
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<PAGE> 73
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR
FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT
PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE
CORPORATION, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF
TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND
DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE CORPORATION. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT
IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
THE SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS
HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000. ANY ATTEMPTED
TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS
THAN $100,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE
DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON SUCH SECURITIES, AND
SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH
SECURITIES.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH
PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF
THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS
PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE
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<PAGE> 74
BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE
WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR
ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO BE BOUND
BY THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 1999, BY AND AMONG
THE TRUST, THE ISSUER AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED FROM
TIME TO TIME.
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<PAGE> 75
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE CERTIFICATE
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
CUSIP No.: [_____________]
$[_________________________]
9.875% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
DUE OCTOBER 15, 2029 Series A/Series B
BancFirst Ohio Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Corporation," which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to BFOH Capital Trust I or registered
assigns, the principal sum of $20,619,000 (Twenty Million Six Hundred Nineteen
Thousand Dollars) on October 15, 2029 (the "Maturity Date"), unless previously
prepaid, and to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount hereof from
October 18, 1999, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date,
an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for, semi-annually (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on April
15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2000 at the rate of __% per
annum, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any
overdue principal and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest at the same rate per annum compounded
semi-annually ("Compounded Interest"). The amount of interest payable hereon
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30- day months. In
the event that any date on which the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on this Security is payable is not a Business Day (as defined in the
Indenture), then the payment payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Year, except that if such next succeeding
Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month such payment shall be
made on the immediately preceding 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. Pursuant to the Indenture, in certain circumstances the
Corporation will be required to pay Additional Sums (as defined in the
Indenture) with respect to this Security. Pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, in certain limited circumstances
the Corporation will be required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement) with respect
to this Security.
The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be at the
close of business on the first day of the month in which the relevant Interest
Payment Date falls. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly
provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such regular
record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or
more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date to be fixed by the Debenture Trustee for the payment of such
defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Securities
not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any
time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
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<PAGE> 76
securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice
as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the
Indenture.
The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on this Security shall be payable at the office or agency of the Debenture
Trustee maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States
of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payment of interest may be made at the
option of the Corporation by (i) check mailed to the holder at such address as
shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained
by the Person entitled thereto, provided that proper written transfer
instructions have been received by the relevant record date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the holder of this Security is the Property Trustee of
BFOH Capital Trust I, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security will be made at such place and to
such account as may be designated by such Property Trustee.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject
to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this
Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Debenture Trustee on his or her
behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or
effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Debenture Trustee
his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof,
by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of
the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each
holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred,
and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
This Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of
Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Debenture
Trustee.
The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side
hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.
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<PAGE> 77
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this instrument to be
duly executed and sealed this [___] day of October, 1999.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
By:
-------------------------------
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the 9.875% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures Series A/Series B, of BANCFIRST OHIO CORP. referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
not in its individual capacity but solely as
Debenture Trustee
Dated: ---------------- By:
-------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
A-6
<PAGE> 78
(FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY)
This Security is one of the Securities of the Corporation (herein
sometimes referred to as the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of October
18, 1999 (the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Corporation
and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), to
which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
Debenture Trustee, the Corporation and the holders of the Securities.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined in
the Indenture) prior to October 15, 2009 (the "Initial Optional Redemption
Date"), the Corporation shall have the right, at any time within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Special Event, to prepay this Security in whole
(but not in part) at the Special Event Prepayment Price. "Special Event
Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment of the Securities
following a Special Event, an amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) 100% of
the principal amount of the Securities to be prepaid, or (ii) the sum, as
determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest on such Securities, discounted to
the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in the case of
each of (i) and (ii), any accrued and unpaid interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to
the date of such prepayment.
In addition, the Corporation shall have the right to prepay this
Security, in whole or in part, at any time on or after the Initial Optional
Redemption Date (an "Optional Prepayment"), at the prepayment prices set forth
below plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
thereon to the applicable date of prepayment (the "Optional Prepayment Price"),
if prepaid during the 12-month period beginning October 15, of the years
indicated below.
YEAR PERCENTAGE OF PRINCIPAL
2009 104.938%
2010 104.444%
2011 103.950%
2012 103.457%
2013 102.963%
2014 102.469%
2015 101.975%
2016 101.481%
2017 100.988%
2018 100.494%
2019 and thereafter 100.000%
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<PAGE> 79
The Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York City
time, on the date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Corporation
determines, PROVIDED that the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture
Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the date such Prepayment Price is to be paid. Any prepayment
pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than
60 days' prior written notice.
If the Securities are only partially prepaid by the Corporation
pursuant to an Optional Prepayment, the particular Securities to be prepaid
shall be selected on a pro rata basis from the outstanding Securities not
previously called for prepayment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to
Securityholders that would be required to hold Securities with an aggregate
principal amount of less than $100,000 but more than an aggregate principal
amount of zero as a result of such pro rata prepayment, the Corporation shall
prepay Securities of each such Securityholder so that after such prepayment such
Securityholder shall hold Securities either with an aggregate principal amount
of at least $100,000 or such Securityholder no longer holds any Securities and
shall use such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the Corporation
shall deem fair and appropriate; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that any such proration may
be made on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of Securities held by
each Securityholder thereof and may be made by making such adjustments as the
Corporation deems fair and appropriate in order that only Securities in
denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall be prepaid. In the
event of prepayment of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities
for the portion hereof that has not been prepaid will be issued in the name of
the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prepayment of Securities by the
Corporation shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory
approvals.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture), to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) change the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the
Indenture), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change any of the
prepayment provisions or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or
affect the right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for payment
thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities the holders of
which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture
also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, on
behalf of all of the holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the
performance of any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established
pursuant to the Indenture, and its
A-8
<PAGE> 80
consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on any of the Securities or a default in respect of any
covenant or provision under which the Indenture cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding. Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in
the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all
future holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any)
and Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security at the time and place and at
the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during
the term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period (an "Extended Interest Payment Period") of such
Securities for a period not (i) exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods,
including the first such semi-annual period during such extension period, (ii)
extending beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities or (iii) ending on a date
other than an Interest Payment Date, at the end of which period the Corporation
shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon
at the rate specified for the Securities to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law). Before the termination of any
such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Corporation may further defer
payments of interest by further extending such Extended Interest Payment Period,
PROVIDED that such Extended Interest Payment Period, together with all such
previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest Payment Period,
(i) shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods including the first
semi-annual period during such Extended Interest Payment Period, (ii) shall not
end on any date other than an Interest Payment Date, and (iii) shall not extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any such
Extended Interest Payment Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid
interest and any additional amounts then due, the Corporation may commence a new
Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No
interest shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest Payment Period,
except at the end thereof, but the Corporation may prepay at any time all or any
portion of the interest accrued during an Extended Interest Payment Period.
The Corporation has agreed that it will not (i) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock,
(ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including other Debentures) of
the Corporation that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions
of Corporation's capital stock (which includes Common Stock and preferred
stock), (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation
of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in
the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto,
(c)
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<PAGE> 81
payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, as defined in the Indenture,
(d) as a result of a reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock
for another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase
of fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of Common Stock related to the
issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit or
compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans), if at such time (1) there shall have
occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual knowledge that (a) is, or
with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute, an
Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Corporation shall not have
taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) if such Securities are held by the Property
Trustee of BFOH Capital Trust I, the Corporation shall be in default with
respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee
or (3) the Corporation shall have given notice of its election to exercise its
right to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period, and shall not have
rescinded such Notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period or any
extension thereof shall have commenced and be continuing.
Subject to (i) the Corporation having received any required regulatory
approvals and (ii) the Administrative Trustees of BFOH Capital Trust I having
received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such distribution will not
cause the holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes, the Corporation will have the right at any time to
liquidate the Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the
Trust as required by applicable law, to cause the Securities to be distributed
to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
minimum denominations of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions limitations
as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Security is
transferable by the holder hereof on the Security Register of the Corporation,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation or
the Debenture Trustee duly executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney
duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge will be
made for any such registration of transfer, but the Corporation may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in relation thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security,
the Corporation, the Debenture Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying
agent, any transfer agent and the security registrar may deem and treat the
holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall
be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the security registrar for the Securities) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any,
and (subject to the Indenture) interest due hereon and for all other purposes,
and neither the Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any authenticating
agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any security registrar
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
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<PAGE> 82
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums,
if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security, or for any claim based
hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the
Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director,
past, present or future, as such, of the Corporation or of any predecessor or
successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law,
or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such
liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for
the issuance hereof, expressly waived and released.
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
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<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.2
(FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)
[IF THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY INSERT: THIS SECURITY IS A
GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND
IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") OR A NOMINEE
OF DTC. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO
DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
DTC TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR
PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN
SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY
PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF
FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL IN AS MUCH AS THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
THE SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS
HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000. ANY ATTEMPTED
TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS
THAN $100,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE
DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON SUCH SECURITIES, AND
SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH
SECURITIES.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH
PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF
THIS
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<PAGE> 2
SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE
WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS
PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF
ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH
PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR
ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
A-2
<PAGE> 3
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE CERTIFICATE
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
CUSIP No.: [_____________]
$[_________________________]
9.875% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
DUE OCTOBER 15, 2029 Series B
BancFirst Ohio Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Corporation," which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to BFOH Capital Trust I or registered
assigns, the principal sum of $20,619,000 (Twenty Million Six Hundred Nineteen
Thousand Dollars) on October 15, 2029 (the "Maturity Date"), unless previously
prepaid, and to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount hereof from
October 18, 1999, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date,
an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for, semi-annually (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on April
15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2000 at the rate of __% per
annum, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any
overdue principal and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest at the same rate per annum compounded
semi-annually ("Compounded Interest"). The amount of interest payable hereon
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30- day months. In
the event that any date on which the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on this Security is payable is not a Business Day (as defined in the
Indenture), then the payment payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Year, except that if such next succeeding
Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month such payment shall be
made on the immediately preceding 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. Pursuant to the Indenture, in certain circumstances the
Corporation will be required to pay Additional Sums (as defined in the
Indenture) with respect to this Security.
The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be at the
close of business on the first day of the month in which the relevant Interest
Payment Date falls. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly
provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such regular
record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or
more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date to be fixed by the Debenture Trustee for the payment of such
defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Securities
not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any
time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice
as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the
Indenture.
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<PAGE> 4
The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) on this Security shall be
payable at the office or agency of the Debenture Trustee maintained for that
purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Corporation
by (i) check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the
Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the Person
entitled thereto, provided that proper written transfer instructions have been
received by the relevant record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as
the holder of this Security is the Property Trustee of BFOH Capital Trust I, the
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) on this Security will be made
at such place and to such account as may be designated by such Property Trustee.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject
to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this
Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Debenture Trustee on his or her
behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or
effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Debenture Trustee
his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof,
by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of
the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each
holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred,
and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
This Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of
Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Debenture
Trustee.
The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side
hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.
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<PAGE> 5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this instrument to be
duly executed and sealed this [___] day of _________, 2000.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
By:
----------------------------------------
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the 9.875% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures Series B, of BANCFIRST OHIO CORP. referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
not in its individual capacity but solely as
Debenture Trustee
Dated: By:
--------------- -----------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
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<PAGE> 6
(FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY)
This Security is one of the Securities of the Corporation (herein
sometimes referred to as the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of October
18, 1999 (the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Corporation
and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), to
which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
Debenture Trustee, the Corporation and the holders of the Securities.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined in
the Indenture) prior to October 15, 2009 (the "Initial Optional Redemption
Date"), the Corporation shall have the right, at any time within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Special Event, to prepay this Security in whole
(but not in part) at the Special Event Prepayment Price. "Special Event
Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to any prepayment of the Securities
following a Special Event, an amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) 100% of
the principal amount of the Securities to be prepaid, or (ii) the sum, as
determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest on such Securities, discounted to
the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in the case of
each of (i) and (ii), any accrued and unpaid interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) thereon to the date of such prepayment.
In addition, the Corporation shall have the right to prepay this
Security, in whole or in part, at any time on or after the Initial Optional
Redemption Date (an "Optional Prepayment"), at the prepayment prices set forth
below plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) thereon to the applicable date
of prepayment (the "Optional Prepayment Price"), if prepaid during the 12-month
period beginning October 15, of the years indicated below.
YEAR PERCENTAGE OF PRINCIPAL
---- -----------------------
2009 104.938%
2010 104.444%
2011 103.950%
2012 103.457%
2013 102.963%
2014 102.469%
2015 101.975%
2016 101.481%
2017 100.988%
2018 100.494%
2019 and thereafter 100.000%
The Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York City
time, on the date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Corporation
determines, PROVIDED that the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture
Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Prepayment
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<PAGE> 7
Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such Prepayment Price is to
be paid. Any prepayment pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon not less
than 30 days nor more than 60 days' prior written notice.
If the Securities are only partially prepaid by the Corporation
pursuant to an Optional Prepayment, the particular Securities to be prepaid
shall be selected on a pro rata basis from the outstanding Securities not
previously called for prepayment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to
Securityholders that would be required to hold Securities with an aggregate
principal amount of less than $100,000 but more than an aggregate principal
amount of zero as a result of such pro rata prepayment, the Corporation shall
prepay Securities of each such Securityholder so that after such prepayment such
Securityholder shall hold Securities either with an aggregate principal amount
of at least $100,000 or such Securityholder no longer holds any Securities and
shall use such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the Corporation
shall deem fair and appropriate; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that any such proration may
be made on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of Securities held by
each Securityholder thereof and may be made by making such adjustments as the
Corporation deems fair and appropriate in order that only Securities in
denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall be prepaid. In the
event of prepayment of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities
for the portion hereof that has not been prepaid will be issued in the name of
the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prepayment of Securities by the
Corporation shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory
approvals.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture), to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) change the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the
Indenture), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change any of the
prepayment provisions or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or
affect the right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for payment
thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities the holders of
which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture
also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, on
behalf of all of the holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the
performance of any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established
pursuant to the Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment
of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities or
a default in respect of any covenant or provision under which the Indenture
cannot be modified or
A-7
<PAGE> 8
amended without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding. Any
such consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless revoked as
provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and
upon all future holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued
in exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) on
this Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein
prescribed.
So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during
the term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period (an "Extended Interest Payment Period") of such
Securities for a period not (i) exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods,
including the first such semi-annual period during such extension period, (ii)
extending beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities or (iii) ending on a date
other than an Interest Payment Date, at the end of which period the Corporation
shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon
at the rate specified for the Securities to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law). Before the termination of any
such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Corporation may further defer
payments of interest by further extending such Extended Interest Payment Period,
PROVIDED that such Extended Interest Payment Period, together with all such
previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest Payment Period,
(i) shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods including the first
semi-annual period during such Extended Interest Payment Period, (ii) shall not
end on any date other than an Interest Payment Date, and (iii) shall not extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any such
Extended Interest Payment Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid
interest and any additional amounts then due, the Corporation may commence a new
Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No
interest shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest Payment Period,
except at the end thereof, but the Corporation may prepay at any time all or any
portion of the interest accrued during an Extended Interest Payment Period.
The Corporation has agreed that it will not (i) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock,
(ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including other Debentures) of
the Corporation that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions
of Corporation's capital stock (which includes Common Stock and preferred
stock), (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation
of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in
the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto,
(c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, as defined in the
Indenture, (d) as a result of a reclassification of the
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<PAGE> 9
Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series
of the Corporation's capital stock for another class or series of the
Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares
of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,
and (f) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock or
rights under any of the Corporation's benefit or compensation plans for its
directors, officers or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend
reinvestment plans), if at such time (1) there shall have occurred any event of
which the Corporation has actual knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute, an Event of Default and
(b) in respect of which the Corporation shall not have taken reasonable steps to
cure, (2) if such Securities are held by the Property Trustee of BFOH Capital
Trust I, the Corporation shall be in default with respect to its payment of any
obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee or (3) the Corporation shall
have given notice of its election to exercise its right to commence an Extended
Interest Payment Period, and shall not have rescinded such Notice, and such
Extended Interest Payment Period or any extension thereof shall have commenced
and be continuing.
Subject to (i) the Corporation having received any required regulatory
approvals and (ii) the Administrative Trustees of BFOH Capital Trust I having
received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such distribution will not
cause the holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes, the Corporation will have the right at any time to
liquidate the Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the
Trust as required by applicable law, to cause the Securities to be distributed
to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
minimum denominations of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions limitations
as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Security is
transferable by the holder hereof on the Security Register of the Corporation,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation or
the Debenture Trustee duly executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney
duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge will be
made for any such registration of transfer, but the Corporation may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in relation thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security,
the Corporation, the Debenture Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying
agent, any transfer agent and the security registrar may deem and treat the
holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall
be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the security registrar for the Securities) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any,
and (subject to the Indenture) interest due hereon and for all other purposes,
and neither the Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any authenticating
agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any security registrar
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
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<PAGE> 10
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums,
if any) on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect
hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any incorporator,
stockholder, employee, officer or director, past, present or future, as such, of
the Corporation or of any predecessor or successor Person, whether by virtue of
any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
Dated as of October 18, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
<S> <C>
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS..................................................................................2
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION............................................................10
SECTION 2.2 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES..............................................................10
SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.............................................................11
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO PROPERTY TRUSTEE........................................................11
SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT............................................11
SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER...................................................................11
SECTION 2.7 DEFAULT; NOTICE.............................................................................13
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 3.1 NAME........................................................................................13
SECTION 3.2 OFFICE......................................................................................14
SECTION 3.3 PURPOSE.....................................................................................14
SECTION 3.4 AUTHORITY...................................................................................14
SECTION 3.5 TITLE TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST..............................................................14
SECTION 3.6 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES............................................14
SECTION 3.7 PROHIBITION OF ACTIONS BY THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES........................................17
SECTION 3.8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE...................................................18
SECTION 3.9 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.................................20
SECTION 3.10 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE..........................................................22
SECTION 3.11 DELAWARE TRUSTEE............................................................................24
SECTION 3.12 EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS......................................................................25
SECTION 3.13 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES......................................25
SECTION 3.14 DURATION OF TRUST...........................................................................25
SECTION 3.15 MERGERS.....................................................................................25
ARTICLE IV
SPONSOR
SECTION 4.1 SPONSOR'S PURCHASE OF COMMON SECURITIES.....................................................27
SECTION 4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SPONSOR.............................................................27
SECTION 4.3 RIGHT TO PROCEED............................................................................28
SECTION 4.4 RIGHT TO DISSOLVE TRUST.....................................................................28
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES
<S> <C>
SECTION 5.1 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES; APPOINTMENT OF CO-TRUSTEE...............................................28
SECTION 5.2 DELAWARE TRUSTEE............................................................................29
SECTION 5.3 PROPERTY TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY...............................................................29
SECTION 5.4 CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES AND DELAWARE
TRUSTEE GENERALLY...........................................................................30
SECTION 5.5 ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES.....................................................................30
SECTION 5.6 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEES............................................31
SECTION 5.7 VACANCIES AMONG TRUSTEES....................................................................33
SECTION 5.8 EFFECT OF VACANCIES.........................................................................33
SECTION 5.9 MEETINGS....................................................................................33
SECTION 5.10 DELEGATION OF POWER.........................................................................34
SECTION 5.11 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.................................34
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 6.1 DISTRIBUTIONS...............................................................................34
ARTICLE VII
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
SECTION 7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SECURITIES.....................................................35
SECTION 7.2 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION................................................................35
SECTION 7.3 FORM AND DATING.............................................................................36
SECTION 7.4 REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND EXCHANGE AGENT..................................................38
SECTION 7.5 PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.........................................................38
SECTION 7.6 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES......................................................................38
SECTION 7.7 OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES..............................................................39
SECTION 7.8 CAPITAL SECURITIES IN TREASURY..............................................................39
SECTION 7.9 TEMPORARY SECURITIES........................................................................39
SECTION 7.10 CANCELLATION................................................................................40
SECTION 7.11 CUSIP NUMBERS...............................................................................40
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 DISSOLUTION OF TRUST........................................................................41
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
<S> <C>
SECTION 9.1 TRANSFER OF SECURITIES......................................................................42
SECTION 9.2 TRANSFER PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS........................................................43
SECTION 9.3 DEEMED SECURITY HOLDERS.....................................................................52
SECTION 9.4 BOOK-ENTRY INTERESTS........................................................................52
SECTION 9.5 NOTICES TO CLEARING AGENCY..................................................................53
SECTION 9.6 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CLEARING AGENCY....................................................53
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 10.1 LIABILITY...................................................................................53
SECTION 10.2 EXCULPATION.................................................................................54
SECTION 10.3 FIDUCIARY DUTY..............................................................................54
SECTION 10.4 INDEMNIFICATION.............................................................................55
SECTION 10.5 OUTSIDE BUSINESSES..........................................................................58
ARTICLE XI
ACCOUNTING
SECTION 11.1 FISCAL YEAR.................................................................................58
SECTION 11.2 CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS..................................................................58
SECTION 11.3 BANKING.....................................................................................59
SECTION 11.4 WITHHOLDING.................................................................................59
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 12.1 AMENDMENTS..................................................................................59
SECTION 12.2 MEETINGS OF THE HOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT..........................................61
ARTICLE XIII
REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
SECTION 13.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE..........................................63
SECTION 13.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE..........................................63
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE XIV
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
<S> <C>
SECTION 14.1 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT; LIQUIDATED DAMAGES...........................................64
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 15.1 NOTICES.....................................................................................64
SECTION 15.2 GOVERNING LAW...............................................................................66
SECTION 15.3 INTENTION OF THE PARTIES....................................................................66
SECTION 15.4 HEADINGS....................................................................................66
SECTION 15.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS......................................................................66
SECTION 15.6 PARTIAL ENFORCEABILITY......................................................................66
SECTION 15.7 COUNTERPARTS................................................................................66
TERMS OF
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A/SERIES B
9.875% COMMON SECURITIES...............................................................................I-1
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE..................................................................A1-1
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE...................................................................A2-1
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of
Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as Section of
amended Declaration
- --------------- -----------
<S> <C>
310(a) ...................................................................... 5.3
310(b) ...................................................................... 5.3(c), 5.3(d)
311(a) ...................................................................... 2.2(b)
311(b) ...................................................................... 2.2(b)
312(a) ...................................................................... 2.2(a)
312(b) ...................................................................... 2.2(b)
313 ...................................................................... 2.3
314(a) ...................................................................... 2.4, 3.6(j)
314(c) ...................................................................... 2.5
315(a) ...................................................................... 3.9
315(b) ...................................................................... 2.7(a)
315(c) ...................................................................... 3.9(a)
315(d) ...................................................................... 3.9(b)
316(a) ...................................................................... 2.6
316(c) ...................................................................... 3.6(e)
317(a) ...................................................................... 3.8(e), 3.8(h)
317(b) ...................................................................... 3.8(i), 7.5
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Declaration
and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
v
<PAGE> 7
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
Dated as of October 18, 1999
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration")
dated and effective as of October 18, 1999, by and among the Trustees (as
defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and the Holders (as defined
herein), from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Delaware Trustee (as defined herein) and the
Sponsor established BFOH Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a trust created under
the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration dated as of September
27, 1999 (the "Original Declaration"), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 27, 1999, for the sole
purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, investing the proceeds thereof
in certain Debentures of the Debenture Issuer (each as hereinafter defined), and
engaging in only those activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto;
and
WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this
Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original
Declaration;
WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this
Declaration, ratify the actions of each Trustee taken prior to the date hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto
to continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration and, in consideration
of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties,
intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
<PAGE> 8
ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not
defined in the preamble above or elsewhere herein have the respective meanings
assigned to them in this Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the
same meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this
Declaration" are to this Declaration and each Annex and Exhibit hereto, as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and
Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes
and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same
meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this
Declaration or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a term defined in the Indenture (as defined herein)
has the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in
this Declaration or the context otherwise requires; and
(g) a reference to the singular includes the plural
and vice versa.
"ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1.
"AFFILIATE" has the same meaning as given to that term in
Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"AGENT" means any Paying Agent, Registrar or Exchange
Agent.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER" of a Person means any other Person
that is authorized to legally bind such former Person.
"BOOK-ENTRY INTEREST" means a beneficial interest in the
Global Capital Security registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its
nominee, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through
book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.
2
<PAGE> 9
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday or a
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in Wilmington, Delaware or New
York, New York, are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain
closed.
"BUSINESS TRUST ACT" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 ET SEQ., as it may be amended from time
to time, or any successor legislation.
"CAPITAL SECURITIES" means, collectively, the Series A
Capital Securities and the Series B Capital Securities.
"CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE" means, collectively, the
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee.
"CAPITAL SECURITY BENEFICIAL OWNER" means, with respect to
a Book-Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry
Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a
Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing
Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance
with the rules of such Clearing Agency).
"CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE" has the meaning set forth
in Section 9.4.
"CLEARING AGENCY" means an organization registered as a
"Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as
depositary for the Capital Securities and in whose name or in the name of a
nominee of that organization shall be registered a global certificate and which
shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Capital
Securities.
"CLEARING AGENCY PARTICIPANT" means a broker, dealer,
bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the
Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited
with the Clearing Agency.
"CLOSING TIME" means the "Closing Time" as defined in the
Purchase Agreement.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"COMMISSION" means the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission as from time to time constituted, or if at any time after
the execution of this Declaration such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under applicable federal securities laws, then the
body performing such duties at such time.
"COMMON SECURITIES" has the meaning specified in Section
7.1(a).
"COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE" means a certificate
evidencing ownership of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit A-2.
3
<PAGE> 10
"COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE" means the Common Securities
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, entered into by BancFirst
Ohio Corp., with respect to the Common Securities.
"COMMON SECURITIES SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT" means the
Common Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, between
the Trust and BancFirst Ohio Corp. relating to the Common Securities.
"COMPANY INDEMNIFIED PERSON" means (a) any Administrative
Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrative Trustee; (c) any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents
of any Administrative Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the
Trust or its Affiliates.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the office of the Property
Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at
any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Declaration is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North
Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust
Administration.
"COVERED PERSON" means: (a) any officer, director,
shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust
or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.
"DEBENTURE ISSUER" means BancFirst Ohio Corp., an Ohio
corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any consolidation,
amalgamation, merger or other business combination, in its capacity as issuer of
the Debentures under the Indenture.
"DEBENTURE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT" means the Debenture
Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, between the Debenture
Issuer and the Trust in respect of the Series A Debentures.
"DEBENTURE TRUSTEE" means Wilmington Trust Company, a
Delaware banking corporation, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor
is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.
"DEBENTURES" means, collectively, the Series A Debentures
and the Series B Debentures.
"DEFAULT" means an event, act or condition that with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES" has the meaning set forth
in Section 7.3(c).
"DELAWARE TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.1.
"DIRECT ACTION" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.8(e).
4
<PAGE> 11
"DISTRIBUTION" means a distribution payable to Holders in
accordance with Section 6.1.
"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial
Clearing Agency.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" with respect to the Securities means an
Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) that has occurred and is
continuing with respect to the Debentures.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"EXCHANGE AGENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
"EXCHANGE OFFER" means the offer that may be made pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Trust to exchange Series B
Capital Securities for Series A Capital Securities and (ii) by the Debenture
Issuer to exchange Series B Debentures for Series A Debentures and to execute
the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee in respect of the Series B Capital
Securities.
"FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD" means the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System.
"FIDUCIARY INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning set forth
in Section 10.4(b).
"FISCAL YEAR" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
"GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(a).
"HOLDER" means a Person in whose name a Security or
Successor Security is registered on the register maintained by or on behalf of
the Registrar, such Person being a beneficial owner of the Trust within the
meaning of the Business Trust Act.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" means a Company Indemnified Person or
a Fiduciary Indemnified Person.
"INDENTURE" means the Indenture, dated as of the Closing
Time, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, as amended from
time to time.
"INITIAL OPTIONAL REDEMPTION DATE" has the meaning set
forth in Section 4(b) of Annex I hereto.
"INVESTMENT COMPANY" means an investment company as
defined in the Investment Company Act.
"INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT" means the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
5
<PAGE> 12
"INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4(c) of Annex I hereto.
"LEGAL ACTION" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.6(g).
"LIKE AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of
Annex I hereto.
"LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AGREEMENT" means the Liquidated
Damages Agreement, dated as of October 13, 1999, by and among the Debenture
Issuer, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as amended from time
to time.
"LIST OF HOLDERS" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a).
"MAJORITY IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT " means, with respect to
the Trust Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities
or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holders of outstanding Trust Securities voting
together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of
outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities
voting separately as a class, excluding the Trust, the Debenture Trustee or any
Affiliate thereof, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate
liquidation amount (including the amount that would be paid on redemption,
liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date
upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities
of the relevant class.
"OFFERING MEMORANDUM" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.6(b)(i).
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person,
a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered by the Trust shall be signed by at least one
Administrative Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Declaration shall
include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate
has read the covenants or conditions and the definitions relating
thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering
the Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such
examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is
necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to
whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of
each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion of counsel,
who may be an employee of the Sponsor, and who shall be acceptable to the
Property Trustee.
6
<PAGE> 13
"PARTICIPANTS" has the meaning specified in Section
7.3(b).
"PAYING AGENT" has the meaning specified in Section 7.4.
"PAYMENT AMOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
"PERSON" means a legal person, including any individual,
corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.
"PORTAL" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b)
(iii).
"PROPERTY TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.3(a).
"PROPERTY TRUSTEE ACCOUNT" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(c)(i).
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Purchase Agreement relating
to the Series A Capital Securities, dated October 13, 1999, by and among the
Trust, the Debenture Issuer and the Initial Purchaser named therein.
"QIBS" shall mean qualified institutional buyers as
defined in Rule 144A.
"QUORUM" means a majority of the Administrative Trustees
or, if there are only two Administrative Trustees, both of them.
"REDEMPTION PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section
4(a) of Annex I hereto.
"REGISTRAR" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of October 13, 1999, by and among the Trust, the
Debenture Issuer and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as amended from time
to time.
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
"REGULATORY CAPITAL EVENT" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4(c) of Annex I hereto.
"RELATED PARTY" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person
that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of
the Sponsor.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means any officer within the
Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee with direct responsibility for
the administration of this Declaration and also means,
7
<PAGE> 14
with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the
Property Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"RESTRICTED CAPITAL SECURITY" means a Capital Security
required by Section 9.2 to contain a Restricted Securities Legend.
"RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES" has the meaning
set forth in Section 7.3(c).
"RESTRICTED SECURITIES LEGEND" has the meaning set forth
in Section 9.2(i).
"RULE 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company
Act, or any successor rule or regulation.
"RULE 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as
such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.
"RULE 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as
such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.
"SECURITIES" or "TRUST SECURITIES" means the Common
Securities and the Capital Securities.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"SECURITIES GUARANTEES" means the Common Securities
Guarantee and the Capital Securities Guarantee.
"SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES" has the meaning specified in
Section 7.1(a).
"SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE" means the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, by,
BancFirst Ohio Corp. in respect of the Series A Capital Securities.
"SERIES A DEBENTURES" means the 9.875% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due October 15, 2029, Series A, of the Debenture
Issuer issued pursuant to the Indenture.
"SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES" has the meaning specified in
Section 7.1(a).
"SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE" means the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement to be entered into in connection with the
Exchange Offer by BancFirst Ohio Corp., in respect of the Series B Capital
Securities.
8
<PAGE> 15
"SERIES B DEBENTURES" means the 9.875% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due October 15, 2029, Series B, of the Debenture
Issuer to be issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with the Exchange
Offer.
"SPECIAL EVENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e)
of Annex I hereto.
"SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION PRICE" has the meaning set forth
in Section 4(c) of Annex I hereto.
"SPONSOR" means BancFirst Ohio Corp., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or other business combination, in its capacity as sponsor of the
Trust.
"SUCCESSOR DELAWARE TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.6(b)(ii).
"SUCCESSOR ENTITY" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.15(b)(i).
"SUCCESSOR PROPERTY TRUSTEE" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(f)(ii).
"SUCCESSOR SECURITIES" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.15(b)(i).
"SUPER MAJORITY" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.6(a) (ii).
"TAX EVENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) of
Annex I hereto.
"20% IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT" means, with respect to the
Trust Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or
by the Trust Indenture Act, Holders of outstanding Trust Securities voting
together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of
outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities
voting separately as a class, excluding the Trust, the Debenture Trustee or any
Affiliate thereof, who are the record owners of 20% or more of the aggregate
liquidation amount (including the amount that would be paid on redemption,
liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date
upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities
of the relevant class.
"TREASURY REGULATIONS" means the income tax regulations,
including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the
United States Treasury Department, as such regulations may be amended from time
to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" means the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"TRUST PROPERTY" means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on
deposit in or owing to the Property Trustee Account and (c) all proceeds and
rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the
time being held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to this
Declaration.
9
<PAGE> 16
"TRUSTEE" or "TRUSTEES" means each Person who has signed
this Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue as a
trustee of the Trust in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons
who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees
in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or
the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as
trustees hereunder.
"UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY" has the meaning set
forth in Section 9.2(b).
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION.
(a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration in order
for this Declaration to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which
is a trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If and to the extent that any provision of this
Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections
310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall
control.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this
Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
SECTION 2.2 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
(a) Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on
behalf of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee, unless the Property
Trustee is Registrar for the Securities, (i) within 14 days after each record
date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders ("List of
Holders") as of such record date, PROVIDED THAT, neither the Sponsor nor the
Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide
such List of Holders at any time that the List of Holders does not differ from
the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the Sponsor and
the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time,
within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of
Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given
to the Property Trustee. The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as current a
form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders
given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in
such capacity), PROVIDED THAT the Property Trustee may destroy any List of
Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations
under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
10
<PAGE> 17
SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
Within 60 days after the date hereof, and no later than
the anniversary date hereof in each succeeding year, the Property Trustee shall
provide to the Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as are required by
Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on
behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents,
reports and information as are required by Section 314 (if any) of the Trust
Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the
Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on
behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of
compliance with any conditions precedent provided for in this Declaration that
relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture
Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act may be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER.
(a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
Capital Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Capital Securities
and its consequences, PROVIDED THAT, if the underlying Event of Default under
the Indenture:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the
Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be
waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of greater
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be
waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the
Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders
of at least the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount
of the Capital Securities that the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures outstanding.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such
Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Declaration, but no
11
<PAGE> 18
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or an Event of
Default with respect to the Capital Securities or impair any right consequent
thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Capital Securities of an Event of
Default with respect to the Capital Securities shall also be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of
Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this
Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the
Common Securities.
(b) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, PROVIDED THAT, if the underlying Event of
Default under the Indenture:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except
where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to
have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as
provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of
Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable;
or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super
Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the
Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of
Default under the Declaration as provided below in this
Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration
may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least
the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount of the
Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures outstanding;
PROVIDED FURTHER, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and their consequences if all Events of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until
such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the
Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of
the Capital Securities and only the Holders of the Capital Securities will have
the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the
Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of
Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such
Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby
expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the
Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b),
upon such waiver, any such Default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default
with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have
been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default with respect to
the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.
(c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by
the Property Trustee, at the direction of the Holders of the Capital Securities,
constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this
Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of
Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of
the Trust Indenture Act
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is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.7 DEFAULT; NOTICE.
(a) The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after a
Responsible Officer has actual knowledge of the occurrence of a Default with
respect to the Securities, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders, notices of all such Defaults, unless such Defaults have been cured
before the giving of such notice or previously waived; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
except in the case of a Default arising from the nonpayment of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums
(as such terms are defined in the Indenture), if any) or Liquidated Damages, if
any (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), on any of the Debentures,
the Property Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so
long as a Responsible Officer in good faith determines that the withholding of
such notice is in the interests of the Holders.
(b) The Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except:
(i) a Default or Event of Default under Sections
5.01(a) (other than the payment or nonpayment of
Compounded Interest, Additional Sums and Liquidated
Damages) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture; or
(ii) any Default or Event of Default as to which
the Property Trustee shall have received written notice or
of which a Responsible Officer charged with the
administration of the Declaration shall have actual
knowledge.
(c) Within ten Business Days after a Responsible Officer
has actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Property
Trustee shall transmit notice of such Event of Default to the Holders of the
Capital Securities, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor, unless such
Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. The Sponsor and the
Administrative Trustees shall file annually with the Property Trustee a
certification as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to them under this Declaration.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 3.1 NAME.
The Trust is named BFOH Capital Trust I as such name may
be modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees following written
notice to the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the Holders. The
Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other
name deemed advisable by the Administrative Trustees.
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SECTION 3.2 OFFICE.
The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o
BancFirst Ohio Corp., 422 Main Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701. On ten Business
Days' prior written notice to the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the
Holders of Securities, the Administrative Trustees may designate another
principal office.
SECTION 3.3 PURPOSE.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a)
to issue and sell Securities, (b) use the proceeds from the sale of the
Securities to acquire the Debentures, and (c) except as otherwise limited
herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary, advisable or
incidental thereto, including without limitation, those activities specified in
Sections 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 and/or 3.12. The Trust shall not borrow
money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, mortgage or
pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken)
any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.
SECTION 3.4 AUTHORITY.
Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration
and to the specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees
shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the
Trust. An action taken by one or more of the Administrative Trustees in
accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the
Trust and an action taken by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust in
accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the
Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person
shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the
Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the
power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration.
SECTION 3.5 TITLE TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST.
Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the
Debentures and the Property Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this
Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the
Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the
Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust.
SECTION 3.6 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES.
Subject to Section 5.5, the Administrative Trustees acting
individually or together shall have the exclusive right, power, duty and
authority, and are hereby authorized and directed, to cause the Trust to engage
in the following activities:
(a) to execute, enter into and deliver the Common
Securities Subscription Agreement and to execute, deliver, issue and sell the
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that except
as contemplated in Section 7.1(a), (i) the Trust may issue no more
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than one series of Capital Securities and no more than one series of Common
Securities, (ii) there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the
Securities, and (iii) the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a
simultaneous issuance of both Capital Securities and Common Securities at the
Closing Time;
(b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Capital
Securities and the consummation of the Exchange Offer, at the direction of the
Sponsor, to:
(i) prepare and execute, if necessary, an offering
memorandum (the "Offering Memorandum") in preliminary and
final form prepared by the Sponsor, in relation to the
offering and sale of Series A Capital Securities to QIBs
in reliance on Rule 144A and to institutional "accredited
investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act), and to execute and file with
the Commission, at such time as is determined by the
Sponsor, any Registration Statement, including any
amendments thereto, as contemplated by the Registration
Rights Agreement;
(ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the
Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to
be necessary in order to qualify or register all or part
of the Capital Securities in any State in which the
Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Capital
Securities for sale;
(iii) execute and file an application, prepared by
the Sponsor, to permit the Capital Securities to trade or
be quoted or listed in or on the Private Offerings,
Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL")
Market or any other securities exchange, quotation system
or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market;
(iv) execute, enter into, deliver and perform the
Common Securities Subscription Agreement, the Purchase
Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Liquidated Damages Agreement and letters, documents or
instruments with DTC and other Clearing Agencies relating
to the Capital Securities; and
(v) if required, execute and file with the
Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including
any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating
to the registration of the Capital Securities under
Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, as the case
may be.
(c) to execute, enter into and deliver the Debenture
Subscription Agreement, to acquire the Series A Debentures with the proceeds of
the sale of the Series A Capital Securities and the Common Securities and to
exchange the Series A Debentures for a like principal amount of Series B
Debentures, pursuant to the Exchange Offer; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Administrative Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of
record in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders;
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(d) to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt
written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event;
(e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions
to be taken hereunder that require a record date to be established, including
and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture
Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue
relevant notices to the Holders with respect to such actions and applicable
record dates;
(f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be
required of the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;
(g) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to bring or
defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or
otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"),
unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has the exclusive power
to bring such Legal Action;
(h) to employ or otherwise engage employees, agents (who
may be designated as officers with titles), managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;
(i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's
obligations under the Trust Indenture Act;
(j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4)
of the Trust Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be
executed by any Administrative Trustee;
(k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to
carry out any of the purposes of the Trust;
(l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as,
Registrar and Exchange Agent for the Securities or to appoint a Paying Agent for
the Securities as provided in Section 7.4 except for such time as such power to
appoint a Paying Agent is vested in the Property Trustee;
(m) to give prompt written notice to the Property Trustee
and to the Holders of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its
election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the
interest payment period under the Indenture;
(n) to take all action that may be necessary or
appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid
existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under
the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such
existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders or to
enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created;
(o) to take any action, not inconsistent with this
Declaration or with applicable law, that the Administrative Trustees determine
in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities
of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:
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(i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an
Investment Company required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act;
(ii) causing the Trust to continue to be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes
as a grantor trust; and
(iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to
ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness
of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income
tax purposes;
(p) to take all action necessary to consummate the
Exchange Offer or otherwise cause the Capital Securities to be registered
pursuant to an effective registration statement in accordance with the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement;
(q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable
tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with
respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Administrative
Trustees, on behalf of the Trust; and
(r) to execute and deliver all documents, agreements,
certificates and instruments, exercise all rights and powers, perform all duties
and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary,
advisable or incidental to the foregoing or the transactions contemplated
thereby.
The Administrative Trustees must exercise the powers set
forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and
functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Administrative Trustees
shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions
of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3.
Subject to this Section 3.6, the Administrative Trustees
shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth
in Section 3.8.
Any expenses incurred by the Administrative Trustees
pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.
SECTION 3.7 PROHIBITION OF ACTIONS BY THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES.
The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) shall not, and the Administrative
Trustees shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as
required or authorized by this Declaration. Notwithstanding any provision in
this Declaration to the contrary, the Trust shall not:
(i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust
from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such
proceeds to Holders pursuant to the terms of this
Declaration and of the Securities;
(ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly
provided herein;
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(iii) possess Trust Property for other than a
Trust purpose or execute any mortgage in respect of, or
pledge, any Trust Property;
(iv) make any loans or incur any indebtedness
other than loans represented by the Debentures;
(v) possess any power or otherwise act in such
a way as to vary the Trust Property or the terms of the
Securities in any way whatsoever;
(vi) issue any securities or other evidences of
beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the
Trust other than the Securities;
(vii) other than as provided in this
Declaration or Annex I hereto, (A) direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding with respect to any
remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee
with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default
that is waivable under the Indenture, or (C) exercise any
right to rescind or annul any declaration that the
principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable;
or
(viii) consent to any amendment, modification
or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where
such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have
received an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced
in such matters to the effect that such amendment,
modification or termination will not cause more than an
insubstantial risk that the Trust will not be classified
as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes.
SECTION 3.8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
(a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by
and held of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit
of the Trust and the Holders. The right, title and interest of the Property
Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may
hereafter be appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6. Such
vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing
documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.
(b) The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right,
title and interest in the Debentures to the Administrative Trustees or to the
Delaware Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware
Trustee).
(c) The Property Trustee shall:
(i) establish and maintain a segregated
non-interest bearing trust account (the "Property Trustee
Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control
of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders and, upon
the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the
Debentures held by the Property
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Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Trustee
Account and make payments or cause the Paying Agent to
make payments to the Holders from the Property Trustee
Account in accordance with Section 6.1; funds in the
Property Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until
disbursed in accordance with this Declaration; and the
Property Trustee Account shall be an account that is
maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose
long-term unsecured indebtedness by a "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization," as that term
is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the
Securities Act, is at least equal to the rating assigned
to the Capital Securities, unless the Capital Securities
are not rated, in which case the banking institution's
long-term unsecured indebtedness shall be rated at least
investment grade by a "nationally recognized statistical
rating organization";
(ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall
be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of
the Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed
or mature; and
(iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by
the Administrative Trustees in accordance with the terms
of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities
as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the
distribution of the Debentures to Holders upon the
occurrence of certain events.
(d) The Property Trustee shall take all actions and
perform such duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee
pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and the Securities.
(e) Subject to Section 3.9(a), the Property Trustee shall
take any Legal Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of
Default of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge or the Property
Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture
Act; and if the Property Trustee shall have failed to take such Legal Action
following a written request from the Holders, the Holders of the Capital
Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, take such Legal Action,
to the same extent as if such Holders of Capital Securities held an aggregate
principal amount of Debentures equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of such
Capital Securities, without first proceeding against the Property Trustee or the
Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer
to pay the principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Debentures on the date such principal, premium, if any, or interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any,
is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date),
then a Holder of Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for
enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to
the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder (a
"Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the Holders of the Common
Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Capital Securities
to the extent of any payment made
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by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of Capital Securities in such Direct
Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Capital
Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to
the holders of the Debentures.
(f) The Property Trustee shall continue to serve as a
Trustee until either:
(i) the Trust has been completely liquidated
and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the
Holders pursuant to the terms of the Securities and this
Declaration; or
(ii) a successor Property Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance
with Section 5.6 (a "Successor Property Trustee").
(g) The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to
exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures
under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible
Officer occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, for the benefit of
Holders, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of
the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and the Securities.
(h) The Property Trustee shall be authorized to undertake
any actions set forth in ss.317(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(i) For such time as the Property Trustee is the Paying
Agent, the Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons to act as
additional Paying Agents and to pay Distributions, redemption payments or
liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and
any such Paying Agent shall comply with ss. 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any such additional Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any
time the Property Trustee remains as Paying Agent and a successor Paying Agent
or additional Paying Agents may be (but are not required to be) appointed at any
time by the Property Trustee while the Property Trustee is acting as Paying
Agent.
(j) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee
shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the
Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 3.6.
Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied to the
contrary in this Declaration or any Annex or Exhibit hereto, (i) the Property
Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that
is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section
3.3, and (ii) the Property Trustee shall not take any action that is
inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section
3.3.
SECTION 3.9 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
(a) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any
Event of Default (of which, other than in the case of Events of Default under
Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture, which the Property Trustee is
deemed to have knowledge of as provided in Section 2.7(b) hereof, a Responsible
Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing or
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waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to
perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and
in the Securities and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration
against the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has
not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer
has actual knowledge, the Property Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and
powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to
relieve the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its
own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default
(of which, other than in the case of Events of Default
under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture, which
the Property Trustee is deemed to have knowledge of as
provided in Section 2.7(b) hereof, a Responsible Officer
of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after
the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that
may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Property
Trustee shall be determined solely by the express
provisions of this Declaration and in the
Securities and the Property Trustee shall not be
liable except for the performance of such duties
and obligations as are specifically set forth in
this Declaration and in the Securities, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
this Declaration against the Property Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Property Trustee, the Property Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the
statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed therein, upon any certificates or
opinions furnished to the Property Trustee and
conforming to the requirements of this Declaration;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of any such
certificates or opinions that by any provision
hereof are specifically required to be furnished to
the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be
under a duty to examine the same to determine
whether or not on their face they conform to the
requirements of this Declaration;
(ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for
any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible
Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Property
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with
respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it
in good faith in accordance with the direction of the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Securities relating to the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Property Trustee under this
Declaration;
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(iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require
the Property Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any
of its rights or powers;
(v) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect
to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of
the Debentures and the Property Trustee Account shall be
to deal with such property in a similar manner as the
Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own
account, subject to the protections and limitations on
liability afforded to the Property Trustee under this
Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;
(vi) the Property Trustee shall have no duty or
liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness,
existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment
of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in
connection therewith;
(vii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for
any interest on any money received by it except as it may
otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor. Money held by
the Property Trustee need not be segregated from other
funds held by it except in relation to the Property
Trustee Account maintained by the Property Trustee
pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent
otherwise required by law; and
(viii) the Property Trustee shall not be
responsible for monitoring the compliance by the
Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor with their
respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the
Property Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct
of the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor.
SECTION 3.10 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:
(i) the Property Trustee may conclusively rely and
shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from
acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to
be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by
the proper party or parties;
(ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the
Administrative Trustees contemplated by this Declaration
may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;
(iii) whenever in the administration of this
Declaration, the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable
that a matter be proved or established before taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property
Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith
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on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an
Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request,
shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the
Administrative Trustees;
(iv) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see
to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument
(including any financing or continuation statement or any
filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording,
refiling or registration thereof;
(v) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel
or other experts of its selection, and the advice or
opinion of such counsel and experts with respect to legal
matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area
of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance
with such advice or opinion; such counsel may be counsel
to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include
any of its employees; and the Property Trustee shall have
the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Declaration from any court of
competent jurisdiction;
(vi) the Property Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested
in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of
any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably
satisfactory to the Property Trustee, against the costs,
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses and the expenses of the Property Trustee's
agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might
be incurred by it in complying with such request or
direction, including such reasonable advances as may be
requested by the Property Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall
be taken to relieve the Property Trustee, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default (of which, other than in
the case of Events of Default under Sections 5.01(a) and
5.01(b) of the Indenture, which the Property Trustee is
deemed to have knowledge of as provided in Section 2.7(b)
hereof, a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has
actual knowledge), of its obligation to exercise the
rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration;
(vii) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to
make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in
any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Property
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry
or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see
fit;
(viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of the
trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder
either directly or by or through agents, custodians,
nominees or attorneys, and the Property Trustee shall not
be
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responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of
any such agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed
with due care by it hereunder;
(ix) any action taken by the Property Trustee or its
agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders, and
the signature of the Property Trustee or its agents alone
shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action
and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the
authority of the Property Trustee to so act or as to its
compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this
Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced
by the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Declaration
the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive
instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right
or taking any other action hereunder, the Property Trustee
(i) may request instructions from the Holders which
instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same
proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would
be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the terms
of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or
action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right
or taking such other action until such instructions are
received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively
relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions;
(xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this
Declaration, the Property Trustee shall not be under any
obligation to take any action that is discretionary under
the provisions of this Declaration; and
(xii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any
action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good
faith, without negligence or willful misconduct, and
reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this
Declaration.
(b) No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts
or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in
any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty.
SECTION 3.11 DELAWARE TRUSTEE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration
other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise
any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and
responsibilities of the Trustees described in this Declaration (except as
required under the Business Trust Act). Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the
Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of
fulfilling the requirements of section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. In the
event the Delaware Trustee shall at any time be required to take any action or
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perform any duty hereunder, the Delaware Trustee shall be entitled to the
benefits of Section 3.9(b)(ii) to (viii), inclusive, and Section 3.10. No
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the
Delaware Trustee.
SECTION 3.12 EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS.
Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Trustees
in accordance with applicable law, each Administrative Trustee, individually, is
authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Trust any documents,
agreements, instruments or certificates that the Administrative Trustees have
the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6.
SECTION 3.13 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES.
The recitals contained in this Declaration and the
Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do
not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no
representations as to the value or condition of the Trust Property or any part
thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency
of this Declaration or the Securities.
SECTION 3.14 DURATION OF TRUST.
The Trust, unless earlier dissolved pursuant to the
provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall dissolve on October 15, 2034.
SECTION 3.15 MERGERS.
(a) The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, except as
described in Section 3.15(b) and (c) and except with respect to the distribution
of Debentures to Holders pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(iii) of this Declaration or
Section 3 of Annex I.
(b) The Trust may, at the request of the Sponsor, with the
consent of the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a
majority of the Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders,
the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, a trust organized as
such under the laws of any State; PROVIDED THAT:
(i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity")
either:
(A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Trust under the Securities; or
(B) substitutes for the Securities other securities
having substantially the same terms as the Securities
(the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor
Securities rank the same as the Securities rank in
priority with
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respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise;
(ii) the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the
Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties
as the Property Trustee with respect to the Debentures;
(iii) the Successor Securities (excluding any
securities substituted for the Common Securities) are
listed, quoted or included for trading, or any Successor
Securities will be listed, quoted or included for trading
upon notification of issuance, on any national securities
exchange or with any other organization on which the
Capital Securities are then listed, quoted or included;
(iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause
the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities)
or the Debentures to be downgraded by any nationally
recognized statistical rating organization that publishes a
rating on the Capital Securities or the Debentures;
(v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
the Holders (including the holders of any Successor
Securities) in any material respect (other than with
respect to any dilution of the interests of such Holders or
holders, as the case may be, in the Successor Entity);
(vi) the Successor Entity has a purpose
substantially identical to that of the Trust;
(vii) prior to such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease,
the Sponsor has received an opinion of independent counsel
to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect
that:
(A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges
of the Holders (including the holders of any Successor
Securities) in any material respect (other than with
respect to any dilution of the interests of such Holders
or holders, as the case may be, in the Successor
Entity);
(B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the
Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to
register as an Investment Company; and
(C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Trust
(or the Successor Entity) will
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continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes;
(viii) the Sponsor or any permitted successor or
assignee of the Sponsor owns all of the common securities
of the Successor Entity and guarantees the obligations of
the Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at
least to the extent provided by the Securities Guarantees;
and
(ix) there shall have been furnished to the Property
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
each to the effect that all conditions precedent in this
Declaration to such transaction have been satisfied.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not,
except with the consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of
the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by,
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to, any other Person or permit any other Person to
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such
consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease
would cause the Trust or the Successor Entity not to be classified as a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE IV
SPONSOR
SECTION 4.1 SPONSOR'S PURCHASE OF COMMON SECURITIES.
At the Closing Time, pursuant to the Common Securities
Subscription Agreement, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities
then issued by the Trust, in an amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital
of the Trust, at the same time as the Series A Capital Securities are issued and
sold.
SECTION 4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SPONSOR.
In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital
Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to
engage in the following activities:
(a) to prepare the Offering Memorandum, in preliminary and
final form, and to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission any
Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, as contemplated by the
Registration Rights Agreement;
(b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate
action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and
to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the
Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution
and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor
deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any
such States;
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(c) if deemed necessary or advisable by the Sponsor, to
prepare for filing by the Trust an application to permit the Capital Securities
to trade or be quoted or listed in or on the PORTAL market, or any other
securities exchange, quotation system or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National
Market;
(d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, relating
to the registration of the Capital Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of
the Exchange Act, as the case may be, including any amendments thereto; and
(e) to negotiate the terms of, execute, enter into and
deliver the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the
Liquidated Damages Agreement.
SECTION 4.3 RIGHT TO PROCEED.
The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of the Holders of
Capital Securities, in the event that a failure of the Trust to pay
Distributions on the Capital Securities is attributable to the failure of the
Debenture Issuer to pay the principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the
Debentures, to institute a proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer for
enforcement of its payment obligations in respect of the Debentures.
SECTION 4.4 RIGHT TO DISSOLVE TRUST.
The Sponsor will have the right at any time to dissolve the
Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
required by applicable law, to cause the Debentures to be distributed to the
Holders in liquidation of the Trust. Such right is subject to the Sponsor's
having received (i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such distribution
will not cause the Holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes and (ii) any required regulatory
approval.
ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES
SECTION 5.1 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES; APPOINTMENT OF CO-TRUSTEE.
The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:
(a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the
Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees;
and
(b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of
Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than
two (2); PROVIDED FURTHER that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person,
shall be a person who is a resident of the
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State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee");
(2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is
affiliated with, the Sponsor (an "Administrative Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee
shall be the Property Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to
qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also
serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, at any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part
of the Trust Property may at the time be located, the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities acting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities, and the Administrative Trustees shall have
power to appoint one or more Persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with
the Property Trustee, of all or any part of the Trust Property, or to act as
separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be
provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons
in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or
desirable, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. In case an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have
power to make any such appointment of a co-trustee.
SECTION 5.2 DELAWARE TRUSTEE.
For so long as required by the Business Trust Act, the
Delaware Trustee shall be:
(a) a natural person who is a resident of the State of
Delaware; or
(b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the
requirements of applicable law,
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of
business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and
Section 3.11 shall have no application.
The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Telephone: (302) 651-1000
Telecopier: (302) 651-8882
SECTION 5.3 PROPERTY TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY.
(a) There shall at all times be one Trustee (the "Property
Trustee") which shall act as Property Trustee and which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and
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(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States of America or any State
or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a
corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as
an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act,
authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least
fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to
supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial
or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of the supervising or
examining authority referred to above, then for the
purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital
and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately
resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).
(c) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of section 330(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as
if it were the obligor referred to in section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of section 310(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
(d) The Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in section 310 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(e) The initial Property Trustee shall be:
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Telephone: (302) 651-1000
Telecopier: (302) 651-8882
SECTION 5.4 CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES AND
DELAWARE TRUSTEE GENERALLY.
Each Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless
the Property Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural
person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through
one or more Authorized Officers.
SECTION 5.5 ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES.
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The initial Administrative Trustees shall be:
James H. Nicholson
Edward N. Cohn
Kim M. Taylor
c/o BancFirst Ohio Corp.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
(a) Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this
Declaration and except if a meeting of the Administrative Trustees is called
with respect to any matter over which the Administrative Trustees have power to
act, any power of the Administrative Trustees may be exercised by, or with the
consent of, any one such Administrative Trustee.
(b) Unless otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or
other applicable law, any Administrative Trustee acting alone is authorized to
execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Administrative Trustees
have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section
3.6.
(c) An Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney
consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the
age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the
Administrative Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute
pursuant to Section 3.6.
SECTION 5.6 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEES.
(a) Subject to Section 5.6(b) hereof and to Section 6(b) of
Annex I hereto, Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time:
(i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written
instrument executed by the Sponsor;
(ii) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing after the issuance of any Securities, by
vote of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities; and
(iii) if an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing after the issuance of the Securities,
with respect to the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, by vote of Holders of a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities voting as a class at a
meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities, and with
respect to the Administrative Trustees, in the manner set
forth in Section 5.6(a)(ii) hereof.
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(b) (i) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall
not be removed in accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a Successor Property
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the
removed Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor; and
(ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall
not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and
5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee
and delivered to the removed Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee (if the
removed Delaware Trustee is not also the Property Trustee), the Administrative
Trustees and the Sponsor.
(c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until
his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or
resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or
subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and
delivered to the other Trustees, the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation
shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified
therein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:
(i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as
the Property Trustee shall be effective:
(A) until a Successor Property Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment by
instrument executed by such Successor Property
Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor, the
Delaware Trustee (if the resigning Property Trustee
is not also the Delaware Trustee) and the resigning
Property Trustee; or
(B) until the assets of the Trust have been
completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof
distributed to the Holders; and
(ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as
the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor
Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by instrument executed by such Successor
Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Property
Trustee (if the resigning Delaware Trustee is not also the
Property Trustee), the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware
Trustee.
(d) The Holders of the Common Securities or, if an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the issuance of the
Securities, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall use their best efforts
to promptly appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an
instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.
(e) If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this
Section 5.6 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or
removal, the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee
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resigning or being removed, as applicable, may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Property Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if
any, as it may deem proper to prescribe, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or
Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(f) No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable
for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(g) At the time of resignation or removal of the Property
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, the Sponsor shall pay to such Trustee any
amounts that may be owed to such Trustee pursuant to Section 10.4.
(h) Any successor Delaware Trustee shall file an amendment
to the Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
identifying the name and principal place of business of such Successor Delaware
Trustee in the State of Delaware.
SECTION 5.7 VACANCIES AMONG TRUSTEES.
If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the
number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.l, or if the number of
Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A
resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Administrative
Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative
Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The
vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.6.
SECTION 5.8 EFFECT OF VACANCIES.
The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy,
dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a
Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, liquidate or annul the Trust or to
terminate this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative
Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an
Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6, the Administrative
Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers
granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties
imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Declaration.
SECTION 5.9 MEETINGS.
If there is more than one Administrative Trustee, meetings
of the Administrative Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of
any Administrative Trustee. Regular meetings of the Administrative Trustees may
be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Administrative Trustees.
Notice of any in-person meetings of the Administrative Trustees shall be hand
delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard
copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before such meeting. Notice of
any telephonic meetings of the Administrative Trustees or any committee thereof
shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by
facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours
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before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and
anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by
telephone) of an Administrative Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver
of notice of such meeting except where an Administrative Trustee attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity
on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless
provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Administrative
Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Administrative
Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with
respect to such matter, PROVIDED THAT, a Quorum is present, or without a meeting
by the unanimous written consent of the Administrative Trustees. In the event
there is only one Administrative Trustee, any and all action of such
Administrative Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such
Administrative Trustee.
SECTION 5.10 DELEGATION OF POWER.
(a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney
consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the
age of 21 his or her power for the pur pose of executing any documents
contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment
thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing.
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate
from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing
of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the
Trust or the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the
Administrative Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not
prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of this Declaration.
SECTION 5.11 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.
Any Person into which the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee or any Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person, as the case
may be, may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any
Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be a party,
or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust
business of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be,
shall be the successor of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the
case may be, hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided such Person shall
be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article and provided further that
such Person shall file an amendment to the Certificate of Trust with the
Delaware Secretary of State as contemplated in Section 5.6(h).
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 6.1 DISTRIBUTIONS.
Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the
applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. If and to the extent that
the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of
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interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums), premium and/or
principal on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee or Liquidated Damages
or any other payments pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or
Liquidated Damages Agreement with respect to the Debentures held by the Property
Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property
Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that
purpose, to make a distribution (a "Distribution") of the Payment Amount to
Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities.
ARTICLE VII
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
SECTION 7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SECURITIES.
(a) The Administrative Trustees shall, on behalf of the
Trust, issue one class of capital securities representing undivided preferred
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set
forth in Annex I (the "Series A Capital Securities") and one class of common
securities representing undivided common beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Common
Securities"). The Administrative Trustees shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue
one class of capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial
interests in the Trust having such terms as set forth in Annex I (the "Series B
Capital Securities") in exchange for the Series A Capital Securities accepted
for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which Series B Capital Securities shall not
bear the legends required by Section 9.2(i) unless the Holder of such Series A
Capital Securities is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Series A
Capital Securities directly from the Trust for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Series A Capital Securities or (C) a
Person who is an Affiliate of the Sponsor or the Trust. The Trust shall issue no
securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities.
(b) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance
of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust
and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.
(c) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this
Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued and,
subject to the terms of this Declaration, fully paid and nonassessable.
(d) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a
Capital Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this
Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms
of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration.
SECTION 7.2 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
(a) The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by
an Administrative Trustee. In case any Administrative Trustee of the Trust who
shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrative
Trustee before the Securities so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Securities nevertheless may be delivered as though the Person who signed such
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Securities had not ceased to be such Administrative Trustee; and any Securities
may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Security, shall be the Administrative Trustees of the Trust,
although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Declaration any such
person was not an Administrative Trustee.
(b) One Administrative Trustee shall sign the Capital
Securities for the Trust by manual or facsimile signature. Unless otherwise
determined by an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust, an
Administrative Trustee shall sign the Common Securities for the Trust by manual
signature.
A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property Trustee. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been
authenticated under this Declaration. A Common Security shall be valid upon
execution by an Administrative Trustee without any act of the Property Trustee.
Upon a written order of the Trust signed by one
Administrative Trustee, the Property Trustee shall authenticate the Capital
Securities for original issue. The aggregate number of Capital Securities
outstanding at any time shall not exceed the number set forth in Annex I hereto
except as provided in Section 7.6.
The Property Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent
acceptable to the Trust to authenticate Capital Securities. An authenticating
agent may authenticate Capital Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do
so. Each reference in this Declaration to authentication by the Property Trustee
includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same
rights as the Property Trustee hereunder with respect to the Sponsor or an
Affiliate.
SECTION 7.3 FORM AND DATING.
The Capital Securities shall be evidenced by one or more
certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities
shall be evidenced by one or more certificates substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2. The Property Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1. Certificates representing
the Securities may be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in
any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to an Administrative Trustee, as
evidenced by the execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, "CUSIP" or
other numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and
such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to
which the Trust is subject, if any, or usage, PROVIDED THAT, any such notation,
legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Administrative Trustees,
as evidenced by their execution thereof. The Trust at the direction of the
Sponsor, shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the
Property Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated the date of
its authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in
Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part
of the terms of this Declaration and, to the extent applicable, the Property
Trustee and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration,
expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
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(a) GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY. Capital Securities offered and
sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A, as provided in the Purchase Agreement,
shall be issued in the form of a single permanent global Capital Security in
definitive, fully registered form without distribution coupons with the
appropriate global legends and Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit
A-1 hereto (the "Global Capital Security"), which shall be deposited on behalf
of the purchasers of the Capital Securities represented thereby with the
Property Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, as custodian for the Clearing
Agency, and registered in the name of the Clearing Agency or a nominee of the
Clearing Agency, duly executed by the Trust and authenticated by the Property
Trustee as hereinafter provided. The number of Capital Securities represented by
the Global Capital Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by
adjustments made on the records of the Property Trustee and the Clearing Agency
or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(b) BOOK-ENTRY PROVISIONS. This Section 7.3(b) shall apply
only to the Global Capital Security and such other Capital Securities in global
form as may be authorized by the Trust to be deposited with or on behalf of the
Clearing Agency.
An Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property
Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 7.3, authenticate and make
available for delivery initially a single Global Capital Security that (i) shall
be registered in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of such Clearing
Agency, and (ii) shall be delivered by the Property Trustee to such Clearing
Agency or pursuant to such Clearing Agency's written instructions or, if no such
written instructions are received by the Property Trustee, held by the Property
Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency.
Members of, or participants in, the Clearing Agency
("Participants") shall have no rights under this Declaration with respect to the
Global Capital Security held on their behalf by the Clearing Agency or by the
Property Trustee as the custodian of the Clearing Agency or under such Global
Capital Security, and the Clearing Agency may be treated by the Trust, the
Property Trustee and any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee as the
absolute owner of such Global Capital Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Trust, the
Property Trustee or any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee from giving
effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
the Clearing Agency or impair, as between the Clearing Agency and its
Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Clearing Agency
governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in the
Global Capital Security.
(c) DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES. Except as provided in
Section 7.9 or 9.2(f)(i), owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated
Capital Securities ("Definitive Capital Securities"). Purchasers of Securities
who are "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act) and who are not QIBs will receive Capital Securities
in the form of individual certificates in definitive, fully registered form
without distribution coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend set forth
in Exhibit A-1 hereto ("Restricted Definitive Capital Securities"); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that upon registration of transfer of such Restricted Definitive
Capital Securities to a QIB, such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will,
unless the Global Capital Security has previously been exchanged, be exchanged
for an interest in the Global Capital Security pursuant to the
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provisions of Section 9.2. Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will bear
the Restricted Securities Legend set forth on Exhibit A-1 unless removed in
accordance with this Section 7.3 or Section 9.2.
SECTION 7.4 REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND EXCHANGE AGENT.
The Trust shall maintain in Wilmington, Delaware (i) an
office or agency where Capital Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer ("Registrar"), (ii) an office or agency where Capital Securities may be
presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and (iii) an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for exchange ("Exchange Agent"). The Registrar shall
keep a register of the Capital Securities and of their transfer. The Trust may
appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Exchange Agent and may appoint
one or more co-registrars, one or more additional paying agents and one or more
additional Exchange Agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The
term "Registrar" includes any additional registrar, the term "Paying Agent"
includes any additional paying agent and the term "Exchange Agent" includes any
additional Exchange Agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent, Registrar,
co-registrar or Exchange Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Paying
Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice
to the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor. The Trust
shall notify the Property Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a
party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another
entity as Registrar, Paying Agent or Exchange Agent, the Property Trustee shall
act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent,
Registrar, or Exchange Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent, Registrar and
Exchange Agent for the Common Securities.
The Trust initially appoints the Property Trustee as
Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent for the Capital Securities.
SECTION 7.5 PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.
The Trust shall require each Paying Agent other than the
Property Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust
for the benefit of Holders or the Property Trustee all money held by the Paying
Agent for the payment of liquidation amounts or Distributions, and will notify
the Property Trustee if there are insufficient funds for such purpose. While any
such insufficiency continues, the Property Trustee may require a Paying Agent to
pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee. The Trust at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee and
to account for any money disbursed by it. Upon payment over to the Property
Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Trust or an Affiliate of the Trust)
shall have no further liability for the money. If the Trust or the Sponsor or an
Affiliate of the Trust or the Sponsor acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held
by it as Paying Agent.
SECTION 7.6 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.
If a Holder claims that a Security owned by it has been
lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken or if such Security is mutilated and is
surrendered to the Trust or in the case of the Capital Securities to the
Property Trustee, an Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property
Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery a replacement
Security if the Property
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Trustee's requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be provided by the Holder
which, in the judgment of the Property Trustee, is sufficient to protect the
Trustees, the Sponsor, the Trust or any authenticating agent from any loss which
any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Trust may charge such
Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security.
SECTION 7.7 OUTSTANDING CAPITAL SECURITIES.
The Capital Securities outstanding at any time are all the
Capital Securities authenticated by the Property Trustee except for those
canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, and those described in
this Section as not outstanding.
If a Capital Security is replaced, paid or purchased
pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Property
Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced, paid or purchased
Capital Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If Capital Securities are considered paid in accordance with
the terms of this Declaration, they cease to be outstanding and Distributions on
them shall cease to accumulate.
A Capital Security does not cease to be outstanding because
one of the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor holds the Security.
SECTION 7.8 CAPITAL SECURITIES IN TREASURY.
In determining whether the Holders of the required amount of
Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Capital
Securities owned by the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor, as
the case may be, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except
that for the purposes of determining whether the Property Trustee shall be fully
protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities
which the Property Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
SECTION 7.9 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
(a) Until Definitive Capital Securities are ready for
delivery, the Trust may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the
Property Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities
shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Capital Securities but may have
variations that the Trust considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Trust shall prepare and, in the case of the
Capital Securities, the Property Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Capital
Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.
(b) The Global Capital Security deposited with the Clearing
Agency or with the Property Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency
pursuant to Section 7.3 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in
the form of Definitive Capital Securities only if such transfer complies with
Section 9.2 and (i) the Clearing Agency notifies the Sponsor that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Clearing Agency for such Global Capital
Security or if at any time such Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency"
registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each case, a clearing agency is not
appointed by the Sponsor within 90 days of receipt of such notice or
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of becoming aware of such condition, (ii) a Default or an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, or (iii) the Trust at its sole discretion elects to
cause the issuance of Definitive Capital Securities.
(c) Any Global Capital Security that is transferable to the
beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Capital Securities pursuant
to this Section 7.9 shall be surrendered by the Clearing Agency to the Property
Trustee to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without
charge, and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Capital Security, an
equal aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities of authorized
denominations in the form of Definitive Capital Securities. Any portion of the
Global Capital Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be registered
in such names as the Clearing Agency shall direct. Any Definitive Capital
Security delivered in exchange for an interest in the Restricted Global Capital
Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Sections 7.3 and 9.1, bear the
Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-l hereto.
(d) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.9(c), the Holder
of the Global Capital Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any
Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through
Participants, to take any action which such Holder is entitled to take under
this Declaration or the Securities.
(e) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events
specified in Section 7.9(b), the Trust will promptly make available to the
Property Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Capital Securities in
fully registered form without distribution coupons.
SECTION 7.10 CANCELLATION.
The Trust at any time may deliver Capital Securities to the
Property Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange
Agent shall forward to the Property Trustee any Capital Securities surrendered
to them for registration of transfer, redemption, exchange or payment. The
Property Trustee shall promptly cancel all Capital Securities surrendered for
registration of transfer, redemption, exchange, payment, replacement or
cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Capital Securities in accordance with
its customary procedures unless the Trust otherwise directs. The Trust may not
issue new Capital Securities to replace Capital Securities that it has paid or
that have been delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation or that any
Holder has exchanged.
SECTION 7.11 CUSIP NUMBERS.
The Trust in issuing the Capital Securities may use "CUSIP"
numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Property Trustee shall use
"CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Capital
Securities; PROVIDED THAT, any such notice may state that no representation is
made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Capital
Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may
be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Capital
Securities, and any such redemption shall not be
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affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Sponsor will promptly
notify the Property Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 DISSOLUTION OF TRUST.
(a) The Trust shall automatically dissolve:
(i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;
(ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution
or liquidation or its equivalent with respect to the
Sponsor; or the revocation of the Sponsor's charter and the
expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without
a reinstatement thereof;
(iii) following the distribution of a Like Amount of
the Debentures to the Holders, PROVIDED THAT, the Property
Trustee has received written notice from the Sponsor
directing the Property Trustee to dissolve the Trust (which
direction is optional, and except as otherwise expressly
provided below, within the discretion of the Sponsor), and
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that such direction and such
distribution is conditioned on (a) the receipt by the
Sponsor of any and all required regulatory approvals, and
(b) the Sponsor's receipt and delivery to the
Administrative Trustees of an opinion of independent tax
counsel experienced in such matters, which opinion may rely
on public or private rulings of the Internal Revenue
Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Capital
Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United
States federal income tax purposes as a result of the
dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of
Debentures;
(iv) upon the entry of a decree of judicial
dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent
jurisdiction;
(v) when all of the Securities shall have been
called for redemption and the amounts necessary for
redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in
accordance with the terms of the Securities;
(vi) upon the redemption or repayment of the
Debentures or at such time as no Debentures are
outstanding; or
(vii) the expiration of the term of the Trust
provided in Section 3.14.
(b) As soon as is practicable upon completion of winding up
of the Trust following the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a)
and the satisfaction of creditors of the Trust in accordance with applicable
law, the Administrative Trustees shall terminate the Trust
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by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware in accordance with the Business Trust Act.
(c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall
survive the dissolution and termination of the Trust.
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
SECTION 9.1 TRANSFER OF SECURITIES.
(a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part,
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in
accordance with the terms of the Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by
law, any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance
with this Declaration shall be null and void.
(b) Subject to this Article IX, Capital Securities may only
be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Declaration. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any
transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this
Declaration shall be null and void.
(c) For so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the
Sponsor agrees (i) not to transfer ownership of the Common Securities of the
Trust, provided that any permitted successor of the Sponsor under the Indenture
may succeed to the Sponsor's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) not to
cause, as Sponsor of the Trust, or to permit, as Holder of the Common
Securities, the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Trust, except as
provided in this Declaration and (iii) to use its best efforts to cause the
Trust (a) to remain a business trust, except in connection with the distribution
of Debentures to the Holders in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all
of the Securities, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as
permitted by this Declaration, and (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as
a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
(d) The Registrar shall provide for the registration of
Capital Securities and of the transfer of Capital Securities, which will be
effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the
Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that
may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of
any Capital Securities, an Administrative Trustee shall cause one or more new
Capital Securities to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees. Every Capital Security surrendered for registration of transfer
shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly
authorized in writing. Each Capital Security surrendered for registration of
transfer shall be delivered to the Registrar and canceled in accordance with
Section 7.10. A transferee of a Capital Security shall be entitled to the rights
and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such
transferee of a Capital Security. By acceptance of a Capital Security or any
interest therein, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by
this Declaration.
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SECTION 9.2 TRANSFER PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS.
(a) GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(b),
if Capital Securities are issued upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of
Capital Securities bearing the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in
Exhibit A-1 hereto, or if a request is made to remove such Restricted Securities
Legend on Capital Securities, the Capital Securities so issued shall bear the
Restricted Securities Legend, or the Restricted Securities Legend shall not be
removed, as the case may be, unless there is delivered to the Trust and the
Property Trustee such satisfactory evidence, which shall include an Opinion of
Counsel, as may be reasonably required by the Trust and the Property Trustee,
that neither the Restricted Securities Legend nor the restrictions on transfer
set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof are made
pursuant to an exception from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act or, with respect to Restricted Capital Securities, that such Securities are
not "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144. Upon provision of such
satisfactory evidence, the Property Trustee, at the written direction of an
Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver
Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.
(b) TRANSFERS AFTER EFFECTIVENESS OF A REGISTRATION
STATEMENT. After the effectiveness of a Registration Statement with respect to
any Capital Securities, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Capital
Securities will cease to apply (other than the legend requiring that transfers
of Capital Securities be made in blocks having an aggregate liquidation amount
of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof), and beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security without
legends will be available to transferees of such Capital Securities, upon
exchange of the transferring Holder's Restricted Definitive Capital Security or
directions to transfer such Holder's beneficial interest in the Global Capital
Security, as the case may be. No such transfer or exchange of a Restricted
Definitive Capital Security or of an interest in the Global Capital Security
shall be effective unless the transferor delivers to the Property Trustee a
certificate in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(m),
after the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, an Administrative Trustee
on behalf of the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee, upon a written
order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee, shall authenticate a
Global Capital Security without the Restricted Securities Legend (the
"Unrestricted Global Capital Security") to deposit with the Clearing Agency to
evidence transfers of beneficial interests from the Global Capital Security and
Restricted Definitive Capital Securities.
(c) TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES.
When Definitive Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or
co-registrar:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Capital
Securities; or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Capital Securities which
became mutilated, destroyed, defaced, stolen or lost, for an equal
number of Definitive Capital Securities, the Registrar or
co-registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as
requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are
met;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Definitive Capital Securities
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange:
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(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form reasonably
satisfactory to the Trust and the Registrar or
co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) in the case of Definitive Capital Securities
that are Restricted Definitive Capital Securities:
(A) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being
delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for
registration in the name of such Holder, without
transfer, certification(s) from such Holder to that
effect; or
(B) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being
transferred: (i) certification(s) in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as
the form of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1, and (ii)
if the Trust or Registrar so requests, evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them as to the
compliance with the restrictions set forth in the
Restricted Securities Legend.
(d) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF A DEFINITIVE CAPITAL
SECURITY FOR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY. A Definitive
Capital Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in the Global
Capital Security except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below.
Upon receipt by the Property Trustee of a Definitive Capital Security, duly
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form
satisfactory to the Property Trustee, together with:
(i) if such Definitive Capital Security is a
Restricted Capital Security, certification(s) in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1; and
(ii) whether or not such Definitive Capital
Security is a Restricted Capital Security, written
instructions directing the Property Trustee to make, or to
direct the Clearing Agency to make, an adjustment on its
books and records with respect to the Global Capital
Security to reflect an increase in the number of the
Capital Securities represented by such Global Capital
Security,
then the Property Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Capital Security and
cause, or direct the Clearing Agency to cause, the aggregate number of Capital
Securities represented by the Global Capital Security to be increased
accordingly. If the Global Capital Security is not then outstanding, an
Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall issue and the Property
Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of any Administrative Trustee, a
new Global Capital Security representing an appropriate number of Capital
Securities.
(e) TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF THE GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY.
Subject to Section 9.2(f), the transfer and exchange of the Global Capital
Security or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Clearing
Agency in accordance with this Declaration (including applicable restrictions on
transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Clearing Agency
therefor.
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(f) TRANSFER OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE GLOBAL CAPITAL
SECURITY FOR A DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITY.
(i) Any Person having a beneficial interest in the
Global Capital Security may upon request, but only upon 20
days prior notice to the Property Trustee, and if
accompanied by the information specified below, exchange
such beneficial interest for a Definitive Capital Security
representing the same number of Capital Securities. Upon
receipt by the Property Trustee from the Clearing Agency
or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial
interest in the Global Capital Security of written
instructions or such other form of instructions as is
customary for the Clearing Agency or the Person designated
by the Clearing Agency as having such a beneficial
interest in a Restricted Capital Security and
certification(s) from the transferor in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1, which may be submitted by
facsimile, then the Property Trustee will cause the
aggregate number of Capital Securities represented by the
Global Capital Security to be reduced on its books and
records and, following such reduction, the Trust will
execute and the Property Trustee will authenticate and
make available for delivery to the transferee a Definitive
Capital Security.
(ii) Definitive Capital Securities issued in
exchange for a beneficial interest in the Global Capital
Security pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) shall be
registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the Clearing Agency, pursuant to
instructions from its Clearing Agency Participants or
indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the
Property Trustee in writing. The Property Trustee shall
deliver such Capital Securities to the Persons in whose
names such Capital Securities are so registered in
accordance with such instructions of the Clearing Agency.
(g) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF THE GLOBAL
CAPITAL SECURITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration
(other than the provisions set forth in subsection (h) of this Section 9.2), the
Global Capital Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Clearing
Agency to a nominee of the Clearing Agency or another nominee of the Clearing
Agency or by the Clearing Agency or any such nominee to a successor Clearing
Agency or a nominee of such successor Clearing Agency.
(h) AUTHENTICATION OF DEFINITIVE CAPITAL SECURITIES. If at
any time:
(i) a Default or an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing,
(ii) the Trust, in its sole discretion, notifies
the Property Trustee in writing that it elects to cause
the issuance of Definitive Capital Securities under this
Declaration, or
(iii) the Clearing Agency notifies the Sponsor that
it is unwilling or unable to continue as Clearing Agency
for such Global Capital Security or if at any time
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such Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency"
registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each case, a
clearing agency is not appointed by the Sponsor within 90
days of receipt of such notice or of becoming aware of
such condition,
then an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust will execute, and the
Property Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Trust signed by one
Administrative Trustee requesting the authentication and delivery of Definitive
Capital Securities to the Persons designated by the Trust, will authenticate and
make available for delivery Definitive Capital Securities, equal in number to
the number of Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Security, in
exchange for such Global Capital Security.
(i) LEGEND.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraph
(ii), each Capital Security Certificate evidencing the
Global Capital Security and each Definitive Capital
Security (and all Capital Securities issued in exchange
therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend (the
"Restricted Securities Legend") in substantially the
following form:
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"),
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY
INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE
DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS
SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO,
REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE
HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER
THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE
LAST DATE ON WHICH BANCFIRST OHIO CORP. (THE
"CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS
THE OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN
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DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG
AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT
TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A
PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT
PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT
THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D)
TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE
MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE
501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER
OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF BFOH
CAPITAL TRUST I (THE "TRUST") AND THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO
ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF
COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION
SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(D) TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A
LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF
ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED OCTOBER 13, 1999.
SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH
PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A
NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE
HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT
AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR
OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME
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SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR SECTION
4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED,
(THE "CODE") (EACH A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE
UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON OF ANY
PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING
"PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER
OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION
CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR
ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING
OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF
ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED
TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF
THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN
THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER
PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR
PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF
ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH
PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A
PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE
STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
In all circumstances, each Capital Security Certificate shall bear the following
legend:
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE
TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF
NOT LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) AND
MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED
TRANSFER OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A
LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL
SECURITIES) SHALL BE
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DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY
SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE
HOLDER OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF
DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH
PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST
WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES.
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Restricted
Capital Security (including any Restricted Capital
Security represented by the Global Capital Security)
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144:
(A) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that
is a Definitive Capital Security, the Registrar shall
permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Restricted
Capital Security for a Definitive Capital Security that
does not bear the Restricted Securities Legend and
rescind any restriction on the transfer of such
Restricted Capital Security; and
(B) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that
is represented by the Global Capital Security, the
Registrar shall permit the Holder of such Global Capital
Security to exchange such Global Capital Security for
another Global Capital Security that does not bear the
Restricted Securities Legend.
(j) CANCELLATION OR ADJUSTMENT OF GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY.
At such time as all beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security have
either been exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities to the extent permitted
by this Declaration or redeemed, repurchased or canceled in accordance with the
terms of this Declaration, such Global Capital Security shall be returned to the
Clearing Agency for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Property
Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in
the Global Capital Security is exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities,
Capital Securities represented by such Global Capital Security shall be reduced
and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Property Trustee
and the Clearing Agency or its nominee to reflect such reduction.
(k) OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and
exchanges, the Trust shall execute and the Property Trustee
shall authenticate Definitive Capital Securities and the
Global Capital Security at the Registrar's or
co-registrar's request in accordance with the terms of this
Declaration.
(ii) Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be
effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such
indemnity as the Trust or the Sponsor
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may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation to it.
(iii) The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be
required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a)
Capital Securities during a period beginning at the opening
of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice
of redemption or any notice of selection of Capital
Securities for redemption and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing or (b) any Capital
Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Capital Security being
redeemed in part.
(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration
of transfer of any Capital Security, the Trust, the
Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
co-registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a
Capital Security is registered as the absolute owner of
such Capital Security for the purpose of receiving
Distributions on such Capital Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, and none of the Trust, the Property
Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Capital Securities issued upon any
registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms
of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and
shall be entitled to the same benefits under this
Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon
such registration of transfer or exchange.
(l) NO OBLIGATION OF THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
(i) The Property Trustee shall have no
responsibility or obligation to any Capital Security
Beneficial Owner, a Participant in the Clearing Agency or
other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of
the Clearing Agency or its nominee or of any Participant
thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the
Capital Securities or with respect to the delivery to any
Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than
the Clearing Agency) of any notice (including any notice of
redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with
respect to such Capital Securities. All notices and
communications to be given to the Holders and all payments
to be made to Holders under the Capital Securities shall be
given or made only to or upon the order of the registered
Holders (which shall be the Clearing Agency or its nominee
in the case of the Global Capital Security). The rights of
Capital Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only
through the Clearing Agency subject to the applicable rules
and procedures of the Clearing Agency. The Property Trustee
may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in
relying upon information furnished by the Clearing Agency
or any agent thereof with respect to its Participants and
any Capital Security Beneficial Owners.
(ii) The Property Trustee and the Registrar shall
have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or
inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on
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transfer imposed under this Declaration or under
applicable law with respect to any transfer of any
interest in any Capital Security (including any transfers
between or among Clearing Agency Participants or Capital
Security Beneficial Owners) other than to require delivery
of such certificates and other documentation or evidence
as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when
expressly required by, the terms of this Declaration, and
to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as
to form with the express requirements hereof.
(m) EXCHANGE OF SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR SERIES B
CAPITAL SECURITIES. The Series A Capital Securities shall be exchanged for
Series B Capital Securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer if the
following conditions are satisfied:
The Sponsor shall present the Property Trustee with an
Officers' Certificate certifying the following:
(A) upon issuance of the Series B Capital Securities, the
transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer have been
consummated; and
(B) the number of Series A Capital Securities properly
tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented by the
Global Capital Security and the number of Series A Capital
Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that are
represented by Definitive Capital Securities, the name of
each Holder of such Definitive Capital Securities, the
liquidation amount of Capital Securities properly tendered
in the Exchange Offer by each such Holder and the name and
address to which Definitive Capital Securities for Series B
Capital Securities shall be registered and sent for each
such Holder.
The Property Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers'
Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Series B
Capital Securities and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have been
registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and that this Declaration and
the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(q) of
the Registration Rights Agreement, shall authenticate (A) the Global Capital
Security, executed and delivered by the Trust to the Property Trustee, for
Series B Capital Securities in aggregate liquidation amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of Series A Capital Securities represented by the
Global Capital Security indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been
properly tendered and (B) Definitive Capital Securities, executed and delivered
by the Trust to the Property Trustee, representing Series B Capital Securities
registered in the names and in the liquidation amounts indicated in such
Officers' Certificate.
If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, less than all
the outstanding Series A Capital Securities shall have been properly tendered
and not withdrawn, the Property Trustee shall make an endorsement on the Global
Capital Security for Series A Capital Securities indicating the
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reduction in the number and aggregate liquidation amount represented thereby as
a result of the Exchange Offer.
The Trust shall deliver such authenticated Definitive
Capital Securities for Series B Capital Securities to the Holders thereof as
indicated in such Officers' Certificate.
(n) MINIMUM TRANSFERS. Series A Capital Securities and, if
and when issued, Series B Capital Securities may only be transferred in minimum
blocks of $100,000 aggregate liquidation amount (100 Capital Securities) and
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of Series A
Capital Securities or Series B Capital Securities in a block having an aggregate
liquidation amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be voided and of no
legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be
a Holder of such Series A Capital Securities or Series B Capital Securities for
any purpose, including, but not limited to, the receipt of Distributions on such
Capital Securities, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no
interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.
SECTION 9.3 DEEMED SECURITY HOLDERS.
The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any
Security shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole
owner and Holder of such Security for purposes of receiving Distributions and
for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Security on the
part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have actual or other notice
thereof.
SECTION 9.4 BOOK-ENTRY INTERESTS.
The Global Capital Security shall initially be registered on
the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the
Clearing Agency and no Capital Security Beneficial Owner will receive physical
delivery of a definitive Capital Security certificate (a "Capital Security
Certificate") representing such Capital Security Beneficial Owner's interests in
such Global Capital Security, except as provided in Section 9.2 and Section 7.9.
Unless and until Definitive Capital Securities have been issued to the Capital
Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.2 or Section 7.9:
(a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full
force and effect;
(b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal
with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the
payment of Distributions on the Global Capital Security and receiving approvals,
votes or consents hereunder) as the sole Holder of the Global Capital Security
and shall have no obligation to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners;
(c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4
conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this
Section 9.4 shall control; and
(d) the rights of the Capital Security Beneficial Owners
shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to
those established by law and agreements
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between such Capital Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or
the Clearing Agency Participants, and the Clearing Agency shall receive and
transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Capital Security to such
Clearing Agency Participants; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that solely for the purposes of
determining whether the Holders of the requisite amount of Capital Securities
have voted on any matter provided for in this Declaration, the Trustees, with
respect to the Global Capital Security, may conclusively rely on, and shall be
protected in relying on, any written instrument (including a proxy) delivered to
the Trustees by the Clearing Agency setting forth the Capital Security
Beneficial Owners' votes or assigning the right to vote on any matter to any
other Persons either in whole or in part; and the Clearing Agency will also make
book-entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants.
SECTION 9.5 NOTICES TO CLEARING AGENCY.
Whenever a notice or other communication to the Capital
Security Holders is required to be given by a Trustee under this Declaration,
such Trustee shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to
be given to the Holder of the Global Capital Security to the Clearing Agency and
shall have no notice obligations to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners.
SECTION 9.6 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CLEARING AGENCY.
If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as
securities depositary with respect to the Capital Securities, the Administrative
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with
respect to such Capital Securities.
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 10.1 LIABILITY.
(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the
Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:
(i) personally liable for the return of any portion
of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of
the Holders which shall be made solely from assets of the
Trust; and
(ii) required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder any
deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.
(b) The Sponsor shall be liable for all of the debts and
obligations of the Trust (other than in respect of the Securities) to the extent
not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.
(c) Pursuant to section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act,
the Holders shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability
extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
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SECTION 10.2 EXCULPATION.
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any
loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a
manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law,
except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence (or in
the case of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, negligence) or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in
relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information,
opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to
matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other
Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with
reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions,
reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities,
profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of
assets from which Distributions to Holders might properly be paid.
SECTION 10.3 FIDUCIARY DUTY.
(a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified
Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto
to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under
this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person
for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The
provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and
liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity
(other than the duties imposed on the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture
Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and
liabilities of such Indemnified Person.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:
(i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises
between any Covered Person and any Indemnified Person, or
(ii) whenever this Declaration or any other
agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an
Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or
provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust
or any Holder of Securities,
the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this
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Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or
obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise.
(c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is
permitted or required to make a decision:
(i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar
authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to
consider such interests and factors as it desires,
including its own interests, and shall have no duty or
obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or
factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or
(ii) in its "good faith" or under another express
standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such
express standard and shall not be subject to any other or
different standard imposed by this Declaration or by
applicable law.
SECTION 10.4 INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) (i) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company
Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe
that his conduct was unlawful.
(ii) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to
the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper.
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(iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person
shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action
without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability)
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii)
of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor
only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs
(i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Administrative
Trustees by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such Administrative
Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a
Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested
Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.
(v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in
paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Sponsor in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 10.4(a).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a
determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Administrative Trustees
by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees, (ii) if
such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of
disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that,
based upon the facts known to the Administrative Trustees, counsel or the Common
Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified
Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that the Common Security Holder did not
believe to be in, or believed was opposed to, the best interests of the Trust,
or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified
Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In
no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrative
Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably
determine that a Company Indemnified Person deliberately breached his duty to
the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.
(vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section
10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital
Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All
rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be
provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Company Indemnified Person
who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is
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in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect
any rights or obligations then existing.
(vii) The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture
Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the
provisions of this Section 10.4(a).
(viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references
to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity,
any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in
a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or
agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he
would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had
continued.
(ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless
otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has
ceased to be a Company Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person.
(b) The Sponsor agrees to indemnify the (i) Property
Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee
or the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders,
members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of
the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through
(iv), including the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee in their
respective individual capacities, being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified
Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against,
any and all loss, liability, damage, action, suit, claim or expense including
taxes (other than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified
Person) of any kind and nature whatsoever incurred without negligence or bad
faith on the part of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending against or investigating any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of the powers or duties of
such Fiduciary Indemnified Person hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set
forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the resignation or removal of the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of
this Declaration.
(c) The Sponsor agrees to pay the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, from time to time, such compensation for all services rendered
by the Property Trustee and the Dela ware Trustee hereunder as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing by the Sponsor and the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
to reimburse the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee upon its or their
request for all reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses),
disbursements and advances incurred or
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made by the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, in
accordance with the provisions of this Declaration, except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its or their negligence or bad
faith.
SECTION 10.5 OUTSIDE BUSINESSES.
Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and
the Property Trustee (subject to Section 5.3(c)) may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently
or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the
Trust and the Holders shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and
to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the
pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust,
shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the
Delaware Trustee, or the Property Trustee shall be obligated to present any
particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity
is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust,
and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a
partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment
or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with
the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for,
trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities
or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.
ARTICLE XI
ACCOUNTING
SECTION 11.1 FISCAL YEAR.
The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the
calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code.
SECTION 11.2 CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS.
(a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the
Administrative Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account,
records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each
transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the
accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of
accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account
and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the
end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by the Administrative Trustees.
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly
prepared and delivered to each of the Holders any annual United States federal
income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such
information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by
the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code
to
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deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrative Trustees shall
endeavor to deliver all such information statements within 30 days after the end
of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.
(c) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly
prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United
States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by
United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns
required to be filed by the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust with
any state or local taxing authority.
SECTION 11.3 BANKING.
The Trust may maintain one or more bank accounts in the name
and for the sole benefit of the Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that all payments of
funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made
directly to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall
be deposited in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such
accounts shall be designated by the Administrative Trustees; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property
Trustee Account.
SECTION 11.4 WITHHOLDING.
The Trust and the Administrative Trustees shall comply with
all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law.
The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms
or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with
respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be
requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in
fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrative Trustees shall cause
to be filed required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an
exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit
amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the
extent that the Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any
authority with respect to Distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount
withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding
to the Holder. In the event of any claim of excess withholding, Holders shall be
limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required
to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may
reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 12.1 AMENDMENTS.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration
(including Section 7 of Annex I hereto) or by any applicable terms of the
Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument
approved and executed by:
(i) the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees (or,
if there are more than two Administrative Trustees, a
majority of the Administrative Trustees);
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(ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers,
duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee,
the Property Trustee; and
(iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers,
duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee,
the Delaware Trustee.
(b) No amendment shall be made, and any such purported
amendment shall be void and ineffective:
(i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment,
the Property Trustee shall have first received an Officers'
Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that
such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms
of this Declaration (including the terms of the
Securities);
(ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment
which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or
immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee
shall have first received:
(A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust
and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by,
and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration
(including the terms of the Securities); and
(B) an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel to the
Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is
permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
Declaration (including the terms of the Securities)
and that all conditions precedent to the execution
and delivery of such amendment have been satisfied;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Property Trustee shall not be required to sign any
such amendment; and
(iii) to the extent the result of such amendment
would be to:
(A) cause the Trust to fail to continue to be
classified for purposes of United States federal
income taxation as a grantor trust;
(B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers
of the Property Trustee in contravention of the
Trust Indenture Act; or
(C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment
Company required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act.
(c) At such time after the Trust has issued any Securities
that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights,
privileges or preferences of any Holder (other than an amendment pursuant to (g)
below) may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set
forth in the terms of such Securities;
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(d) Section 10.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be
amended without the consent of all of the Holders;
(e) Article Four shall not be amended without the consent of
the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities;
(f) The rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under
Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees
shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities; and
(g) Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be
amended without the consent of the Holders to:
(i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any
provision in this Declaration that may be inconsistent with
any other provision of this Declaration or to make any
other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under this Declaration which shall not be
inconsistent with the other provisions of the Declaration;
(ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions
of the Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to
ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all
times that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure
that the Trust will not be required to register as an
Investment Company under the Investment Company Act; and
(iii) to modify, eliminate or add any provisions of
the Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to
enable the Trust or the Sponsor to conduct an Exchange
Offer in the manner contemplated by the Registration
Rights Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in each such clause above, such action shall not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders, and any
such amendments of this Declaration shall become effective when notice thereof
is given to the Holders.
SECTION 12.2 MEETINGS OF THE HOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT.
(a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may
be called at any time by the Administrative Trustees (or as provided in the
terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of
such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this
Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on
which the Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The
Administrative Trustees shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if
directed to do so by the Holders of at least 20% in Liquidation Amount of such
class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the
Administrative Trustees one or more notices in writing stating that the signing
Holders wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose
for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders calling a meeting shall
specify in writing the Capital Security Certificates held by the Holders
exercising the right to
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call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes
of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence
of this paragraph has been met.
(b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of
the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders:
(i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all
the Holders having a right to vote thereat at least seven
days and not more than 60 days before the date of such
meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the
Holders is permitted or required under this Declaration or
the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital
Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote,
consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the
Holders; any action that may be taken at a meeting of the
Holders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in
writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the
Holders owning not less than the minimum amount of
Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary to
authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all
Holders having a right to vote thereon were present and
voting; prompt notice of the taking of action without a
meeting shall be given to the Holders entitled to vote who
have not consented in writing; and the Administrative
Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to
the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action
without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the
time specified by the Administrative Trustees;
(ii) each Holder may authorize any Person to act for
it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder is entitled to
participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or
voting or participating at a meeting; no proxy shall be
valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date
thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy; every proxy
shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder executing
it; and, except as otherwise provided herein, all matters
relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall
be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations
thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and
the Holders were stockholders of a Delaware corporation;
(iii) each meeting of the Holders shall be conducted
by the Administrative Trustees or by such other Person that
the Administrative Trustees may designate; and
(iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this
Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust
Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange
on which the Capital Securities are then listed or
trading, otherwise provides, the Administrative Trustees,
in their sole discretion, shall establish all other
provisions relating to meetings of Holders, including
notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at
which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders, waiver
of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting,
the establishment
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of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or
by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise
of any such right to vote.
ARTICLE XIII
REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
SECTION 13.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE.
The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents
and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration,
and each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Property Trustee that:
(a) the Property Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation,
a national banking association or a bank or trust company, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States or the
State of Delaware as the case may be, with corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the
terms of, this Declaration;
(b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property
Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Property Trustee; and this Declaration has been duly
executed and delivered by the Property Trustee and under Delaware law (excluding
any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of
such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Declaration by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a
breach of the charter or by-laws of the Property Trustee; and
(d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or
registration with or notice to, any federal or state banking authority governing
the trust powers of the Property Trustee is required for the execution, delivery
or performance by the Property Trustee of this Declaration.
SECTION 13.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE.
The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents
and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration,
and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Delaware Trustee that:
(a) the Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation,
a national banking association or a bank or trust company, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under
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the laws of the United States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, with
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and
perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;
(b) the execution, delivery and performance by the
Delaware Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Delaware Trustee; and this Declaration has
been duly executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee and under Delaware law
(excluding any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to
general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Declaration by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a
breach of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee; and
(d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or
registration with or notice to, any federal or Delaware banking authority
governing the trust powers of the Delaware Trustee is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration;
and
(e) the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a
resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which
has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and is a Person
that satisfies for the Trust Section 3807(a) of the Business Trust Act.
ARTICLE XIV
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
SECTION 14.1 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT; LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.
The Holders of the Series A Capital Securities, the Series A
Debentures and the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee are entitled to the
benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement. In certain limited circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, the Debenture Issuer shall be
required to pay liquidated damages with respect to the Series A Debentures.
Unless otherwise stated, the term "Distribution," as used in this Declaration,
includes any and all liquidated damages.
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 15.1 NOTICES.
All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in
writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by first class mail, overnight courier service or confirmed
telecopy, as follows:
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(a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrative
Trustees at the Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address
as the Trust may give notice of to the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee
and the Holders):
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
c/o BancFirst Ohio Corp.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43017
Attention.: Kim M. Taylor
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
(b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address
set forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to
the Holders):
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telephone: (302) 651-1000
Telecopier: (302) 651-8882
(c) if given to the Property Trustee, at the Property
Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Property
Trustee may give notice of to the Holders):
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telephone: (302) 651-1000
Telecopier: (302) 651-8882
(d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the
mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the
Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust):
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43017
Attention.: Kim M. Taylor
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
(e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth
on the books and records of the Trust.
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All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when
received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class
mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused
delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice
was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered
on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 15.2 GOVERNING LAW.
This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
SECTION 15.3 INTENTION OF THE PARTIES.
It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The
provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of
the parties.
SECTION 15.4 HEADINGS.
Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this
Declaration or any provision hereof.
SECTION 15.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is
named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed
to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the
Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.
SECTION 15.6 PARTIAL ENFORCEABILITY.
If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of
such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the
remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to Persons
or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 15.7 COUNTERPARTS.
This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of
the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees to one or more of such counterpart signature
pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and
they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had
signed a single signature page.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these
presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
---------------------------
James H. Nicholson
as Administrative Trustee
---------------------------
Edward N. Cohn
as Administrative Trustee
---------------------------
Kim M. Taylor
as Administrative Trustee
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
as Delaware Trustee
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
as Property Trustee
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.,
as Sponsor and Debenture
Issuer
By:
---------------------------
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE> 74
ANNEX I
TERMS OF
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A/SERIES B
9.875% COMMON SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated
Declaration, dated as of October 18, 1999 (as amended from time to time, the
"Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Securities are set out below (each
capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the
Declaration or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Offering
Memorandum referred to below in Section 2(c) of this Annex I):
1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER.
(a) CAPITAL SECURITIES. 20,000 Series A Capital Securities of the Trust
and 20,000 Series B Capital Securities of the Trust, each series with an
aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of Twenty
Million Dollars ($20,000,000) and with a liquidation amount with respect to the
assets of the Trust of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) (the "Liquidation Amount")
per security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "
9.875% Capital Securities, Series A" and " 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B,"
respectively (collectively, the "Capital Securities"). The certificates
evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit
A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions
therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform
to the rules of any exchange or quotation system on or in which the Capital
Securities are listed, traded or quoted.
(b) COMMON SECURITIES. 619 Common Securities of the Trust with an
aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of Six
Hundred Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($619,000) and a liquidation amount with
respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per security, are hereby designated
for the purposes of identification only as " 9.875% Common Securities" (the
"Common Securities"). The certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes
and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary
usage, custom or practice.
2. DISTRIBUTIONS.
(a) Distributions on each Security will be payable at a fixed rate per
annum of 9.875% (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of $1000 per
Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be
held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
semi-annual period will bear additional Distributions thereon compounded semi-
annually at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law).
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement, in certain limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be
required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) with respect to the Debentures. The term "Distributions" as used
herein, includes distributions of any and all such interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, payable unless otherwise
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stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made with
respect to the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the
Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.
(b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accumulate
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from October 18, 1999 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing
April 15, 2000 (each, a "Distribution Date"), except as otherwise described
below. Distributions will be computed on the basis a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to
defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period at any time
and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10
consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period
during such period (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period
no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures, PROVIDED THAT no
Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the
Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a
consequence of such deferral, Distributions (other than Liquidated Damages, if
any) will also be deferred. Notwithstanding such deferral, Distributions will
continue to accumulate with additional Distributions thereon (to the extent
permitted by applicable law but not at a rate greater than the rate at which
interest is then accruing on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded
semi-annually during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any
such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of
interest by further extending such Extension Period, PROVIDED THAT such
extension does not cause such Extension Period, together with all such previous
and further extensions within such Extension Period, to exceed 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such
Extension Period, end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the
Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Upon the
termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the
Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements.
(c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the close of
business on the first day of the month in which relevant the Distribution Date
occurs, which Distribution Dates correspond to the Interest Payment Dates for
the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Declaration, each such payment with respect to the Capital
Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of Capital
Securities--Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer" in the
Offering Memorandum dated October 13, 1999 of the Debenture Issuer and the Trust
relating to the Securities and the Debentures. The relevant record dates for the
Common Securities shall be the same as the record dates for the Capital
Securities. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid
on any Distribution Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to
make a payment under the Debentures, will cease to be payable to the Holder on
the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be
payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the
special record date or other specified date deter mined in accordance with the
Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is
not a Business Day, then payment of the Distributions payable on such date will
be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that if such
next succeeding Business Day falls in the next
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succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date.
(d) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or
for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders.
3. LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION.
In the event of any dissolution of the Trust, the Trust shall
be liquidated by the Administrative Trustees as expeditiously as the
Administrative Trustees determine to be possible by distributing to the Holders,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by
applicable law, a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Debentures, unless such
distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in
which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Trust legally available for distribution to Holders, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount
equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount of $1,000 per Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount
being the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the
Securities, Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount
of Debentures to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with respect to
a distribution of Debentures upon the liquidation of the Trust, Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Securities of
the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.
If, upon any such liquidation, the Liquidation Distribution
can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets legally
available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the
amounts payable directly by the Trust with respect to the Securities shall be
paid on a Pro Rata basis.
4. REDEMPTION AND DISTRIBUTION.
(a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures (with premium, if any) in
whole or in part, at maturity or otherwise (either at the option of the
Debenture Issuer or pursuant to a Special Event, as described below), the
proceeds from such repayment shall be simultaneously applied by the Property
Trustee (subject to the Property Trustee having received written notice no later
than 45 days prior to such repayment) to redeem a Like Amount of the Securities
at a redemption price equal to (i) in the case of the repayment of the
Debentures on the Maturity Date, the Maturity Redemption Price (as defined
below), (ii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the Debentures prior to
the Initial Optional Redemption Date and upon the occurrence and continuation of
a Special Event, the Special Event Redemption Price (as defined below) and (iii)
in the case of the optional prepayment of the Debentures on or after the Initial
Optional Redemption Date, the Optional Redemption Price (as defined below). The
Maturity Redemption Price, the Special Event Redemption Price and the Optional
Redemption Price are referred to collectively as the "Redemption Price". Holders
will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior written notice of
such redemption.
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(b) (i) The "Maturity Redemption Price" shall mean an amount equal to
100% of the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any, thereon to the date of redemption) on, the
Debentures as of the Maturity Date thereof.
(ii) The Debenture Issuer shall have the right (subject to the
conditions in the Indenture) to elect to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after October 15, 2009 (the "Initial Optional Redemption
Date"), and, simultaneous with such redemption, to cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust at the Optional Redemption Price on a Pro
Rata basis. "Optional Redemption Price" shall mean an amount equal to the
applicable redemption price set forth below plus, accumulated and unpaid
Distributions thereon, if any, to the date of such redemption if redeemed during
the 12-month period beginning October 15, of the years indicated below:
Percentage of
Year Liquidation Amount
-------------------------- ------------------------------
2009 104.938%
2010 104.444%
2011 103.950%
2012 103.457%
2013 102.963%
2014 102.469%
2015 101.975%
2016 101.481%
2017 100.988%
2018 100.494%
2019 and thereafter 100.000%
(c) If at any time an Investment Company Event, a Regulatory Capital
Event or a Tax Event (each as defined below, and each a "Special Event") occurs,
the Debenture Issuer shall have the right (subject to the conditions set forth
in the Indenture) at any time prior to the Initial Optional Redemption Date, to
redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, within the 90 days following
the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period"), and, simultaneous
with such redemption, to cause a Like Amount of the Securities to be redeemed by
the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis.
"Investment Company Event" shall mean the receipt by the
Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of independent securities counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that
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as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United
States or any rules, guidelines or policies of any applicable regulatory
authority for the Debenture Issuer or (b) any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or
decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the
Securities, the Trust is, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion will be,
considered an Investment Company that is required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act.
"Regulatory Capital Event" shall mean the receipt by the
Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of independent bank regulatory
counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any
amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines
or policies of an applicable regulatory authority for the Debenture Issuer or
(b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting
or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original
issuance of the Securities, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion will not constitute, Tier 1 Capital (or its
then equivalent if the Sponsor were subject to such capital requirement);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the distribution of the Debentures in connection with
the liquidation of the Trust by the Debenture Issuer shall not in and of itself
constitute a Regulatory Capital Event.
"Special Event Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to
any redemption of the Securities following a Special Event, an amount in cash
equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be
prepaid or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present
values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such
Securities, discounted to the prepayment date on a sem-annual basis (assuming a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate,
plus, in the case of (i) or (ii), any accrued and unpaid interest thereon
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) to the date of such
prepayment.
A "Tax Event" shall occur upon receipt by the Debenture Issuer
and the Trust of an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations
thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein, or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after
the date of original issuance of the Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Debentures, (ii) the interest payable by the
Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part,
for United States federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or will be
within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis
amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
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(d) In the case of an optional redemption, if fewer than all the
outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the
Capital Securities shall be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be
redeemed will be determined as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. Upon the
entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the Debentures thereafter will be subject to optional redemption,
in whole, but not in part, on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date.
(e) On and from the date fixed by the Trustees for any distribution of
Debentures and liquidation of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be
deemed to be outstanding, (ii) the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any
successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the Holder of the Capital
Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii)
any certificates representing Securities not held by the Clearing Agency or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) will be deemed to
represent beneficial interests in a Like Amount of Debentures until such
certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissue.
(f) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities
unless all accumulated and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Securities
for all semi-annual Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of
redemption.
(g) The procedure with respect to redemptions or distributions of
Securities shall be as follows:
(i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution
Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder to be
redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before
the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of
a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures.
For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange
and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this Section
4(f)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given
on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, to Holders. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be
addressed to the Holders at the address of each such Holder appearing
in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the
Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with
respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or
exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.
(ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding
Securities are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed
shall be selected on a Pro Rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts)
not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption from the outstanding Securities not previously called for
redemption; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to Holders that would
be required to hold less than 100 but more than zero Securities as a
result of such redemption, the Trust shall redeem Securities of each
such Holder so that after such redemption such Holder shall hold either
100 Securities or such Holder no longer holds any Securities, and shall
use such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the Trust
shall deem fair and appropriate; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that any
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such redemption may be made on the basis of the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of Securities held by each Holder thereof and may be made by
making such adjustments as the Trust deems fair and appropriate in
order that fractional Securities shall not thereafter remain
outstanding. With respect to Capital Securities registered in the name
of and held of record by the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any
successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the
distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to the
Clearing Agency and disbursed by such Clearing Agency in accordance
with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee.
(iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
Redemption/ Distribution Notice (which notice will be irrevocable),
then (A) with respect to Capital Securities issued in book-entry form,
by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, PROVIDED
THAT the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient
amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of
the Debentures by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Maturity Date
or the date of redemption, as the case re quires, the Property Trustee
will deposit irrevocably with the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or
successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) immediately available funds
sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to such
Capital Securities and will give the Clearing Agency irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the relevant
Clearing Agency Participants, and (B) with respect to Capital
Securities issued in certificated form and Common Securities, PROVIDED
THAT the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient
amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of
the Debentures, the Property Trustee will irrevocably deposit with the
paying agent for the Capital Securities (if other than the Property
Trustee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the
Holders by check mailed to the address of the relevant Holder appearing
on the books and records of the Trust on the redemption date, and
PROVIDED FURTHER, that any such payment shall become due only upon
surrender by the Holder of the related certificated Capital Securities.
If a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, if applicable, then immediately prior to the
close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption
date, as applicable, Distributions will cease to accumulate on the
Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders so called
for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such
Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest on
such Redemption Price, and such Securities shall cease to be
outstanding.
(iv) Payment of accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the
Redemption Date of the Securities will be subject to the rights of
Holders at the close of business on a regular record date in respect of
a Distribution Date occurring on or prior to such Redemption Date.
Neither the Administrative Trustees nor the Trust shall be
required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of (i) any
Securities beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
mailing of a notice of redemption or any notice of selection of Securities for
redemption or (ii) any Securities selected for redemption, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed. If any date fixed for redemption of
Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable
on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay). If payment
of the Re-
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demption Price with respect to any Securities is improperly withheld or refused
and not paid either by the Property Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor
pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities
will continue to accumulate from the original redemption date to the actual date
of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date
fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
(v) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the
Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust to (A) with respect to Capital
Securities issued in book-entry form, the Clearing Agency or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), (B) with
respect to Capital Securities issued in certificated form, to the
Holders thereof, and (C) with respect to the Common Securities, to the
Holders thereof.
(vi) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including,
without limitation, United States federal securities laws and banking
laws), the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from
time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the
open market or by private agreement.
5. VOTING RIGHTS - CAPITAL SECURITIES.
(a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b), 6(b) and 7 and as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will
have no voting rights.
(b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee or executing any
trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of
the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent
to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case,
obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of all outstanding Capital Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that where a consent
under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Debentures
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without
the prior approval of each Holder of the Capital Securities. The Trustees shall
not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders
of the Capital Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The
Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of Capital Securities of any notice of
default with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing
approvals of such Holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the
foregoing actions, the Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced
in such matters to the effect that the Trust will continue to be classified as a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes after taking any
such action into account.
If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and
is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture
Issuer to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on
the due date (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a
Holder of Capital Securities may institute a proceeding directly against the
Debenture Issuer for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of
or interest on a Like Amount of
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Debentures (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in
the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the Common Securities
Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Capital Securities to
the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of Capital
Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the second preceding
sentence, or except as set forth in the first sentence of Section 3.8(e) of the
Declaration, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.
Any approval or direction of Holders of Capital Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Capital Securities convened for
such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote to be mailed
to each Holder of record of Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a
statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such
action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for
adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such
matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consent.
No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities
will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to
distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of
the Securities.
Notwithstanding that Holders of Capital Securities are
entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any
of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such
vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
6. VOTING RIGHTS - COMMON SECURITIES.
(a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c), and 7 or as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common Securities will
have no voting rights.
(b) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by the Holder of the Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities. In no event will the Holders of the Capital Securities have the
right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of the Common
Securities. No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a
successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration.
(c) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any
trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of
the Indenture,
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(iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of acceleration of
the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent to any
amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where
such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding
Common Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that where a consent under the Indenture
would require the consent of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such
consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of
each Holder of the Common Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action
previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Common
Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall
notify each Holder of Common Securities of any notice of default with respect to
the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders
of the Common Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the
Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that the Trust will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes after taking any such action into
account.
If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and
is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture
Issuer to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures on
the due date (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a
Holder of Common Securities may institute a Direct Action directly against the
Debenture Issuer for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of
or premium, if any, or interest on a Like Amount of Debentures on or after the
respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct
Action, the rights of the Common Securities Holder will be subordinated to the
rights of Holders of Capital Securities in respect of any payment from the
Debenture Issuer in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the second
preceding sentence, the Holders of Common Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.
Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of
any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of
any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken,
to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice
will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date
by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote
or of such matter upon which written consent is sought, and (iii) instructions
for the delivery of proxies or consents.
No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities
will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to
distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of
the Securities.
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7. AMENDMENTS TO DECLARATION.
In addition to the requirements set out in Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, the Declaration may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor,
the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees without the consent of the
Holders to (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the
Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other provisions, or make any
other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the
Declaration which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the
Declaration, (ii) modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Declaration
to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified
for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times
that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be
required to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act
or (iii) modify, eliminate or add any provisions of the Declaration to such
extent as shall be necessary to enable the Trust or the Sponsor to conduct an
Exchange Offer in the manner contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in each case, such action shall not adversely affect in
any material respect the interests of any Holder, and any such amendments of the
Declaration shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the Holders.
The Declaration may also be amended by the Trustees and the Sponsor with (i) the
consent of Holders representing a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all
outstanding Securities, and (ii) receipt by the Trustees of an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted
to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's
status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the
Trust's exemption from status as an Investment Company under the Investment
Company Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, without the consent of each Holder of
Trust Securities, the Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or
timing of any Distribution on, or the payment required to be made in respect of,
the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of a
Holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment on or after such date.
8. PRO RATA.
A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean PRO RATA to each Holder
according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by such
Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities
outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the
Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to
make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities
PRO RATA according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities
held by such Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Capital
Securities outstanding and then, only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to
the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro
rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by
such Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common
Securities outstanding.
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9. RANKING.
The Capital Securities rank PARI PASSU with the Common
Securities and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common
Securities, except that, if an Event of Default under the Declaration occurs and
is continuing, no payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon
liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities
shall be made until the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full
the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution and any other
payments to which they are entitled at such time.
10. ACCEPTANCE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE, COMMON SECURITIES
GUARANTEE.
INDENTURE AND DEBENTURES.
Each Holder of Capital Securities and Common Securities, by
the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Common Securities Guarantee, the Indenture and the Debentures, as
applicable, including the subordination provisions therein.
11. NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS.
Neither the issuance of Capital Securities, nor the issuance
of Common Securities is subject to preemptive or other similar rights. The
Holders shall have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any
additional securities.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
These terms constitute a part of the Declaration.
The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the
Capital Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee, as applicable,
and the Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder without
charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.
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<PAGE> 86
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[IF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY,
INSERT: THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN
THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY
THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION
OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE &
CO., 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.]
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL
SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE
DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE
LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH BANCFIRST
OHIO CORP. (THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE
OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY)
ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS
BEEN
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<PAGE> 87
DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL
SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE
TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7)
OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE
IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E)
PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I (THE
"TRUST") AND THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i)
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL,
CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii)
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A
LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING
MEMORANDUM DATED OCTOBER 13, 1999. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT,
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF
THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23,
95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND
HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER
OR HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT
AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN
TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON
ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR
ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
A1-2
<PAGE> 88
PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN
A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE
FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN
BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL
SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000
(100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER
OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED
TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL
SECURITIES.
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
BE BOUND BY THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 1999, BY
AND AMONG THE TRUST, THE SPONSOR AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS
AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.
A1-3
<PAGE> 89
Certificate Number: [ ] Aggregate Liquidation Amount:
--------------
$---------------------
CUSIP Number:[ ]
----------------------
Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities
of
BFOH Capital Trust I
9.875% Capital Securities, Series A
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
BFOH Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created
under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
[ ] (the "Holder") is the registered owner of $ in aggregate
liquidation amount of Capital Securities of the Trust](1) [the aggregate
liquidation amount of Capital Securities of the Trust specified in Schedule A
hereto](2) representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets
of the Trust designated the 9.875% Capital Securities, Series A (liquidation
amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The Capital
Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or
by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed
and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject
to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of the Trust, dated
as of October 18, 1999, as the same may be amended from time to time (the
"Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Capital
Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used
but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration.
The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Capital Securities
Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder
without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of
business.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.
By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees, for United States
federal income tax purposes, to treat the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Capital Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
- --------
(1) Insert in Definitive Capital Securities only.
(2) Insert in Global Capital Securities only.
A1-4
<PAGE> 90
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate
this [_______] day of [_______________ ____].
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
------------------------
Name:
Administrative Trustee
PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the 9.875% Capital Securities, Series A of BFOH Capital
Trust I referred to in the within-mentioned Declaration.
Dated: ,
-------------------- -------
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
not in its individual capacity but solely
as Property Trustee
By:
------------------------
Authorized Signatory
A1-5
<PAGE> 91
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions on each Capital Security will be payable at a
fixed rate per annum of 9.875% (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of
$1000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more
than one semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually
at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the
Debentures. The term "Distributions," as used herein, includes such cash
distributions and any and all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent
that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee
and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.
Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative,
will accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid
or, if no Distributions have been paid, from October 18, 1999 and will be
payable semi-annually in arrears, on April 15 and October 15 of each year,
commencing April 15, 2000, except as otherwise described below. Distributions
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. As long
as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the
Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
by extending the interest payment period at any time and from time to time on
the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual calendar
periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such extension
period (each an "Extension Period"), PROVIDED THAT no Extension Period shall end
on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral,
Distributions (other than Liquidated Damages, if any) will also be deferred.
Notwithstanding such deferral, semi-annual Distributions will continue to
accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but
not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at
the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during any such Extension Period. Prior
to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further
defer payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period; PROVIDED
THAT such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further
extensions within such Extension Period, may not (i) exceed 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such
Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the
Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Payments
of accumulated Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the
books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding the end
of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the
payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new
Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
Subject to receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the
Declaration and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the
A1-6
<PAGE> 92
Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or, simultaneously with
any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the Securities to be
redeemed by the Trust.
The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
A1-7
<PAGE> 93
----------------------
ASSIGNMENT
----------------------
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Assignee's social security or tax identification number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
-----------------
Signature:
--------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee:
----------------------------------
- -------------------------
Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit
union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements
include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program"
as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
A1-8
<PAGE> 94
[INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IF THE CAPITAL SECURITY BEARS A RESTRICTED SECURITIES
LEGEND]
In connection with any transfer of any of the Capital Securities evidenced by
this Certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Capital Securities are
being:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) [ ] exchanged for the undersigned's own account without transfer; or
(2) [ ] transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
(3) [ ] transferred to an institutional "accredited
investor" within the meaning of subparagraph (a)(1),
(2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act
of 1933 that is acquiring the Capital Securities for
its own account, or for the account of such an
institutional "accredited investor," for investment
purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale
in connection with, any distribution in violation of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
(4) [ ] transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended; or
(5) [ ] transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement.
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of
the Capital Securities evidenced by this Certificate in the name of any Person
other than the Holder hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if box (3) or (4) is
checked, the Registrar may require, prior to registering any such transfer of
the Capital Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Trust has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer
is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as
the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that (i)
if box (2) is checked, by acceptance of this Certificate, the transferee shall
be deemed to have certified that it is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A) ("QIB") acquiring the Capital Securities for its own
account or for the account of another QIB over which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it is aware that the Holder is relying upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Rule 144A in respect of the Holder's
transfer of Capital Securities to it or (ii) if box (3) is checked, the
transferee must also provide to the Registrar a Transferee Letter of
Representation in the form attached to the Offering Memorandum of the Trust
dated October [___], 1999; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that after the date that a
registration statement has been filed and so long as such Registration Statement
continues to be effective, only then may the Registrar permit transfers for
which box (5) has been checked.
------------------------------------
Signature
A1-9
<PAGE> 95
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS COMMON SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST
OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS COMMON SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS COMMON SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
(THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
COMMON SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS COMMON SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE
CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS COMMON SECURITY IS
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS COMMON SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO
ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I (THE "TRUST") AND
THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS
AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO
CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THAT TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE
TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED
OCTOBER [___], 1999. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH
PERSON TO WHOM THIS COMMON SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE
EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
A2-1
<PAGE> 96
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
BFOH Capital Trust I
9.875% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security)
BFOH Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that BancFirst
Ohio Corp. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common securities
of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust designated the 9.875% Common Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per
Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). Subject to the terms of the
Declaration (as defined below), the Common Securities are transferable on the
books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney,
upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for
transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and
other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are
issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended
and Restated Declaration of the Trust dated as of October 18, 1999, as the same
may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation
of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the
Declaration. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meaning given them in the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the
Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (including any
supplemental indenture) to a Holder without charge upon written request to the
Trust at its principal place of business.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.
By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to treat, for United
States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate
this [ ] day of [_____________] 1999.
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
------------------------
Name:
Administrative Trustee
A2-2
<PAGE> 97
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions on each Common Security will be payable at a rate of
9.875% per annum (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of $1000 per
Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures
to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually at the
Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, in certain limited circumstances the Debenture
Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the Debentures. The term
"Distributions", as used herein, includes such cash distributions and any and
all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, payable unless otherwise
stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in
respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the
Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.
Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from October 18, 1999 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears, on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing
April 15, 2000, except as otherwise described below. Distributions will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. As long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the
Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
by extending the interest payment period at any time and from time to time on
the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive calendar semi-annual
periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such extension
period (each an "Extension Period"), PROVIDED THAT no Extension Period shall end
on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral,
Distributions will also be deferred. Notwithstanding such deferral, semi-annual
Distributions will continue to accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent
permitted by applicable law, but not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest
then accruing on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually
during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any Extension
Period, the Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further
extending such Extension Period; PROVIDED THAT such Extension Period, together
with all such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may
not (i) exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first
semi-annual period during such Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than
an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity
Date of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to
Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date
immediately preceding the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of
any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture
Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
Subject to the receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the
Declaration and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or,
simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.
The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
Under certain circumstances, the rights of the holders of the Common
Securities shall be subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities, as provided in the Declaration.
A2-3
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.4
FORM OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[IF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY,
INSERT: THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN
THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY
THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION
OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE &
CO., 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.]
THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO
AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23,
95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND
HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER
OR HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT
AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
<PAGE> 2
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF
ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH
PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR
ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN
BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL
SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000
(100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER
OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED
TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL
SECURITIES.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
Certificate Number: [________________________] Aggregate Liquidation Amount:
$
CUSIP Number:[_____________]
Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities
of
BFOH Capital Trust I
9.875% Capital Securities, Series B
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
BFOH Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that [ ] (the
"Holder") is the registered owner of $ in aggregate liquidation amount of
Capital Securities of the Trust](1) [the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital
Securities of the Trust specified in Schedule A hereto](2) representing
undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust designated
the 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital
Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The Capital Securities are transferable on
the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney,
upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for
transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and
other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities represented hereby are
issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and
Restated Declaration of the Trust, dated as of October 18, 1999, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of
the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them
in the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental
indenture) to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its
principal place of business.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.
By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees, for United States
federal income tax purposes, to treat the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Capital Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
- --------------------
(1) Insert in Definitive Capital Securities only.
(2) Insert in Global Capital Securities only.
-3-
<PAGE> 4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this
[_______] day of [____________________].
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
By:
Name:
Administrative Trustee
PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B of BFOH Capital
Trust I referred to in the within-mentioned Declaration.
Dated:________________, _____
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
not in its individual capacity but solely
as Property Trustee
By:
Authorized Signatory
-4-
<PAGE> 5
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions on each Capital Security will be payable at a
fixed rate per annum of 9.875% (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of
$1000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more
than one semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually
at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term
"Distributions," as used herein, includes such cash distributions and any and
all such interest, if any, payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is
payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures
held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds
legally available therefor.
Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative,
will accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid
or, if no Distributions have been paid, from October 18, 1999 and will be
payable semi-annually in arrears, on April 15 and October 15 of each year,
commencing April 15, 2000, except as otherwise described below. Distributions
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. As long
as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the
Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
by extending the interest payment period at any time and from time to time on
the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual calendar
periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such extension
period (each an "Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period shall end
on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or extend
beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral,
Distributions (other than Liquidated Damages, if any) will also be deferred.
Notwithstanding such deferral, semi-annual Distributions will continue to
accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but
not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at
the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during any such Extension Period. Prior
to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further
defer payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period; provided
that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further
extensions within such Extension Period, may not (i) exceed 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such
Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the
Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Payments
of accumulated Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the
books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding the end
of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the
payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new
Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
Subject to receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the
Declaration and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or,
simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.
The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
<PAGE> 6
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:
(Assignee's social security or tax identification number)
(Address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
agent
to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust.
The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
---------------
Signature:
---------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee:
------------------------
- -----------------------
Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit
union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements
include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program"
as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.5
===================================================
SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
Dated as of October 18, 1999
===================================================
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Page
----
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation ...........................2
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application .........................5
SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities ...........................5
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee ......6
SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports .........................................6
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent .........6
SECTION 2.6 Waiver of Events of Default ..............................6
SECTION 2.7 Notice of Events of Default ..............................6
SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests ....................................7
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee ........................................7
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee ..................................................9
SECTION 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee ..........................10
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1 Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility .......11
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee ............................11
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 Guarantee ...............................................12
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand .............................12
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected ................................12
SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders .......................................13
(i)
<PAGE> 3
Page
----
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment ....................................14
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation .............................................14
SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations .................................14
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions ..............................14
SECTION 6.2 Ranking .................................................15
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 Termination .............................................15
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 8.1 Exculpation .............................................16
SECTION 8.2 Compensation and Indemnification ........................16
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns ..................................17
SECTION 9.2 Amendments ..............................................17
SECTION 9.3 Notices .................................................17
SECTION 9.4 Exchange Offer ..........................................18
SECTION 9.5 Benefit .................................................18
SECTION 9.6 Governing Law ...........................................19
(ii)
<PAGE> 4
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
SECTION OF TRUST
INDENTURE ACT OF SECTION OF GUARANTEE
1939, AS AMENDED AGREEMENT
- ---------------- ---------------------
310(a) ............................................ 4.1(a)
310(b) ............................................ 4.1(c), 2.8
310(c) ............................................ N/A
311(a) ............................................ 2.2(b)
311(b) ............................................ 2.2(b)
311(c) ............................................ N/A
312(a) ............................................ 2.2(a)
312(b) ............................................ 2.2(b)
313 ............................................ 2.3
314(a) ............................................ 2.4
314(b) ............................................ N/A
314(c) ............................................ 2.5
314(d) ............................................ N/A
314(e) ............................................ 1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f) ............................................ 2.1, 3.2
315(a) ............................................ 3.1(d)
315(b) ............................................ 2.7
315(c) ............................................ 3.1(c)
315(d) ............................................ 3.1(d)
316(a) ............................................ 1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b) ............................................ 5.3
316(c) ............................................ 9.2
317(a) ............................................ N/A
317(b) ............................................ N/A
318(a) ............................................ 2.1(a)
318(b) ............................................ 2.1(b)
318(c) ............................................ 2.1(b)
- ---------------------------
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
(iii)
<PAGE> 5
SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee"), dated as of October 18, 1999, is executed and
delivered by BANCFIRST OHIO CORP., an Ohio corporation (the "Guarantor"), and
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee (the
"Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" or "Trustee"), for the benefit of the
Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Series A Capital Securities
(as defined herein) of BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I, a Delaware statutory business trust
(the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of October 18, 1999, by and among the trustees of the
Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the Holders from time to
time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer
(i) is issuing on the date hereof 20,000 capital securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $20,000,000, such capital securities being designated the
9.875% Capital Securities, Series A (collectively the "Series A Capital
Securities") and (ii) in connection with an Exchange Offer (as defined in the
Declaration), will execute and deliver the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
(as defined in the Declaration) for the benefit of Holders of the Series B
Capital Securities (as defined in the Declaration).
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Series A Capital
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, to pay the
Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) to the Holders of the Series A Capital
Securities, and the Guarantor agrees to make certain other payments on the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering the Common
Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999 (the "Common
Securities Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities
(as defined herein), the terms of which provide that if an Event of Default (as
defined in the Declaration) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth
in the Common Securities Guarantee, to the rights of Holders of Series A Capital
Securities and the Series B Capital Securities to receive Guarantee Payments
under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of the
Series A Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges
shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee for the benefit of such Holders.
<PAGE> 6
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
In this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to
them in this Section 1.1;
(b) terms defined in the Declaration as in effect at the date of execution
of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee,
(c) a term defined anywhere in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
has the same meaning throughout;
(d) all references to "the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee" or "this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee" are references to this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(e) all references in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee to
Articles and Sections are references to Articles and Sections of this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;
(f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise
requires; and
(g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"AFFILIATE" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a
day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or Wilmington, Delaware
are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.
"CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE" shall mean Wilmington Trust Company,
as Trustee under the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, until a Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment pursuant to the terms of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
and thereafter means each such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
"COMMON SECURITIES" shall mean the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
-2-
<PAGE> 7
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" shall mean the office of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located
at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware
19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
"COVERED PERSON" shall mean any Holder or beneficial owner of Series A
Capital Securities.
"DEBENTURES" shall mean the series of subordinated debt securities of
the Guarantor designated the 9.875% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due October 15, 2029, Series A, held by the Property Trustee (as
defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall mean a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except with respect to default in respect of any
Guarantee Payment, no default by the Guarantor hereunder shall constitute an
Event of Default unless the Guarantor shall have received written notice of the
default and shall not have cured such default within 60 days after receipt
thereof.
"GUARANTEE PAYMENTS" shall mean the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Series A Capital Securities, to the
extent not paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and
unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be
paid on such Series A Capital Securities, to the extent the Issuer has funds
legally available therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including
all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent the Issuer has funds legally available
therefor at such time, with respect to any Series A Capital Securities called
for redemption, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding
up or liquidation of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution
of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Series A Capital Securities or in
connection with the redemption of the Series A Capital Securities, in each case
as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Series A
Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer has funds
legally available therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the
Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by applicable law (in either
case, the "Liquidation Distribution"). If an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, no Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee with
respect to the Common Securities or any guarantee payment under the Common
Securities Guarantee or any Other Common Securities Guarantee shall be made
until the Holders of the Series A Capital Securities shall be paid in full the
Guarantee Payments to which they are entitled under this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee.
"HOLDER" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Series A Capital Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Series A Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Person actually known to a Responsible
Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to be an Affiliate of the
Guarantor.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" shall mean the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
(including in its individual capacity), any Affiliate of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee.
-3-
<PAGE> 8
"INDENTURE" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of October 18, 1999, between
BancFirst Ohio Corp., as issuer of Debentures (the "Debenture Issuer"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant to which the Debentures are to be
issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer.
"MAJORITY IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF THE SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES" shall
mean, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of the
Series A Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of
the aggregate liquidation amount (including the amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding
Series A Capital Securities, excluding Series A Capital Securities held by the
Guarantor, the Issuer or any Affiliate thereof.
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" shall mean, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
an Executive or Senior Vice President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenants or conditions and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(c) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"OTHER COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEES" shall have the same meaning as "Other
Guarantees" in the Common Securities Guarantee.
"OTHER DEBENTURES" shall mean all junior subordinated debentures, other
than the Debentures and the Series B Debentures (as defined in the Indenture),
issued by the Guarantor, from time to time and sold to trusts other than the
Issuer to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to the
Issuer.
"OTHER GUARANTEES" shall mean all guarantees, other than this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, to
be issued by the Guarantor with respect to capital securities (if any) similar
to the Series A Capital Securities, issued by trusts other than the Issuer to be
established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to the Issuer.
"PERSON" shall mean a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" shall mean the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, by and among the Guarantor, the Issuer
and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.
-4-
<PAGE> 9
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" shall mean, with respect to a Person, any officer
with direct responsibility for the administration of any matters relating to
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.
"SUCCESSOR CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE" shall mean a successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
"TRUST SECURITIES" shall mean the Common Securities and the Series A
Capital Securities and Series B Capital Securities, collectively.
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION
(a) This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee is subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be
governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control. If any provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so
modified or excluded, the modified or excluded provision of the Trust Indenture
Act shall be deemed to apply to this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee as so
modified or excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 2.2 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
(a) The Guarantor shall provide the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
(unless the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is otherwise the registrar of
the Series A Capital Securities) with a list, in such form as the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses
of the Holders of the Series A Capital Securities ("List of Holders") as of such
date, (i) within fourteen (14) days after each record date for payment of
Distributions (as defined in the Declaration), and (ii) at any other time within
30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders
as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Guarantor
shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of
Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it upon
receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
obligations under Sections 31l(a), 31l(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
-5-
<PAGE> 10
SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Within 60 days after the date hereof, and no later than the anniversary
date hereof in each succeeding year, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
shall provide to the Holders of the Series A Capital Securities such reports as
are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and
in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section
313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS
The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such documents, reports and information as are required by Section 314 (if any)
and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the
Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is for informational purposes only and the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute
constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from
information contained therein, including the Guarantor's compliance with any of
its covenants hereunder (as to which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such evidence of compliance with the conditions precedent, if any, provided for
in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters
set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or
opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be
given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 WAIVER OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Series A Capital
Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.
SECTION 2.7 NOTICE OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT
(a) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 10 Business
Days after the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to all Holders of the Series A Capital Securities, notices of all such
Events of Default, unless such Events of Default have been cured before the
giving of such notice; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except in the case of an Event
of Default arising from the non-payment of any Guarantee Payment, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if
and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
in good
-6-
<PAGE> 11
faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Series A Capital Securities.
(b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the
Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge, of such Event of Default.
SECTION 2.8 CONFLICTING INTERESTS
The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE
TRUSTEE
(a) This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the
Series A Capital Securities, and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
not transfer this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee to any Person except a
Holder of the Series A Capital Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant
to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee on
acceptance by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The right,
title and interest of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, and
such vesting and succession of title shall be effective whether or not
conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the
appointment of such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Series A Capital Securities.
(c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of
any Event of Default (of which, other than a default in respect of any Guarantee
Payment, a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and
after the curing of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee against the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred
(that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually
known to a Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and
powers vested in it by this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as
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<PAGE> 12
a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
construed to relieve the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee from liability for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default (of which, other
than a default in respect of any Guarantee Payment, a Responsible Officer
of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing or
waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee, and the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee against the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished
to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not on
their face they conform to the requirements of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee;
(ii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
any errors of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or such Responsible Officer was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was
made;
(iii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it in good
faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital Securities relating to the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee; and
(iv) no provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall
require the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of
any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably
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<PAGE> 13
assured to it under the terms of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 3.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely,
and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence
of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and
to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;
(ii) any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee may be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate;
(iii) whenever, in the administration of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem
it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed)
may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely
upon an Officers' Certificate, which, upon receipt of such request, shall
be promptly delivered by the Guarantor;
(iv) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to
see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument or other
document (or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof);
(v) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel
of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to
legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion; and such counsel may
be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of
its employees; and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have the
right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee from any court of competent
jurisdiction;
(vi) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any
Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and
liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or
direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing
contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee;
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<PAGE> 14
(vii) \the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no
obligation to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in
any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;
(viii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly
or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any such person appointed with due care by it
hereunder;
(ix) any action taken by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or
its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Series A Capital
Securities, and the signature of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such
action; and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority
of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its
compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable
to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or
taking any other action hereunder, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
(i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Series A Capital Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing
such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions
are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or
acting in accordance with such instructions; and
(xi) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith,
without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or
within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee.
(b) No provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or
obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be
illegal, or in which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be
unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any
such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No
permissive power or authority available to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
SECTION 3.3 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SERIES A
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE
The recitals contained in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall
be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee does not assume any
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<PAGE> 15
responsibility for their correctness. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1 CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY
(a) There shall at all times be a Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
that shall
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a corporation or other Person 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 by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an indenture
trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of
at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to
supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of
Columbia authority; it being understood that if such corporation or other
Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or
to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to
above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii) and to the extent
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of
such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall cease
to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in
Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in
all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
SECTION 4.2 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except
during an Event of Default.
(b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor.
(c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until a
Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or
until its removal or resignation. The
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<PAGE> 16
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for
prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which
resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in
writing executed by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if
any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee.
(e) No Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts
or omissions to act of any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
(f) Upon termination of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or
removal or resignation of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee pursuant to
this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee all amounts due to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee accrued to
the date of such termination, removal or resignation.
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 GUARANTEE
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the
Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to
make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such
amounts to the Holders.
SECTION 5.2 WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.
SECTION 5.3 OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
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<PAGE> 17
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Series A Capital Securities to be
performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Series A Capital Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out
of, or in connection with, the Series A Capital Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Series A Capital
Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Series A Capital
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; (g)ab the consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to
Section 7.1 hereof); or
(h) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor;
it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor
with respect to the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute and unconditional under
any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
SECTION 5.4 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS
(a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Series A
Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.
(b) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, any Holder of the Series A Capital
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to
enforce the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the Issuer, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person
or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action
be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before
proceeding directly against the Guarantor.
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<PAGE> 18
SECTION 5.5 GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT
This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment
and not of collection.
SECTION 5.6 SUBROGATION
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of
Series A Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to
such Holders by the Guarantor under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required
by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right
that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or
other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due
and unpaid under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall
be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor
agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount
to the Holders.
SECTION 5.7 INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent
of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Series A Capital
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE IV
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS
So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, the Guarantor shall
not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor's
capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor
(including Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of
payment to the Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to
any guarantee by the Guarantor of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the
Guarantor (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with
or junior in right of payment to the Debentures (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or
purchase shares of, common stock of the Guarantor, (b) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders' rights plan,
or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, (d)
as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the
exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital
stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the
purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions
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<PAGE> 19
of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and (f)
purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights
under any of the Guarantor's benefit or compensation plans for its directors,
officers or employees or any of the Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans) if
at such time (l) there shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has
actual knowledge that (A) is a Default or Event of Default (each as defined in
the Indenture) and (B) in respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken
reasonable steps to cure, (2) if the Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee, the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its payment of any
obligations under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or (3) the
Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right
to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period as provided in the Indenture and
shall not have rescinded such notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period,
or an extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing.
SECTION 6.2 RANKING
This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same extent
and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee as if such Article XV were set
forth herein in full, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or
preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee, any Other Guarantee and, except to the extent set
forth therein, the Common Securities Guarantee, any Other Common Securities
Guarantee, and any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in
respect of any preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor,
and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 TERMINATION
This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate and be of no
further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all
Series A Capital Securities, (ii) the exchange of all Series A Capital
Securities for Series B Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (iii)
dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Issuer, immediately following the
full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration, or (iv)
the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders of the Trust
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any Holder of the Series A Capital Securities must restore
payment of any sums paid under the Series A Capital Securities or under this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.
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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 8.1 EXCULPATION
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage
or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
Person by this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an
Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred
by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Series A Capital Securities might properly be
paid.
SECTION 8.2 COMPENSATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
The Guarantor agrees to pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such compensation for its services as shall be mutually agreed upon by the
Guarantor and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The Guarantor shall
reimburse the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee upon request for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it, including the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents
and counsel, except any expense as may be attributable to the negligence or bad
faith of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold
each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage,
action, suit, claim or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its
part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of
the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or
investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The provisions of this
Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee.
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Series A Capital Securities then outstanding.
SECTION 9.2 AMENDMENTS
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of Holders of the Series A Capital Securities (in which case no
consent of such Holders will be required), this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital Securities. The
provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to meetings of
Holders of the Trust Securities apply to the giving of such approval. This
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee may not be amended, and no amendment
hereof that affects the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights, duties or
immunities hereunder or otherwise, shall be effective, unless such amendment is
executed by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (which shall have no
obligation to execute any such amendment, but may do so in its sole discretion).
SECTION 9.3 NOTICES
All notices provided for in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:
(a) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at the
Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Issuer
may give notice of to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Holders
of the Series A Capital Securities):
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
c/o BancFirst Ohio Corp.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Attention: Kim M. Taylor
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
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<PAGE> 22
(b) If given to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other
address as the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders of the Series A Capital Securities):
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telephone: (302) 651-1000
Telecopier: (302) 651-8882
(c) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Holders of the Series A Capital
Securities):
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Attention: Kim M. Taylor
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
(d) If given to any Holder of the Series A Capital Securities, at the
address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 9.4 EXCHANGE OFFER
In the event an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) becomes effective and the Issuer exchanges any
Series B Capital Securities for Series A Capital Securities in the Exchange
Offer, the Guarantor will enter into the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee,
which will be in substantially the same form as this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee, with respect to the Series B Capital Securities. Each Holder, by its
acceptance hereof, agrees to be bound by the Registration Rights Agreement.
SECTION 9.5 BENEFIT
This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Series A Capital Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is
not separately transferable from the Series A Capital Securities.
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<PAGE> 23
SECTION 9.6 GOVERNING LAW
THIS SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and
year first above written.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.,
as Guarantor
By:
--------------------------------------
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief Executive Officer
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.6
================================================================================
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER [___], 1999
BY AND AMONG
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.,
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
================================================================================
AND
SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.,
AS INITIAL PURCHASER
<PAGE> 2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of September [___], 1999 by and among BANCFIRST OHIO CORP., An
Ohio corporation (the "COMPANY"), BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I, a business trust formed
under the laws of the state of Delaware (the "TRUST"), and SANDLER O'NEILL &
PARTNERS, L.P. (the "INITIAL PURCHASER").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated
September [___], 1999 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company, as
issuer of the ___% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due
December 31, 2029, Series A (the "SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES"), the Trust and the
Initial Purchaser, which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Trust
to the Initial Purchaser of 25,000 of the Trust's ___% Capital Securities,
Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security (the "CAPITAL
SECURITIES"), the proceeds of which will be used by the Trust, together with the
proceeds from the sale of the Trust's Common Securities to the Company, to
purchase the Subordinated Debentures. The Capital Securities, together with the
Subordinated Debentures and the Company's guarantee agreement in respect of the
Capital Securities (the "CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE"), are collectively
referred to as the "SECURITIES." In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to
enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Trust have 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 DISTRIBUTIONS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(e) hereof.
"ADVICE" shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of
Section 3 hereof.
"AFFILIATE" shall have the same meaning as given to that term in Rule
405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"APPLICABLE PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(u)
hereof.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a
day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or Wilmington, Delaware
are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.
"CLOSING TIME" shall mean the Closing Time as defined in the Purchase
Agreement.
"COMPANY" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement and also includes the Company's successors and permitted assigns.
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"DEBENTURES" shall collectively mean the Subordinated Debentures and
the Exchange Debentures.
"DECLARATION" or "DECLARATION OF TRUST" shall mean the Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust of BFOH Capital Trust I, dated as of the Closing
Time, by the trustees named therein and the Company as sponsor.
"DEPOSITARY" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other
depositary appointed by the Trust; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such depositary must
have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York.
"EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
"EXCHANGE OFFER" shall mean the offer by the Company and the Trust to
the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities (other than Private
Exchange Securities) for a like amount of Exchange Securities pursuant to
Section 2(a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION" shall mean a registration under the
Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on SEC 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 documents incorporated by reference therein.
"EXCHANGE PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"EXCHANGE SECURITIES" shall mean (i) with respect to the Subordinated
Debentures, the ___% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due
December 31, 2029, Series B (the "EXCHANGE DEBENTURES") containing terms
substantially identical to the Subordinated Debentures (except that they will
not contain terms with respect to the transfer restrictions under the Securities
Act (other than requiring minimum transfers thereof to be in blocks of $100,000
aggregate principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) and will
not provide for any Liquidated Damages thereon), (ii) with respect to the
Capital Securities, the Trust's ___% Capital Securities, Series B, liquidation
amount $1,000 per Capital Security (the "EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES")
containing terms substantially identical to the Capital Securities (except they
will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions under the
Securities Act (other than requiring minimum transfers thereof to be in blocks
of $100,000 aggregate liquidation amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof) and will not provide for any increase in Additional Distributions
thereon) and (iii) with respect to the Capital Securities Guarantee, the
Company's guarantee agreement in respect of the Exchange Capital Securities (the
"EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE") containing terms substantially
identical to the Capital Securities Guarantee.
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<PAGE> 4
"HOLDER" shall mean the Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any
Registrable Securities, and each of its successors, assigns and direct and
indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities
under the Indenture or Declaration of Trust.
"INDENTURE" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Subordinated
Debentures and the Exchange Debentures, dated as of the Closing Time, between
the Company, as issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, as the same
may be 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(o) hereof.
"ISSUE DATE" shall mean September [___], 1999, the date of original
issuance of the Securities.
"LIQUIDATED DAMAGES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e)
hereof.
"MAJORITY HOLDERS" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate liquidation amount of outstanding Capital Securities.
"PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(u) 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 SECURITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(a) hereof.
"PROSPECTUS" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all
other amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and in each case including all documents 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(o) hereof.
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"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" shall mean the Securities and, if issued, the
Private Exchange Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Securities or Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when (i) a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities or
Private Exchange Securities for the exchange or resale thereof, as the case may
be, shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such
Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have been
disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Securities or
Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have been sold to the
public pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not
Rule 144A) under the Securities Act or are eligible to be sold without
restriction as contemplated by Rule 144(k), (iii) such Securities or Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have ceased to be outstanding or
(iv) with respect to the Securities, such Securities shall have been exchanged
for Exchange Securities upon consummation of the Exchange Offer and are
thereafter freely tradeable by the holder thereof (other than an Affiliate of
the Company).
"REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the
fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel)
that is required to be retained by any Holder of Registrable Securities in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue
sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all
underwriters or Holders as a group in connection with blue sky qualification of
any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities) and compliance with
the rules of the NASD, (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or
assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any
Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto, and in preparing or assisting in preparing, printing and distributing
any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents
relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all
rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company
and of the independent certified public accountants of the Company, including
the expenses of any "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to the
performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (vi) the reasonable fees and
expenses of the Trustees and their counsel and any exchange agent or custodian,
and (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by
the Company in connection with any Registration Statement.
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company and the Trust which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and
supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective
amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
exhibits thereto and all documents 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.
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<PAGE> 6
"SECURITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement.
"SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.
"SHELF REGISTRATION" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof.
"SHELF REGISTRATION EVENT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(b) hereof.
"SHELF REGISTRATION EVENT DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(b) hereof.
"SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company and the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section
2(b) hereof which covers all of the Registrable Securities or all of the Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, on an appropriate form under Rule 415
under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC,
and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference
therein.
"TIA" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time
to time.
"TRUSTEES" shall mean any and all trustees under the Declaration, the
Indenture, the Capital Securities Guarantee or the Exchange Capital Securities
Guarantee.
2. REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
(1) EXCHANGE OFFER. Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the
Company and the Trust shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at the Company's
cost, use best efforts to (i) cause to be filed with the SEC within 150 days
after the Issue Date an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate
form under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Offer, (ii) cause such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the
Securities Act by the SEC not later than the date which is 180 days after the
Issue Date, and (iii) keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective
for not less than 30 calendar days (or longer if required by applicable law)
after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. Promptly
after the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the
Company and the Trust shall commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective
of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange
Registrable Securities for a like principal amount of Exchange Debentures or a
like liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities, together with the
Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, as applicable (provided that such Holder
(w) is not an Affiliate of the Trust or the Company, (x) is not a broker-dealer
tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Trust or the
Company, (y) acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such
Holder's business and (z) has no arrangements or understandings with any Person
to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the
Exchange Securities), to transfer such Exchange Securities from and after their
receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the
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<PAGE> 7
Securities Act and under state securities or blue sky laws (other than requiring
minimum transfers in blocks having an aggregate principal or liquidation amount,
as the case may be, of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof).
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust shall:
(1) 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;
(2) 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");
(3) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer with
respect to Capital Securities represented by a global certificate;
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to
the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day of the Exchange
Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice to Holders, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such
Holder, the amount of Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that
such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged;
(5) notify each Holder that any Security not tendered by such Holder in
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest or
accumulate distributions, as the case may be, but will not retain any rights
under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchaser and
Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and
(6) 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 Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment in the
initial placement, as soon as practicable upon receipt by the Company and the
Trust of a written request from the Initial Purchaser, the Company and the
Trust, as applicable, shall issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser in
exchange (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE") for the Securities held by the Initial
Purchaser a like liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities of the Trust
or, in the event the Trust is liquidated and Subordinated Debentures are
distributed, a like principal amount of the Exchange Debentures of the Company,
together with the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, in each case that are
identical (except that such securities may bear a customary legend with respect
to restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Securities Act) to the Exchange
Securities (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES") and which are issued pursuant to
the Indenture or the Declaration (which provides that the Exchange Securities
will not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture or
the Declaration, as applicable (other than requiring minimum transfers in blocks
having an aggregate principal or liquidation amount, as the case may be, of
$100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), and that the Exchange
Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Securities will vote and
consent together on all matters as one
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<PAGE> 8
class and that none of the Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities
or the Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on
any matter). The Private Exchange Securities shall be of the same series as the
Exchange Securities, and the Company and the Trust will seek to cause the CUSIP
Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP numbers for the Private Exchange
Securities as for the Exchange Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and, if
applicable, the Private Exchange, the Company and the Trust, as the case
requires, shall:
(i) accept for exchange all Securities or portions thereof tendered and
not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange;
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the applicable Trustee for
cancellation all Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the
Company and the Trust; and
(iii) issue, and cause the applicable Trustee under the Indenture or
the Declaration, as applicable, to promptly authenticate and deliver to each
Holder, new Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as applicable,
equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures
or equal in liquidation amount to the liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities as are surrendered by such Holder, and will execute, and cause the
applicable Trustee to execute, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee.
Distributions on each Exchange Capital Security and interest or
distributions on each Exchange Debenture and Private Exchange Security issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accumulate or
accrue from the last date on which a distribution or interest was paid on the
Capital Security or the Subordinated Debenture surrendered in exchange therefor
or, if no distribution or interest has been paid on such Capital Security or
Subordinated Debenture, from the Issue Date. To the extent not prohibited by any
law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company and the
Trust shall use their best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided
above, and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act and other applicable laws in connection with the Exchange
Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions other than the
conditions referred to in Section 2(b)(i) and (ii) below and those conditions
that are customary in similar exchange offers. Each Holder of Registrable
Securities who wishes to exchange such Registrable Securities for Exchange
Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to make certain customary
representations in connection therewith, including, in the case of any Holder of
Capital Securities, representations that (i) it is not an Affiliate of the Trust
or the Company, (ii) it is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities
acquired directly from the Trust or Company, (iii) the Exchange Securities to be
received by it were acquired in the ordinary course of its business and (iv) at
the time of the Exchange Offer, it has no arrangements or understandings with
any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of the Exchange Capital Securities. The Company and the Trust
shall inform the Initial Purchaser, after consultation with the applicable
Trustees, 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
in order to facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange
Offer.
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<PAGE> 9
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section
2(a), the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, MUTATIS
MUTANDIS, solely with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private
Exchange Securities and Exchange Securities held by Participating
Broker-Dealers, and the Company and the Trust shall have no further obligation
to register the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities)
held by any Holder pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
(2) SHELF REGISTRATION. In the event that (i) the Company or the Trust
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 under applicable law and regulations and currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, (ii) the Company shall determine in
good faith that there is a reasonable likelihood that, or a material uncertainty
exists as to whether, consummation of the Exchange Offer would result in (x) the
Trust becoming subject to federal income tax with respect to income received or
accrued on the Debentures, (y) the interest payable by the Company on the
Debentures not being deductible by the Company for United States federal income
tax purposes or (z) the Trust becoming subject to more than a DE MINIMIS amount
of other taxes, duties or governmental charges, (iii) the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not declared effective within 180 days of the Issue
Date or (iv) upon the request of the Initial Purchaser with respect to any
Registrable Securities held by it, if the Initial Purchaser is not permitted, in
the reasonable opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, 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), (ii), (iii) or (iv) being a "SHELF
REGISTRATION EVENT," and the date of occurrence thereof, the "SHELF REGISTRATION
EVENT DATE"), then in addition to or in lieu of conducting the Exchange Offer
contemplated by Section 2(a), as the case may be, the Company and the Trust
shall, at their cost, use their best efforts to cause to be filed as promptly as
practicable after such Shelf Registration Event Date, as the case may be, and,
in any event, within 45 days after such Shelf Registration Event Date (provided
that in no event shall such filing date be required to be earlier than 75 days
after the Issue Date), a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale by
the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities, and shall use their best
efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC
as soon as practicable. No Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to
include any of its Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration pursuant to
this Agreement unless and until such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all
of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder and furnishes to
the Company and the Trust in writing, within 15 days after receipt of a request
therefor, such information as the Company and the Trust may, after conferring
with counsel with regard to information relating to Holders that would be
required by the SEC to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus included therein, reasonably request for inclusion in any Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which
any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish to the Company and
the Trust all information with respect to such Holder necessary to make the
information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially
misleading.
The Company and the Trust agree to use their best efforts to keep the
Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and usable for resales for
(a) the Rule 144(k) Period in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) or (b) 180
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days in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section
2(b)(iv) (subject in each case to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of
Section 3 hereof), or for such shorter period which will terminate when all of
the Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or cease to be Registrable
Securities (the "EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"). The Company and the Trust shall not
permit any securities other than Registrable Securities to be included in the
Shelf Registration. The Company and the Trust will, in the event a Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective, provide to each Holder a
reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus which is a part of the Shelf
Registration Statement, notify each such Holder when the Shelf Registration has
become effective and take certain other actions as are required to permit
certain unrestricted resales of the Registrable Securities. The Company and the
Trust further agree, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration
Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement
or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for
shelf registrations, and the Company and the Trust agree to furnish to the
Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment
promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
(3) EXPENSES. The Company, as issuer of the Subordinated Debentures,
shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) and/or 2(b) hereof and will reimburse
the Initial Purchaser for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Thacher
Proffitt & Wood, counsel for the Initial Purchaser, incurred in connection with
the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the Private Exchange, and either Thacher
Proffitt & Wood or any other single counsel designated in writing by the
Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities
in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, which other counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Except as provided herein, each Holder
shall pay all expenses of its counsel, underwriting discounts and commissions
and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
(4) EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT. An Exchange Offer Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective
unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if,
after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or 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 Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement will be deemed not
to have been effective during the period of such interference, until the
offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may
legally resume. The Company and the Trust will be deemed not to have used their
best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective
during the requisite period if either of them voluntarily takes any action that
would result in any such Registration Statement not being declared effective or
that would result in the Holders of Registrable Securities covered thereby not
being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that
period, unless such action is required by applicable law.
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(5) LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AND ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTIONS. In the event that:
(1) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is filed with the
SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the Issue Date nor a Shelf Registration
Statement is filed with the SEC on or prior to the 45th day after the Shelf
Registration Event Date in respect of a Shelf Registration Event attributable to
any of the events set forth in Sections 2(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) (provided that
in no event shall such filing date be required to be earlier than 75 days after
the Issue Date), then commencing on the day after the applicable required filing
date, liquidated damages ("LIQUIDATED DAMAGES") shall accrue on the principal
amount of the Subordinated Debentures, and additional distributions ("ADDITIONAL
DISTRIBUTIONS") shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Trust
Securities (as such term is defined in the Declaration), each at a rate of 25
basis points per annum; or
(2) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day after the Issue Date nor a
Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
later of (A) the 40th day after the date such Shelf Registration Statement was
required to be filed and (B) the 180th day after the Issue Date, in respect of a
Shelf Registration Event attributable to any of the events set forth in Sections
2(b)(i), (ii) and (iii), then, commencing on the day after the applicable
required effectiveness date, Liquidated Damages shall accrue on the principal
amount of the Subordinated Debentures, and Additional Distributions shall
accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Trust Securities, each at a rate of
25 basis points per annum; or
(3) (A) the Trust has not exchanged Exchange Capital Securities for all
Capital Securities or the Company has not exchanged Exchange Debentures for all
Subordinated Debentures, in each case validly tendered during the Exchange
Period, or executed the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee in respect of the
Exchange Capital Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the 45th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement was declared effective or (B) if applicable, the Shelf
Registration Statement in respect of a Shelf Registration Event attributable to
any of the events set forth in Sections 2(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) has been
declared effective and such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective
or usable for resales (whether as a result of an event contemplated by Section
3(e) or otherwise) at any time prior to the expiration of the Rule 144(k) Period
(other than after such time as all Securities have been disposed of thereunder
or otherwise cease to be Registered Securities), then Liquidated Damages shall
accrue on the principal amount of Subordinated Debentures, and Additional
Distributions shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Trust
Securities, each at a rate of 25 basis points per annum commencing on (x) the
46th day after such effective date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day
such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective or usable for resales,
in the case of (B) above;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Liquidated Damages rate on the Subordinated
Debentures, nor the Additional Distribution rate on the liquidation amount of
the Trust Securities, may exceed in the aggregate 25 basis points per annum;
PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause
(i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (ii) above)
or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Capital Securities and Exchange Debentures
for all Capital Securities and Subordinated Debentures
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validly tendered and execution of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee (in
the case of clause (iii)(A) above) or at such time as the Shelf Registration
Statement that had ceased to remain effective or usable for resales again
becomes effective and usable for resales (in the case of clause (iii)(B) above),
Liquidated Damages on the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures and
Additional Distributions on the liquidation amount of the Trust Securities as a
result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof) shall cease to accrue
and accumulate, as the case may be.
Any amounts of Liquidated Damages and Additional Distributions due
pursuant to Section 2(e)(i), (ii) or (iii) above will be payable in cash on the
next succeeding March 31 and September 30, as the case may be, to Holders on the
relevant record dates for the payment of interest and distributions pursuant to
the Indenture and the Declaration, respectively.
(6) SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT. Without limiting the remedies available to
the Holders, the Company and the Trust acknowledge that any failure by the
Company or the Trust to comply with its obligations under Section 2(a) and
Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Holders for
which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically
enforce the Company's and the Trust's obligations under Section 2(a) and Section
2(b) hereof.
(7) DISTRIBUTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Agreement, in the event that Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to holders of Capital Securities in liquidation of the Trust
pursuant to the Declaration, (i) all references in this Section 2 and in Section
3 to Securities, Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities shall not
include the Capital Securities and Capital Securities Guarantee or the Exchange
Capital Securities and Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee issued or to be
issued in exchange therefor in the Exchange Offer and (ii) all requirements for
any action to be taken by the Trust in this Section 2 and in Section 3 shall
cease to apply and all requirements for any action to be taken by the Company in
this Section 2 and in Section 3 shall apply to the Subordinated Debentures and
Exchange Debentures issued or to be issued in exchange therefor in the Exchange
Offer.
3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. In connection with the obligations of the
Company and the Trust with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to
Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Trust shall use their best
efforts to:
(1) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or
Registration Statements as prescribed by Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof within
the relevant time period specified in Section 2 hereof on the appropriate form
under the Securities Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company and
the Trust, (ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the
sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and, in the
case of an Exchange Offer, be available for the exchange of Registrable
Securities 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 their best efforts to cause
such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective (and, in
the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, usable for resales) 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
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Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Securities, before filing any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company and the Trust
shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Securities and each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such
Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a
reasonable opportunity (not to exceed seven Business Days) to review copies of
all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed. The Company
and the Trust shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must be
afforded an opportunity to review prior to the filing of such document if the
Majority Holders or such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their
counsel or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object in a
timely manner;
(2) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented, if so
determined by the Company or the Trust or requested by the SEC, by any required
prospectus supplement and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
(or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act, and comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to it with respect to the
disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the
Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be, in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders
thereof described in this Agreement (including sales by any Participating
Broker-Dealer);
(3) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement, at least
three Business Days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with
respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advising such Holder
that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in accordance with
the method selected by the Majority Holders; and (ii) furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement and to each
underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any,
without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary
Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, and such other documents as
such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the
public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and (iii)
consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by
each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf
Registration Statement in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto;
(4) in the case of a Shelf Registration, register or qualify the
Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions by the time the applicable Registration Statement is
declared effective by the SEC as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by
a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of
Registrable Securities shall reasonably request in writing in advance of such
date of effectiveness, and do any and all other acts and things which may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder and underwriter to
consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such
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<PAGE> 14
Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company
and the Trust shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or
as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent to
service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject
to such service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;
(5) (1) in the case of a Shelf Registration or (2) if Participating
Broker-Dealers from whom the Company or the Trust has received prior written
notice that they will be utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement as provided in Section 3(u) hereof, are seeking to
sell Exchange Securities and are required to deliver Prospectuses, promptly
notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, or such Participating
Broker-Dealers, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters,
if any, and promptly confirm such notice in writing (i) when a Registration
Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments thereto
become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities
authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement or
Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has
become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities
authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or the qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange
Securities to be offered or sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer in any
jurisdiction described in paragraph 3(d) hereof or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if,
between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any
sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and
warranties of the Company and the Trust contained in any purchase agreement,
securities sales agreement or other similar agreement 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 in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the
reasonable determination of the Company and the Trust that a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(6) obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of
a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment;
(7) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities included within the coverage of such Shelf Registration
Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration
Statement relating to such Shelf Registration and any post-effective amendment
thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits
thereto, unless requested);
(8) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends (other than with respect to restrictions
requiring minimum transfers in blocks having an aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof) and in such
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<PAGE> 15
denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture and the
Declaration) and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the
underwriters may reasonably request at least two Business Days prior to the
closing of any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf
Registration Statement;
(9) in the case of a Shelf Registration or an Exchange Offer
Registration, promptly after the occurrence of any event specified in Section
3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or the related
Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other
required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the
Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not include any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; and to notify each Holder to suspend use of the Prospectus
as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and each
Holder hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has
amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;
(10) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to
the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a
Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a
Registration Statement, provide a reasonable number of copies of such document
to the Holders; and make such of the representatives of the Company and the
Trust as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities
or the Initial Purchaser on behalf of such Holders available for discussion of
such document;
(11) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Capital Securities and the
Capital Securities (and, if the Trust has made a distribution of the
Subordinated Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities, the
Subordinated Debentures or the Exchange Debentures), as the case may be, not
later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the
applicable Trustee with certificates for the Exchange Securities or the
Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with
the Depositary;
(12) cause the Indenture, the Declaration, the Capital Securities
Guarantee (in the case of a Shelf Registration) and the Exchange Capital
Securities Guarantee (in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration) to be
qualified under the TIA, in connection with the registration of the Exchange
Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, and effect such
changes to such documents as may be required for them to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and cause the applicable
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;
(13) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such agreements
(including underwriting agreements) as are customary in underwritten offerings
and take all such other appropriate actions in connection therewith as are
reasonably requested by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of the Registrable Securities in order
to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition or the Registrable
Securities;
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<PAGE> 16
(14) in the case of a Shelf Registration, whether or not an
underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an
underwritten registration, if requested by (x) the Initial Purchaser, in the
case where the Initial Purchaser holds Securities acquired by it as part of its
initial placement and (y) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of the Registrable Securities covered
thereby: (i) make such representations and warranties to Holders of such
Registrable Securities and the underwriters (if any), with respect to the
business of the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company as then
conducted and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any,
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as
are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and
confirm the same if and when requested; (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the
Company and the Trust and updates thereof (which may be in the form of a
reliance letter) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriters (if any) and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of the Registrable Securities being
sold, addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters (if any) covering
the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings
and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such underwriters (it
being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion may be subject to
customary qualifications and exceptions); (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters
and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of the
Company and the Trust (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any business acquired by the Company and the Trust for which
financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in
the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters
to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
"cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings and such other
matters as reasonably requested by such underwriters in accordance with
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is
entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures
no less favorable than those set forth in Section 4 hereof (or such other
provisions and procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal or liquidation amount, as the case may be, of Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriters) customary
for such agreements with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to
said Section (including, without limitation, such underwriters and selling
Holders); and in the case of an underwritten registration, the above
requirements shall be satisfied at each closing under the related underwriting
agreement or as and to the extent required thereunder;
(15) if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 2(b) or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by
any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the
Applicable Period, make reasonably available for inspection by any selling
Holder of Registrable Securities or Participating Broker-Dealer, as applicable,
who certifies to the Company and the Trust that it has a current intention to
sell Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration, any underwriter
participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder,
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively,
the "INSPECTORS"), at the offices where normally kept, during the Company's
normal business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries
(collectively, the "RECORDS") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to
exercise any
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<PAGE> 17
applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and
employees of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all relevant
information in each case reasonably requested by any such Inspector in
connection with such Registration Statement; records and information which the
Company and the Trust determine, in good faith, to be confidential and any
Records and information which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall
not be disclosed to any Inspector except where (i) the disclosure of such
Records or information is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement
or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records or
information 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) such Records or information previously has been made
generally available to the public; each selling Holder of such Registrable
Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree
in writing that Records and information obtained by it as a result of such
inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the
basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Trust or the Company
unless and until such is made generally available to the public through no fault
of an Inspector or a selling Holder; and each selling Holder of such Registrable
Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further
agree in writing that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records or
information is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, or in connection
with any action, suit or proceeding, give notice to the Company and allow the
Company at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of
the Records and information deemed confidential;
(16) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC so
long as any provision of this Agreement shall be applicable and make generally
available to its securityholders earning statements satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule
promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any
12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period
is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which
Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best
efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company
after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall
cover said 12-month periods, provided that the obligations under this paragraph
(p) shall be satisfied by the timely filing of quarterly and annual reports on
Forms 10-Q and 10-K under the Exchange Act;
(17) upon consummation of an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, if
requested by a Trustee, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company addressed to
the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities
participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be,
substantially to the effect that (i) each of the Company and the Trust, as the
case requires, has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Exchange
Securities and Private Exchange Securities, and (ii) each of the Exchange
Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, constitutes a
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial ownership
interest in the assets of the Trust (in the case of an Exchange Capital
Security) or a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company, in accordance with its respective terms (in the case of an
Exchange Debenture and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee), as the case
may be (in each case, with customary exceptions);
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(18) if an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Company or the
Trust, as applicable (or to such other Person as directed by the Company or the
Trust, respectively), in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the Company or the Trust, as
applicable, shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Securities
delivered by such Holders that such Registrable Securities are being canceled in
exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the
case may be; it being understood that in no event shall such Registrable
Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied;
(19) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by
any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in
connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD;
(20) take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby;
(21) (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 that holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (a
"PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Securities 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
Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such
Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each Participating Broker-Dealer who has
delivered to the Company the notice referred to in Section 3(e), without charge,
as many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, including any preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement
thereto, as such Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request (each of the
Company and the Trust hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus forming part
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement
thereto by any Person subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, including all Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with
the sale or transfer of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto), (iii) use their best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the
Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such
requirements under the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations in
order to resell the Exchange Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such period
shall not be required to exceed 90 days (or such longer period if extended
pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3 hereof) (the
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<PAGE> 19
"APPLICABLE PERIOD"), and (iv) include in the transmittal letter or similar
documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to participate in
the Exchange Offer (x) the following provision:
"If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding
Registrable Securities acquired for its own account
as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of Exchange Securities
received in respect of such Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer";
and (y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the
acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in
connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will
not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act; and (B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Trust agree to deliver to the Initial Purchaser
or to another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, if requested
by the Initial Purchaser or such other representative of 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(g) of the Purchase
Agreement and such additional certifications as are customarily delivered in a
public offering of debt securities and (iii) as well as upon the effectiveness
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a comfort letter, in each case, in
customary form if permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72.
The Company or the Trust may require each seller of Registrable
Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the
Company or the Trust, as applicable, such information regarding such seller as
may be required by the staff of the SEC to be included in a Registration
Statement. The Company or the Trust may exclude from such registration the
Registrable Securities of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. The Company
shall have no obligation to register under the Securities Act the Registrable
Securities of a seller who so fails to furnish such information.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, or if Participating
Broker-Dealers who have notified the Company and the Trust that they will be
utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
as provided in this Section 3(u) hereof, are seeking to sell Exchange Securities
and are required to deliver Prospectuses, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt
of any notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any event
specified in Section 3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant
to a Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof or until
it is advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the Company and the Trust that the
use of the applicable Prospectus may
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be resumed, and, if so directed by the Company and the Trust, such Holder will
deliver to the Company or the Trust (at the Company's or the Trust's expense, as
the case requires) all copies in such Holder's possession, other than permanent
file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, current at
the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company or the Trust shall give any
such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, pursuant to a Registration Statement, the
Company and the Trust shall use their best efforts to file and have declared
effective (if an amendment) as soon as practicable after the resolution of the
related matters an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and
shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement is required to
be maintained effective and usable for resales pursuant to this Agreement by the
number of days in the period from and including the date of the giving of such
notice to and including the date when the Company and the Trust shall have made
available to the Holders (x) copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
necessary to resume such dispositions or (y) the Advice.
4. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. (a) In connection with any
Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall, jointly and severally,
indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser, each Holder, each underwriter
who participates in an offering of the Registrable Securities, each
Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person, if any, who controls any of such
parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act and each of their respective partners, directors, officers,
employees and agents as follows:
(1) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), covering Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities, as applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading;
(2) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever
based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue
statement or omission in the Registration Statement; provided that (subject to
Section 4(d) hereof) any such settlement is effected with the prior written
consent of the Company and the Trust; and
(3) against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred (including the
fees and disbursements of counsel, 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 governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any
claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not
paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section 4(a);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this indemnity does not apply to any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of an untrue statement or
omission
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or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished in writing to the Company or the Trust by the
Initial Purchaser or such Holder, underwriter or Participating Broker-Dealer for
use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto).
(2) The Initial Purchaser and each Holder, underwriter or Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, its directors and officers (including each officer of the Company
and the Trust who signed the Registration Statement), the Trust, each of the
Trustees 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 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 a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company or the Trust by such Holder,
underwriter or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case maybe, expressly for use
in such Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any such
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in
the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, no such Holder shall be liable for
any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such
Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf
Registration Statement.
(3) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an
indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability
which it may have under this Section 4 to the extent that it is not materially
prejudiced by such failure as a result thereof, and in any event shall not
relieve it from liability which it may have otherwise on account of this
indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 4(a)
or (b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by such
parties. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense
of such action; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall
not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the
indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to local counsel),
separate from their own counsel, for all indemnified parties in connection with
any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No
indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified
parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with
respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in
respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this
Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential
parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an
unconditional written release of each indemnified party from all liability
arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does
not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure
to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(4) If at any time an indemnified party shall have validly requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel
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<PAGE> 22
pursuant to Section 4(a), such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable
for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 4(a)(ii) effected
without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45
days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii)
such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such
settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and
(iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party
in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(5) 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 unenforceable by an indemnified party
although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company, the Trust and the
Holders shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages
and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by
the Company, the Trust and the Holders, as incurred; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person that
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. As between the Company, the
Trust, and the Holders, such parties shall contribute to such aggregate losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such
indemnity agreement in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the Company and Trust, on the one hand, and the Holders, on
the other hand, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in
such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense, or action in respect thereof, as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the
Company and the Trust, on the one hand, and of the Holders, on the other hand,
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the
Trust, on the one hand, or by or on behalf of the Holders, on the other, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Trust and the
Holders of the Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were to be determined by
pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into
account the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 4,
each Affiliate of a Holder, and each partner, director, officer, employee and
Person, if any, who controls a Holder or such Affiliate within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each director of the
Company, each Trustee of the Trust 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 as each of the
Company or the Trust.
5. PARTICIPATION IN AN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION. No Holder may participate
in an underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell
such Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in the underwriting
arrangement approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such
arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.
6. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The Holders of Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell the
Securities covered by such Shelf
21
<PAGE> 23
Registration in an underwritten offering, subject to the provisions of Section
3(m) hereof. 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 or liquidation amount, as
applicable, of the Registrable Securities included in such offering; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such underwriters and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to
the Company and the Trust.
7. MISCELLANEOUS.
(1) 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 Securities remain outstanding, the Company will 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;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company ceases to be so required to file such
reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities (a)
make publicly available such information as is necessary to permit sales of its
securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (b) deliver such
information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales of its
securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (c) take such
further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the
extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the Securities Act,
as such rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or
regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of
Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written
statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
(2) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. Neither the Company nor the Trust has
entered into, nor will the Company or the Trust on or after the date of this
Agreement enter into, any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or which
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with
the rights granted to the holders of the Company's or the Trust's other issued
and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
(3) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement, including
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented,
and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be
given, unless the Company and the Trust have obtained the written consent of
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal or liquidation amount of
the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification,
supplement, waiver or departure; PROVIDED that no amendment, modification or
supplement or waiver or consent to the departure with respect to the provisions
of Section 4 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable
Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder of Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (i) this Agreement may be
amended, without the consent of any Holder of Registrable Securities, by written
agreement signed by the Company, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser, 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
22
<PAGE> 24
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers and consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may be given, by written agreement signed by the Company,
the Trust and the Initial Purchaser 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 the
Initial Purchaser, the Company and the Trust. Each Holder of Registrable
Securities shall be bound by any amendment or waiver effected pursuant to this
Section 7(c), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such
amendment or waiver appears on such security or is delivered to such Holder.
(4) 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 or the Trust by means of a notice given in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 7(d), which address initially is, with respect to the
Initial Purchaser, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if
to the Company or the Trust, initially at the Company's address set forth in the
Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is
given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(d).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(5) 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
Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Declaration
or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable
Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person
shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to
receive the benefits hereof.
(6) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Each Holder and any Participating
Broker-Dealer shall be third party beneficiaries of the agreements made
hereunder among the Initial Purchaser, the Company and the Trust, and the
Initial Purchaser shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to
the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its
rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.
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<PAGE> 25
(7) 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.
(8) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(9) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO
SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF
THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF LACK OF
PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY
SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH
OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY
EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT
IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT
IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
(10) 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.
(11) SECURITIES HELD BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUST OR ITS AFFILIATES.
Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the
Company, the Trust or any Affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether
such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
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<PAGE> 26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
By: BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.,
as Sponsor
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Confirmed and accepted as
of the date first above
written:
SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.
By: SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS CORP.,
the sole general partner
By:
------------------------------------
Catherine A. Lawton
Vice President
25
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.7
=================================
COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
DATED AS OF OCTOBER 18, 1999
=================================
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
PAGE
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation ..............................3
ARTICLE II
GUARANTEE
SECTION 2.1. Guarantee ...................................................4
SECTION 2.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand .................................4
SECTION 2.3. Obligations Not Affected ....................................4
SECTION 2.4. Rights of Holders ...........................................5
SECTION 2.5. Guarantee of Payment ........................................5
SECTION 2.6. Subrogation .................................................5
SECTION 2.7. Independent Obligations .....................................6
ARTICLE III
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 3.1. Limitation of Transactions ..................................6
SECTION 3.2. Ranking .....................................................7
ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION
SECTION 4.1. Termination .................................................7
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1. Successors and Assigns ......................................7
SECTION 5.2. Amendments ..................................................8
SECTION 5.3. Notices .....................................................8
SECTION 5.4. Benefit .....................................................9
SECTION 5.5. Governing Law ...............................................9
<PAGE> 3
COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Common Securities
Guarantee"), dated as of October 18, 1999, is executed and delivered by
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP., an Ohio corporation (the "Guarantor"), for the benefit of
the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Common Securities (as
defined herein) of BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I, a Delaware business trust (the
"Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of October 18, 1999, by and among the Trustees of the
Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to
time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer
is issuing on the date hereof 619 common securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount of Six Hundred Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($619,000), to meet
the capital requirements of the Trust; such common securities being designated
the 9.875% Common Securities (the "Common Securities").
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Common
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Common Securities Guarantee, to pay the Guarantee
Payments (as defined herein) to the Holders of the Common Securities and to make
certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999 (the
"Series A Capital Securities Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the
Series A Capital Securities (as defined in the Declaration) and upon
consummation of the Exchange Offer (as defined in the Declaration) will execute
and deliver the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement (the "Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee") for the benefit of the holders of the Series B
Capital Securities (as defined in the Declaration); it being understood that if
an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration) has occurred and is
continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee
Payments under this Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent
and in the manner set forth herein, to the rights of holders of Capital
Securities (as defined in the Declaration) to receive Guarantee Payments under
the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee, as the case may be.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of the
Common Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall
benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Common
Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.
2
<PAGE> 4
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
In this Common Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Common Securities Guarantee but not
defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in
this Section 1.1;
(b) terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of
this Common Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this Common
Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this Common Securities
Guarantee;
(c) a term defined anywhere in this Common Securities Guarantee has the
same meaning throughout;
(d) all references to "the Common Securities Guarantee" or "this Common
Securities Guarantee" are references to this Common Securities Guarantee as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(e) all references in this Common Securities Guarantee to Articles and
Sections are references to Articles and Sections of this Common Securities
Guarantee unless otherwise specified; and
(f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning as
in the Trust Indenture Act unless otherwise defined in this Common Securities
Guarantee; and
(g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Common Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on
such Common Securities, to the extent the Issuer has funds legally available
therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), to the
extent the Issuer has funds legally available therefor at such time, with
respect to any Common Securities called for redemption, and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer
(other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures (as defined in the
Declaration) to the Holders in exchange for Common Securities or in connection
with the redemption of the Common Securities, in each case as provided in the
Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Common Securities to the date of
payment, to the extent the Issuer has funds legally available therefor at such
time, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for
distribution to the Holders after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of
the Issuer as required by applicable law (in either case, the "Liquidation
Distribution"). If an Event of Default under the Declaration, the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement
3
<PAGE> 5
or the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement has occurred and is
continuing, no Guarantee Payments with respect to the Common Securities shall be
made until holders of Capital Securities shall be paid in full the Guarantee
Payments to which they are entitled under the Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Common Securities.
"Other Guarantees" means all guarantees, other than this Common
Securities Guarantee, to be issued by the Guarantor with respect to common
securities (if any) similar to the Common Securities issued by trusts other than
the Issuer to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to
the Issuer.
ARTICLE II
GUARANTEE
SECTION 2.1 GUARANTEE
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of
set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay
such amounts to the Holders.
SECTION 2.2 WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Common
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.
SECTION 2.3 OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Common Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired
by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Common Securities to be performed or
observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms
4
<PAGE> 6
of the Common Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any
other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Common
Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Common Securities, or any
action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Common
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor;
it being the intent of this Section 2.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor
with respect to the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute and unconditional under
any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
SECTION 2.4 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that any Holder of the Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to
enforce its rights under this Common Securities Guarantee, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer or any other Person.
SECTION 2.5 GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT
This Common Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not
of collection.
SECTION 2.6 SUBROGATION
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders
of the Common Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to
such Holders by the Guarantor under this Common Securities Guarantee; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all
5
<PAGE> 7
cases as a result of payment under this Common Securities Guarantee, if, at the
time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Common
Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation
of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for
the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
SECTION 2.7 INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Common
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Common
Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 2.3 hereof.
ARTICLE III
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 3.1 LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS
So long as any Common Securities remain outstanding, the Guarantor will
not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distribution on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of the Guarantor's
capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor
(including Other Debentures, as defined in the Indenture) that rank pari passu
with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee
payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of the debt securities
of any subsidiary of the Guarantor (including Other Guarantees, as defined in
the Indenture) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of
payment to the Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares
of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of,
common stock of the Guarantor, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection
with the implementation of a shareholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock
under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such
rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a result of a
reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or the
conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another
class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion
or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common
stock or rights under any of the Guarantor's benefit or compensation plans for
its directors, officers or employees or any of the Guarantor's dividend
reinvestment plans) if at such time (1) there shall have occurred any event of
which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that (A) is, or with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default and (B) in
respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure,
(2) if such Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the Guarantor shall be
in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee or the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or (3)
the Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its
right to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period as provided in the
Indenture and shall
6
<PAGE> 8
not have rescinded such notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period, or an
extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing.
SECTION 3.2 RANKING
This Common Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to the Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same
extent and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated to the Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Common Securities Guarantee as if such Article XV were set forth
herein in full, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference
stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any Other Guarantee and,
except as set forth herein or therein, the Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee and any guarantee now or
hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any preferred or
preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor and (iii) senior to the
Guarantor's common stock.
ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION
SECTION 4.1 TERMINATION
This Common Securities Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further
force or effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Common
Securities, (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer,
immediately following the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with
the Declaration, or (iii) the distribution of all of the Debentures to the
Holders of the Trust Securities (as defined in the Declaration). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Common Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or
will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of the Common
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Common Securities or
under this Common Securities Guarantee.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Common Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Common Securities then outstanding.
7
<PAGE> 9
SECTION 5.2 AMENDMENTS
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect in any
material respect the rights of the Holders (in which case no consent of the
Holders will be required), this Common Securities Guarantee may only be amended
with the prior approval of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of
all the outstanding Common Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the
Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Trust Securities apply to
the giving of such approval.
SECTION 4.3 NOTICES
All notices provided for in this Common Securities Guarantee shall be
in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:
(a) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at
the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Issuer may give notice of to the Holders of the Common Securities):
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
c/o BancFirst Ohio Corp.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Attention: Kim M. Taylor
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
(b) if given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Holders of the Common Securities):
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Attention: Kim M. Taylor
Telephone: (740) 452-8444
Telecopier: (740) 455-5705
(c) if given to any Holder of the Common Securities, at the address set
forth on the books and records of the Issuer.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
8
<PAGE> 10
SECTION 5.4 BENEFIT
This Common Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Common Securities and is not separately transferrable from the
Common Securities.
SECTION 5.5 GOVERNING LAW
THIS COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT
REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
This Common Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year
first above written.
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
By:
-------------------------------------
Gary N. Fields
President and Chief Executive Officer
9
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
Capitol Square, Suite 2100
65 East State Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4260
(614) 228-1541
_________, 2000
BancFirst Ohio Corp.
BFOH Capital Trust I
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933,as
amended (the "Act"), of $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Exchange
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the "Debt Securities") of
BancFirst Ohio Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), $20,000,000 aggregate
liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities (the"Exchange Capital
Securities") of BFOH Capital Trust I, a business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Issuer"), and the Exchange Guarantee with respect to
the Exchange Capital Securities (the "Guarantee") to be executed and delivered
by the Company for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Exchange
Capital Securities, we, as your counsel, have examined such corporate records,
certificates and other documents, and such questions of law, as we have
considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
Upon the basis of such examination, we advise you that, when:
(i) the Registration Statement relating to the Debt Securities,
the Exchange Capital Securities and the Exchange Guarantee has
become effective under the Act;
(ii) the Exchange Guarantee Agreement relating to the Exchange
Guarantee with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities of
the Issuer has been duly executed and delivered;
(iii) the Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated
in accordance with the Indenture and issued and delivered as
contemplated in the Registration Statement; and
(iv) the Exchange Capital Securities have been duly executed in
accordance with the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
of the Issuer and issued and delivered as contemplated in the
Registration Statement,
the Debt Securities and the Exchange Guarantee relating to the Exchange
Capital Securities of the Issuer will constitute valid and legally
binding obligations of the Company, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
general equity principles. Board of Directors BancFirst Ohio Corp.
<PAGE> 2
We understand that you have received an opinion regarding the Exchange
Capital Securities from Morris, James, Hitchens & Williams LLP, special Delaware
counsel for the Company and the Issuer. We are expressing no opinion with
respect to the matters contained in such opinion.
Also, we have relied as to certain Company matters on information
obtained from public officials, officers of the Company and other sources
believed by us to be responsible.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to us under the heading "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that
we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Act.
Very truly yours,
Baker & Hostetler LLP
- 2 -
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 5.2
February , 2000
BFOH Capital Trust I
c/o BancFirst Ohio Corp.
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43702
Re: BFOH Capital Trust I
--------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for BFOH Capital Trust I, a
Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), for purposes of giving the opinions set
forth herein. This opinion letter is being furnished to you at your request.
For purposes of giving the opinions set forth below, our examination of
documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies furnished
to us of the following:
(a) The Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of September 27,
1999, between BancFirst Ohio Corp. (the "Company") and the trustee of the Trust
named therein;
(b) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, as filed in the office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on
September 28, 1999 (the "Certificate");
(c) The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as
of October 18, 1999 (the "Declaration"), among the Company, as Sponsor, the
trustees of the Trust named therein (the "Trustees") and the holders, from time
to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust;
<PAGE> 2
BFOH Capital Trust I
February , 2000
Page 2
(d) The Registration Statement on Form ________ (Registration No.
________ ) (the "Registration Statement"), including a prospectus (the
"Prospectus"), relating to the 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B (Liquidation
Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) of the Trust representing undivided
preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (each, an "Exchange
Capital Security" and collectively, the "Exchange Capital Securities"), as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about February __, 2000; and
(e) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated February __,
2000, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used in this
opinion letter shall have the respective meanings provided in the Declaration,
except that reference herein to any document shall mean such document as in
effect on the date hereof.
For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have not reviewed any
documents other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above.
In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents
listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above) that is referred to in or
incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed
that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that
bears upon or is inconsistent with or contrary to the opinions stated herein. We
have conducted no factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely
upon the foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein
and the additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have
assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the
conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or
forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed (i) that the
Declaration constitutes the entire agreement among the parties thereto with
respect to the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation,
operation, and termination of the Trust, and that the Declaration and the
Certificate are in full force and effect and have not been amended, (ii) except
to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due creation, due formation or
due organization, as the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of
each party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction
governing its creation, formation or organization, (iii) the legal capacity of
each natural person who is a party to the documents examined by us, (iv) that
each of the parties to the documents examined by us has all requisite power and
authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such
documents, (v) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us has duly
authorized, executed and delivered such documents, (vi) the receipt by each
Person to whom an Exchange Capital Security is to be issued by the Trust (the
"Exchange Capital Security Holders") of an appropriate certificate for such
Exchange Capital Security and the exchange by each Exchange
<PAGE> 3
BFOH Capital Trust I
February , 2000
Page 3
Capital Security Holder of its validly issued Series A Capital Securities
accepted for exchange for the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued to it, in
accordance with the Declaration and the Registration Statement, and (vii) that
the Exchange Capital Securities are issued to the Exchange Capital Security
Holders in accordance with the Declaration and the Registration Statement. We
have not participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and
assume no responsibility for its contents.
The opinions in this letter are limited to the laws of the State of
Delaware (other than the securities laws of the State of Delaware) and we have
not considered and express no opinion on the effect of or concerning matters
involving the laws of any other jurisdiction, or rules, regulations, orders and
judicial and administrative decisions relating to such laws, including, without
limitation, the federal laws of the United States of America.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the
opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly formed and is validly existing in good
standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C.
Section 3801, et seq.
2. The Exchange Capital Securities will represent valid and, subject to
the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and nonassessable
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Exchange Capital Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the
Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Exchange Capital
Security Holders may be obligated to make payments and provide indemnity and/or
security as set forth in the Declaration.
We consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving the
foregoing consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
<PAGE> 4
BFOH Capital Trust I
February , 2000
Page 4
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without
our prior written consent, this opinion letter may not be furnished or quoted
to, or relied upon by, any other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
RLS/fg
<PAGE> 1
EX. 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
----------------------------------
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of BancFirst Ohio Corp. of our report dated January 22,
1999 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules
appearing in BancFirst Ohio Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- ------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 15, 2000
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.3
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
Capitol Square, Suite 2100
65 East State Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4260
(614) 228-1541
February 15, 2000
BancFirst Ohio Corp.
BFOH Capital Trust I
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We hereby consent to the references to us under the heading "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus related registration under the Securities Act of
1933,as amended (the "Act"), of $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
Exchange Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the "Debt
Securities") of BancFirst Ohio Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"),
$20,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities
(the"Exchange Capital Securities") of BFOH Capital Trust I, a business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer"), and the Exchange
Guarantee with respect to the Exchange Capital Securities (the "Guarantee") to
be executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the holders from
time to time of the Exchange Capital Securities. In giving such consent, we do
not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Baker & Hostetler LLP
Baker & Hostetler LLP
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 25.1
Registration No.
================================================================================
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) __
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
BFOH CAPTIAL TRUST I
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
$20.0 Million of 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B
================================================================================
<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.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner
Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware
Suite #2901
Philadelphia, PA
(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
affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee
and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not
an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to
commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust
Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of
Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
2
<PAGE> 3
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Wilmington and State of Delaware on the ______ day of December, 1999.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: By:
--------------------------- ---------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name:
Title: Vice President
3
<PAGE> 4
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: December __, 1999 By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title: Vice President
<PAGE> 5
Registration No.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)__
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Ohio
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
<PAGE> 6
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner
Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware
Suite #2901
Philadelphia, PA
(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
affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee
and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not
an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to
commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust
Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of
Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
2
<PAGE> 7
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Wilmington and State of Delaware on the ______ day of December, 1999.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: By:
----------------------- -----------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name:
Title: Vice President
3
<PAGE> 8
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: December __, 1999 By:
----------------------------
Name:
Title: Vice President
<PAGE> 9
Registration No.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) __
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
BANCFIRST OHIO CORP.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Ohio
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
422 Main Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
$20.0 Million of 9.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
<PAGE> 10
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner
Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware
Suite #2901
Philadelphia, PA
(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
affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee
and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not
an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the certificate of authority of Wilmington Trust Company to
commence business and the authorization of Wilmington Trust
Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of
Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
2
<PAGE> 11
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Wilmington and State of Delaware on the ______ day of December, 1999.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: By:
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name:
Title: Vice President
3
<PAGE> 12
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: December __, 1999 By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title: Vice President
<PAGE> 13
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
<PAGE> 14
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the
General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the
Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name
of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed
in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter
or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and
changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and
trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its
Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall
in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of
Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County
of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST
COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In
addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and
operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County,
Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at
Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle
County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County,
Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch
offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market
Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New
Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of
business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or
agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to
confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes
proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation
are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to
the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part
of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law
or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal
at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise
deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint
such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall
<PAGE> 15
require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution
or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills,
notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money,
or securities for money, to buy gold and silver bullion and
foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally
to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and
franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or
necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation
hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate
or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such
property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse
to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of
title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or
elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt,
collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the
purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all
descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be
necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases,
conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every
description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all
its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry,
plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of
every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians,
public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from
all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and
from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or
private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles
for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering,
issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or
underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any
corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive
and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be
agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act
as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or
other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic,
corporation, association or person, either alone or in
conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or
corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any
contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places
of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or
persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office,
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<PAGE> 16
duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction
with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations,
or in like manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance,
obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any
court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or
which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer
or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee,
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in
bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any
other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and
disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or
mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor,
administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations,
court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or
elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any
person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee,
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in
bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any
other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with
surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security
for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such
appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise
of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any
of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to
perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said
Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages,
debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities,
obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any
private, public or municipal corporation within and without the
State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or
of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any
foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for,
and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any
of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital
stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of
indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to
exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures,
notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations,
contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and
all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners
thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal
in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such
securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and
from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue
bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or
mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held
or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds,
as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the
promotion of its said corporate
3
<PAGE> 17
business of investment and to the extent authorized by law, to
lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage
and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and
any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred
by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided
that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same
extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of
the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and
to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities
of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for
the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise;
to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of
the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the
whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise
all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct
and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and
to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever
dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every
kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and,
without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse,
discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of
exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or
transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its
operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent
as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise
acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise
dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and
description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the
United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers
specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except
where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or
restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any
other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but
that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the
clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent
objects, purposes and powers.
4
<PAGE> 18
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which
the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million
(41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value
$10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock");
and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one
or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares
of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every
particular, except that there may be different dates from which
dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative.
The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of each such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may
differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding;
and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of
this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is
hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions
adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of
Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences
and relative, optional and other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series,
including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of
Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number
may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of
Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares
thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the
Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on
which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall
be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of
such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or
classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and
whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such
series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares
of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any
other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms
and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be
subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the
time or times at which, and the terms
5
<PAGE> 19
and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be
redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such
series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger,
consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or
winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase
account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such
series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of
Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or
together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of
Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the
Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of
dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under
such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of
Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends
on the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of
section (b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and
after the Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements,
if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or
redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the
provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), and subject further
to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the provisions
of section (b) of this Article FOURTH, then and not otherwise the
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as
may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if
any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of
this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of
Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or
winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock
shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the
Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available
for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the
number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the
provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by
the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article
FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in
respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted
upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or
of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class
or series of stock or of other securities of
6
<PAGE> 20
the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or
subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any
additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any
increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any
class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or
other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the
Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase
stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional
authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any
right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to
resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms,
corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon
such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the
exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of
Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and
rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be
as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution
or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of
this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or
otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as
are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the
issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred
Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other
series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a
parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding
series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors
may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of
Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH
that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater
proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of
such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any
or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of
Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of
Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for
such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the
Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such
terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred
Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased
from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors
constituting the entire Board shall be
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<PAGE> 21
not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to
time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that
the number of directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term
of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the
number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four
until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as
nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors
constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one
class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in
1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for
a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of
the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring
at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third
class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third
succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for
any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors,
acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less
than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the
next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders
shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next
election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen
and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in
the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent
director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding
the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this
Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation),
any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may
be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote
of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast
at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board
of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election
of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing,
delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage
prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor
more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for
the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21
days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written
notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary
of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day
following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to
stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of
Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name,
age, business address
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<PAGE> 22
and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such
notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee
and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine
and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in
accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual
or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken
without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in
writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is
specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants
as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find
necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same
powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations
organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General
Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time
amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of
the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an
Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said
resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may
exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management
of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power
to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers
which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be
liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the
world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly
authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by
a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make,
alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided
however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may
be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds
or more of the
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<PAGE> 23
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this
purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the
State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time
designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the
Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from
time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by
law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and
(c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any
Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other
corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder),
which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate
(as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any
Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market
value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any
securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested
Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in
exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination
thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or
more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse
stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any
merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its
Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or
into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has
the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the
proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of
equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any
Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested
Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, considered
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for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such
affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be
required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any
agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article
FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any
one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the
section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not
be applicable to any particular business combination and such business
combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by
law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or
By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority
of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business
combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who
or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or
immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10%
of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two
years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,
of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of
capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two
years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder,
and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of
a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public
offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as
hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to
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<PAGE> 25
acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates
or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of
capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through
application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting
Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of
conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given
those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any
class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on
December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment
Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term
"Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each
class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to
determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the basis of
information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares
beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate
or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement,
arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred
to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject
to any business combination or the consideration received for the
issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any
Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to
relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation
imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any
other vote that may be required
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<PAGE> 26
by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class)
shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles
FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of
Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from
liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General
Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the
Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission
occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
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EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 1997
<PAGE> 28
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall be held on the
third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at
such other date, time, or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board
of Directors.
Section 2. Special meetings of all stockholders may be called at any
time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 3. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by
mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his
last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of
such meeting.
Section 4. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company
issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any
business, but the holders of a small number of shares may adjourn, from time to
time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or
special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote,
either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the
stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such
meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 1. The number and classification of the Board of Directors
shall be as set forth in the Charter of the Bank.
Section 2. No person who has attained the age of seventy-two (72) years
shall be nominated for election to the Board of Directors of the Company,
provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to any person who was
serving as director of the Company on September 16, 1971.
Section 3. The class of Directors so elected shall hold office for
three years or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Section 4. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed and
conducted by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of
the Company or
<PAGE> 29
elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its
members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the
President.
Section 6. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President, and
shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 7. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting
of the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any
special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or
place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which
shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 9. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability
to act, or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although
less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold
office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the
vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified.
Section 10. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its
election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, a Trust
Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, and shall elect from
its own members a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President who may be
the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a
Secretary and a Treasurer, who may be the same person, may appoint at any time
such other committees and elect or appoint such other officers as it may deem
advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more
Associate Directors.
Section 11. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or
without cause, any member of any Committee appointed by it or any associate
director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 12. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in
charge of such of the departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem
advisable.
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Executive Committee
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than
nine members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members and who shall
2
<PAGE> 30
hold office during the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have all the powers of the
Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and in
behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office
of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by
a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive
Committee or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The majority
of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time
when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be
kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) The Executive Committee shall advise and superintend all
investments that may be made of the funds of the Company, and shall direct the
disposal of the same, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Board
of Directors from time to time make.
(F) In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity
to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company
by its directors and officers as contemplated by these By-Laws any two available
members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such
disaster shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and
management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the
provisions of Article III of these By-Laws; and if less than three members of
the Trust Committee is constituted immediately prior to such disaster shall be
available for the transaction of its business, such Executive Committee shall
also be empowered to exercise all of the powers reserved to the Trust Committee
under Article III Section 2 hereof. In the event of the unavailability, at such
time, of a minimum of two members of such Executive Committee, any three
available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full
conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This By-Law shall be subject to
implementation by Resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or
hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these
By-Laws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary to the
provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementary
Resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be
determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this section that it
shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of
its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these By-Laws.
3
<PAGE> 31
Section 2. Trust Committee
(A) The Trust Committee shall be composed of not more than
thirteen members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors, a majority of
whom shall be members of the Board of Directors and who shall hold office during
the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Trust Committee shall have general supervision over the
Trust Department and the investment of trust funds, in all matters, however,
being subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
(C) The Trust Committee shall meet at the principal office of the
Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a
majority of its members or at the call of its chairman. A majority of its
members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Trust Committee shall be kept
and promptly submitted to the Board of Directors.
(E) The Trust Committee shall have the power to appoint
Committees and/or designate officers or employees of the Company to whom
supervision over the investment of trust funds may be delegated when the Trust
Committee is not in session.
Section 3. Audit Committee
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of five members who
shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom
shall be an officer of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the
Audit Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer
in charge of the Audit Division, review all reports of examination of the
Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for
that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with
respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the
Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever the
majority of its members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its
business, and a majority of its Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. Compensation Committee
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more
than five (5) members who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its
own members who are
4
<PAGE> 32
not officers of the Company and who shall hold office during the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all
matters of policy concerning the Company brought to its attention by the
management and from time to time review the management of the Company, major
organizational matters, including salaries and employee benefits and
specifically shall administer the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
(C) Meetings of the Compensation Committee may be called at any
time by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or the President of the Company.
Section 5. Associate Directors
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the
Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve during the pleasure of the
Board.
(B) An associate director shall be entitled to attend all
directors meetings and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to
the Board, with the exception that he would have no right to vote. An associate
director will be eligible for appointment to Committees of the Company, with the
exception of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee, which must be comprised solely of active directors.
Section 6. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee
(A) In the absence or disqualification of any member of any
Committee created under Article III of the By-Laws of this Company, the member
or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting,
whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another
member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such
absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all
meetings of the Board and shall have such further authority and powers and shall
perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time confer and
direct. He shall also exercise such powers and perform such duties as may from
time to time be agreed upon between himself and the President of the Company.
Section 2. THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at
which the Chairman of the Board shall not be present and shall have such further
authority and powers and shall perform
5
<PAGE> 33
such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board may from time
to time confer and direct.
Section 3. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to
the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute or assigned
to him by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board
the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. The Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President as
designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal
directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors, and shall
at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and
operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however
denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all the
duties of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and/or the President and such
other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board or the
President and by the officer in charge of the department or division to which
they are assigned.
Section 6. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of
meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the
Committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings and
to recording the same in the minute books of the Company. In addition to the
other notice requirements of these By-Laws and as may be practicable under the
circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance
of the scheduled date of any other meeting. He shall have custody of the
corporate seal and shall affix the same to any documents requiring such
corporate seal and to attest the same.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall have general supervision over all assets
and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all
monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records
of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all the transactions of the
Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company
and shall report to the Board of Directors at each regular meeting of the
condition of the Company, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to
him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee.
Section 8. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general
supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting,
and shall render to the Board of Directors at appropriate times a report
relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers
however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such
duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
6
<PAGE> 34
Section 9. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in
charge of the Audit Division of the Company with such title as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible only to
the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers,
however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such
duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Division.
Section 10. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to
all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time
to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office
Assistant Secretary of this Company and who may perform such duties as may be
prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to whom they
are assigned.
Section 11. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company
shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the
direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Chairman of the
Board of Directors or the President and the officer in charge of the department
or division to which they are assigned.
ARTICLE V
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Shares of stock shall be transferrable on the books of the
Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall
be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the
President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors
and countersigned by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary, and
the seal of the corporation shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall
recite that the stock represented thereby is transferrable only upon the books
of the Company by the holder thereof or his attorney, upon surrender of the
certificate properly endorsed. Any certificate of stock surrendered to the
Company shall be cancelled at the time of transfer, and before a new certificate
or certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof. Duplicate certificates of stock
shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the
Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to fix
in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment
thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment or
rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of
stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor
less than 10 days proceeding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date
for the payment of any dividend,
7
<PAGE> 35
or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or
conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in
connection with obtaining such consent.
8
<PAGE> 36
ARTICLE VI
SEAL
Section 1. The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following
form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington
Trust Company" within the inner circle the words
"Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE VII
FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE VIII
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice
President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power
and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to
attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds,
conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes,
mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or
in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other
fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or
by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of
Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval
or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any
and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though
expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Section 1. Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than
salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or
fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as
members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be
paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as
the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and
associate directors may be employed by the Company for such special services as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine and shall be paid for
such special services so performed reasonable
9
<PAGE> 37
compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. (A) The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made
a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of
the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was
a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving
at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or
agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee
benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably
incurred by such person. The Corporation shall indemnify a person in connection
with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(B) The Corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending
any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
payment of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his capacity as a
Director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall
be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Director or officer to repay
all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Director or
officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.
(C) If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses, under
this Article X is not paid in full within ninety days after a written claim
therefor has been received by the Corporation the claimant may file suit to
recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part,
shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such
action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was
not entitled to the requested indemnification of payment of expenses under
applicable law.
(D) The rights conferred on any person by this Article X shall
not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation,
these By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or
otherwise.
(E) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of
this Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of
any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such
repeal or modification.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
10
<PAGE> 38
Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole
or in part, and any new By-Law or By-Laws adopted at any regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of the majority of all the members
of the Board of Directors then in office.
11
<PAGE> 39
EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and
savings banks with state publication requirements. It has
not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer
to your appropriate state banking authorities for your
state publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
- ---------------------------------------------------------- --------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on September 30, 1999.
--------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins.............................................182,666
Interest-bearing balances.............................................................................0
Held-to-maturity securities..................................................................................34,128
Available-for-sale securities.............................................................................1,644,067
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell......................................259,962
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned income....... 4,251,934
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses..... 71,014
LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve......... 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve..............................4,180,920
Assets held in trading accounts...................................................................................0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)....................................................138,196
Other real estate owned.........................................................................................976
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies...........................................1,452
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding......................................................0
Intangible assets............................................................................................ 5,092
Other assets................................................................................................142,444
Total assets..............................................................................................6,589,903
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 40
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices.......................................................................................4,886,770
Noninterest-bearing ................ 1,084,581
Interest-bearing.................... 3,802,189
Federal funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase................................. 387,343
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.....................................................................69,491
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)..........................................................................0
Other borrowed money:.......................................................................................///////
With original maturity of one year or less......................................................655,000
With original maturity of more than one year.....................................................43,000
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding..........................................................0
Subordinated notes and debentures.................................................................................0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G).................................................................... 84,722
Total liabilities.........................................................................................6,126,326
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.....................................................................0
Common Stock....................................................................................................500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock).....................................................62,118
Undivided profits and capital reserves......................................................................417,321
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities..................................... (16,362)
Total equity capital........................................................................................463,577
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital.......................................6,589,903
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
9.875% EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
(REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933)
FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS
DATED , 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON , 2000, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
AS PROPERTY TRUSTEE OF BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By Mail: By Overnight Delivery or Hand:
Wilmington Trust Company, as Exchange Agent Wilmington Trust Company, as Exchange Agent
Rodney Square North Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street 1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001 Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration - Attention: Corporate Trust Administration -
BFOH Capital Trust I Exchange Offer BFOH Capital Trust I Exchange Offer
To Confirm by Telephone Facsimile Transmissions:
or for Information: (302) 651-8882
(302) 651-1000
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A
NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same
meaning given them in the Prospectus (as defined below). As used herein, the
term "Holder" means a holder of Original Capital Securities, including any
participant ("DTC Participant") in the book-entry transfer facility system of
the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") whose name appears on a security position
listing as the owner of the Original Capital Securities. As used herein,
"Certificates" means the physical certificates representing Original Capital
Securities.
To participate in the Exchange Offer (as defined below), Holders must
tender by (i) book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedures set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer - Procedures for Tendering Original Capital
Securities," or (ii) forwarding Certificates herewith. This Letter of
Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Original Capital Securities either
if (i) Original Capital Securities are to be forwarded herewith or (ii) tenders
of Original Capital Securities are to be made by book-entry transfer to an
account maintained by the Exchange Agent at DTC.
Holders who are DTC Participants tendering by book-entry transfer must
execute such tender through the Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") of DTC.
A Holder using ATOP should transmit its acceptance to DTC
<PAGE> 2
on or prior to the Expiration Date. DTC will verify such acceptance, execute a
book-entry transfer of the tendered Original Capital Securities into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC and then send to the Exchange Agent confirmation
of such book-entry transfer (a "book-entry confirmation"), including an agent's
message (Agent's Message") confirming that DTC has received an express
acknowledgment from such Holder that such Holder has received and agrees to be
bound by this Letter of Transmittal and that the Trust and the Company may
enforce this Letter of Transmittal against such Holder. The book-entry
confirmation must be received y the Exchange Agent in order for the tender
relating thereto to be effective. Book-entry transfer to DTC in accordance with
DTC's procedures does not constitute delivery of the book-entry confirmation to
the Exchange Agent.
If the tender is not made through ATOP, 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 the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at
its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date in order for
such tender to be effective.
Holders of Original Capital Securities whose Certificates 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 or prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Original Capital
Securities according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the
Prospectus.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION OR CERTIFICATES,
THIS LETTER OFTRANSMITTAL, 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
SERVICEIS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT.
<PAGE> 3
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
- ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
LIQUIDATION AMOUNT
AGGREGATE LIQUIDATION OF ORIGINAL CAPITAL
CERTIFICATE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL SECURITIES TENDERED
NUMBER(S) * CAPITAL SECURITIES HELD (IF LESS THAN ALL TENDERED)
----------------- ---------------------- --------------------------
----------------- ---------------------- --------------------------
----------------- ---------------------- --------------------------
----------------- ---------------------- --------------------------
----------------- ---------------------- --------------------------
TOTAL AMOUNT
TENDERED
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------
</TABLE>
* Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
** Original Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in
denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof,
provided that if any Original Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in
part, the untendered liquidation amount thereof must be $100,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. All Original Capital Securities held shall
be deemed tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column.
(BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
- - CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT
WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution_____________________________________________
DTC Account Number________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number___________________________________________________
- - CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
IF TENDERED ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Registered Holders(s)_____________________________________________
Window Ticket Number (if any)_____________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery________________________
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery_____________________________
If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution_____________________________________________
DTC Account Number________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number___________________________________________________
- - CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OR
NON-TENDERED ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING
THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.
- - CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL
SECURITIES FOR YOUR 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:__________________________________________________________________
Area Code and Telephone Number:___________________________________________
Contact Person:___________________________________________________________
<PAGE> 4
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to BFOH Capital Trust I, a trust created
under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust"), the above described aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Trust's 9.875% Capital Securities, Series A (the
"Original Capital Securities") in exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Trust's 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B (the "Exchange Capital
Securities") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus dated , 2000 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is hereby 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 Original Capital Securities tendered herewith in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer
is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Trust all right, title and interest in and to such Original Capital
Securities as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact
(with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the
Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered
Original Capital Securities, with full power of substitution (such power of
attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest),
subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i)
deliver Certificates for Original Capital Securities to the Trust together with
all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order
of, the Trust, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent,
of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued in exchange for such Original
Capital Securities, (ii) present Certificates for such Original Capital
Securities for transfer, and to transfer the Original Capital Securities on the
books of the Trust, and (iii) receive for the account of the Trust all benefits
and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Original
Capital Securities, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS
FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE
ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED
FOR EXCHANGE, THE TRUST WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE
THERETO, FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES,
AND THAT THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES 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 TRUST OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE
NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE
ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY
WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE UNDERSIGNED
HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Original
Capital Securities tendered hereby should be printed above in the box entitled
"Description of Original Capital Securities Tendered," and if they are not
already set forth in such box, as they appear on the Certificates representing
such Original Capital Securities. The Certificate number(s) of any such
Certificates and the Liquidation Amount of such Original Capital Securities that
the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes
above.
If any tendered Original Capital Securities are not exchanged pursuant
to the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more
Original Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange,
Certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Original Capital Securities
will be returned (or, in the case of Original Capital Securities tendered by
book-entry transfer, such Original Capital Securities will be credited to an
account maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly
following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Original Capital Securities
pursuant to any one of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the
<PAGE> 5
Prospectus and in the instructions herein will, upon the Trust's acceptance for
exchange of such tendered Original Capital Securities, constitute a binding
agreement between the undersigned and the Trust upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes that, under
certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Trust may not be required
to accept for exchange any of the Original Capital Securities tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Capital
Securities be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Original Capital Securities, that such Exchange Capital
Securities be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If
applicable, substitute Certificates representing Original Capital Securities not
exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in
the case of a book-entry transfer of Original Capital Securities, will be
credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please deliver
certificates evidencing Exchange Capital Securities to the undersigned at the
address shown below the undersigned's signature.
BY TENDERING ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT (I) THE
UNDERSIGNED IS NOT AN "AFFILIATE" OF THE TRUST OR BANCFIRST OHIO CORP. (THE
"COMPANY"), (II) ANY EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES 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 CAPITAL
SECURITIES 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 CAPITAL SECURITIES. BY TENDERING ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT
TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, A HOLDER OF
ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES WHICH IS A BROKER-DEALER REPRESENTS AND AGREES,
CONSISTENT WITH CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE LETTERS ISSUED BY THE STAFF OF THE DIVISION
OF CORPORATION FINANCE OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO THIRD
PARTIES, THAT (A) SUCH ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES HELD BY THE BROKER-DEALER ARE
HELD ONLY AS A NOMINEE, OR (B) SUCH ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY
SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES
OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES AND IT WILL DELIVER THE PROSPECTUS (AS AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES (PROVIDED
THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND BY DELIVERING A PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER
WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT IS AN "UNDERWRITER" WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE SECURITIES ACT).
THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST HAVE AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS
OF THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER (AS
DEFINED BELOW) IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES
RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES, WHERE SUCH ORIGINAL
CAPITAL SECURITIES 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 180 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (SUBJECT TO EXTENSION UNDER
CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF EARLIER, WHEN
ALL SUCH EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED ORIGINAL CAPITAL
SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH ORIGINAL CAPITAL
SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT
OF NOTICE FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE
<PAGE> 6
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 CAPITAL SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST HAVE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAVE
FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER OR THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE
EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE. IF THE COMPANY
OR THE TRUST GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE CAPITAL
SECURITIES, IT SHALL EXTEND THE 180-DAY PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION
WITH THE RESALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE
PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING
THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS SHALL HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE
SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE
CAPITAL SECURITIES OR TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR THE
TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY BE
RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
Holders of Original Capital Securities whose Original Capital
Securities are accepted for exchange will not receive Distributions on such
Original Capital Securities and the undersigned hereby waives the right to
receive Distributions on such Original Capital Securities following such
acceptance. Holders of Original Capital Securities as of the _______, 2000
record date for the initial Distribution on March 15, 2000, including such
holders who tender their Original Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, will be entitled to receive such initial Distribution.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter
of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy,
legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF
ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE
DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH
BOX.
<PAGE> 7
_______________________________________________________________________________
HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)
(NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificate(s) for the Original Capital Securities hereby tendered or on the
records of DTC, as the case may be, or by any person(s) authorized to become the
registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith
(including such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as may
be required by the Company, the Trust or the Exchange Agent to comply with the
restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Capital Securities). If
signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian,
officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or
representative capacity, please set forth the signer's full title. See
Instruction 5.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Signature(s) of Holder(s)
Date____________________________________________________________________, 2000
Name(s)________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)
Authorized Signature___________________________________________________________
Name(s)________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Date____________________________________________________________________, 2000
Capacity or Title______________________________________________________________
Name of Firm___________________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6) (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)
<S> <C>
To be completed ONLY if the Exchange Capital To be completed ONLY if the Exchange Capital
Securities and/or any non-tendered or non-exchanged Securities and/or non-tendered or non-exchanged
Original Capital Securities are to be issued in the name Original Capital Securities are to be sent to someone
of someone other than the registered holder of the other than the registered holder of the Original
Original Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above. Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above, or
to such registered holder(s) at an address other than
that shown above.
Issue:
Issue:
[ ] Exchange Capital Securities to: [ ] Exchange Capital Securities to:
[ ] Non-tendered or non-exchanged Original Capital [ ] Non-tendered or non-exchanged Original Capital
Securities to: Securities to:
Name_____________________________________________________ Name__________________________________________________
(Please Print) (Please Print)
Address__________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code) (Include Zip Code)
_________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
(Taxpayer Identification or (Taxpayer Identification or
Social Security Number) Social Security Number)
_________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
(Telephone Number, with Area Code) (Telephone Number, with Area Code)
- ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
SEE IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
<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)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.
Certificates, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Original
Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as this
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by
book-entry transfer also may be made by delivering an Agents Message in lieu of
this Letter of Transmittal. Original Capital Securities may be tendered in whole
or in part in the Liquidation Amount of $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that, if any Original
Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in part, the untendered Liquidation
Amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) or any integral
multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Holders who wish to tender their Original Capital Securities and (i)
whose Original Capital Securities are not immediately available or (ii) who
cannot deliver their Original Capital Securities, this Letter of Transmittal and
all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration
Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry
transfer on or prior to the Expiration Date, may tender their Original Capital
Securities by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the
Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (ii) 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 (iii) the Certificates (or a "book-entry
confirmation" (as defined in the Prospectus)) representing all tendered Original
Capital Securities, in proper form for transfer, together with a 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 within three New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading days after the date of execution of such
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or
transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For
Original Capital Securities to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed
delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the
Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution,"
including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer,
municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer;
(iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING
HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
Neither the Company nor the Trust will accept any alternative,
conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any
notice of the acceptance of such tender.
<PAGE> 10
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 DTC security position listing as the owner of the
Original Capital Securities) of Original Capital Securities 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 Original Capital Securities are tendered for the account of a
firm that is an Eligible Institution.
In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the
signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Original Capital Securities Tendered" is inadequate, the
Certificate number(s) and/or the aggregate liquidation amount of the Original
Capital Securities and any other required information should be listed on a
separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of Transmittal.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Original Capital
Securities will be accepted only in the Liquidation Amount of $100,000 (100
Capital Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided
that if any Original Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in part, the
untendered Liquidation Amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital Securities)
or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than all the
Original Capital Securities evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be
tendered, fill in the liquidation amount of Original Capital Securities which
are to be tendered in the box entitled "Liquidation Amount of Original Capital
Securities Tendered (if less than all tendered)." In such case, new
Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Original Capital Securities that were
evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will be sent to the holder of the Original
Capital Securities, promptly after the Expiration Date, unless the appropriate
boxes of this Letter of Transmittal are completed. All Original Capital
Securities represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Original Capital
Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In
order for a withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written 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 Original Capital Securities to be withdrawn,
the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Original Capital Securities to be withdrawn,
and (if Certificates for Original Capital Securities have been tendered) the
name of the registered holder of the Original Capital Securities as set forth on
the Certificate for the Original Capital Securities, if different from that of
the person who tendered such Original Capital Securities. If Certificates for
the Original Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise identified to
the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for
the Original Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial
numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Original Capital Securities
to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Original Capital Securities
tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Original Capital
Securities have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer
set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Original Capital
Securities," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the
account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Original Capital
Securities, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered
to the Exchange Agent by written or facsimile transmission on or prior to the
Expiration Date. Withdrawals of tenders of Original Capital Securities may not
be rescinded. Original Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed
validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at
any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the
procedures described herein and in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities."
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time
of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. None of the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any
duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any
<PAGE> 11
notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification. Any Original Capital Securities which have been tendered but which
are withdrawn will be returned or transferred by book-entry, as the case may be,
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
Original Capital Securities tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond
exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) or as
recorded on DTC's book-entry transfer facility system, as the case may be,
without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Original Capital Securities tendered hereby are owned of
record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of
Transmittal.
If any tendered Original Capital Securities are registered in different
name(s) on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and
submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there
are different registrations of Certificates. If any tendered Original Capital
Securities are registered in different names in several book-entry accounts,
proper procedures for book-entry transfer must be followed for each account.
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 and the Trust, in their sole discretion, of
such persons' authority to so act.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s)
of the Original Capital Securities listed and transmitted hereby, no
endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless
Exchange Capital Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than
the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s)
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Original Capital Securities listed, the Certificates
must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as
the name or names of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and
also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other
information as the Company, the Trust and the Exchange Agent may require in
accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Capital
Securities. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution.
6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If Exchange Capital
Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of
this Letter of Transmittal, or if Exchange Capital Securities are to be sent to
someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address
other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal
should be completed. Certificates for Original Capital Securities not exchanged
will be returned, if evidenced by Certificates, by mail or, if tendered by
book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above maintained at DTC.
See Instruction 4.
7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company and the Trust will determine, in their
sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any
tender of Original Capital Securities, which determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right to
reject any and all tenders determined by either of them not to be in proper form
or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which, may, in the view of counsel
to the Company and the Trust, be unlawful. The Company and the Trust also
reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the
conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange
Offer -- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any conditions or
irregularity in any tender of Original Capital Securities of any particular
holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the
case of other holders.
The Company's and the Trust's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Original Capital
Securities will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities
with respect to such tender have been
<PAGE> 12
cured or waived. None of the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of
the Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall be
under any duty to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur
any liability for failure to give such notification.
8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address
and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING; SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under U.S. Federal
income tax law, a holder whose tendered Original Capital Securities are accepted
for exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder's
correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If
the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In
addition, payments to such holders or other payees with respect to Original
Capital Securities exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to
31% backup withholding.
The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 2 is checked, the
holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60 day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9.
If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the
date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60 day period
will be remitted to the holder and no further amounts shall be retained or
withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter. If, however, the holder
has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60 day period,
amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In addition,
31% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the IRS
until a correct TIN is provided.
The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Original Capital Securities or of the last transferee appearing on the
transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the Original Capital Securities. If the
Original Capital Securities are registered in more than one name or are not in
the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification
of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional
guidance on which number to report.
Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the face
thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax.
Rather, the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
10. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s)
representing Original Capital Securities have been lost, destroyed or stolen,
the holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be
instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the
Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be
processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen
Certificate(s) have been followed.
<PAGE> 13
11. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Original Capital
Securities for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in
connection therewith. If, however, Exchange Capital Securities are to be
delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered holder of the Original Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer
tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Original Capital
Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such
transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons)
will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of
such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.
12. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company and the Trust reserve the
absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the
Prospectus.
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.
<PAGE> 14
TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL
TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS
(SEE INSTRUCTION 9)
PAYOR'S NAME: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Exchange Agent
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SUBSTITUTE Part 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT ____________________
Form W-9 RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND Social Security Number or
DATING BELOW Employer Identification
Number
Department of the Treasury Part 2
Internal Revenue Service Awaiting TIN / /
</TABLE>
CERTIFICATION - UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT (1) the number
shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting
for a number to be issued to me), (2) I am not subject to backup withholding
either because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding, (ii) I have not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to backup
withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or
(iii) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding,
and (3) any other information provided on this form is true and correct.
Payer's Request for Taxpayer SIGNATURE__________________________
Identification Number (TIN)
and Certification DATE_______________________________
You must cross out item (iii) in Part (2) above if you have been notified by the
IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting
interest or dividends on your tax return and you have not been notified by the
IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding.
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification
number has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all payments made to me on account of the Exchange Capital Securities shall
be retained until I provide a taxpayer identification number to the Exchange
Agent and that, if I do not provide my taxpayer identification number within 60
days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as
backup withholding and 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will
be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service until I provide a
taxpayer identification number.
Signature Date
------------------------------------ -------------------------
<PAGE> 15
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
FOR TENDER OF
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this
form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates for the Trust's (as defined below) 9.875% Capital Securities,
Series A (the "Original Capital Securities") are not immediately available, (ii)
Original Capital Securities, the Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents cannot be delivered to Wilmington Trust Company, Property Trustee of
BFOH Capital Trust I, as Exchange Agent (the "Exchange Agent") on or prior to
the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus referred to below) or (iii)
the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed on or
prior to the Expiration Date. 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 Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
AS PROPERTY TRUSTEE OF BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
RODNEY SQUARE NORTH
1100 NORTH MARKET STREET
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19890-0001
ATTENTION: CORPORATE TRUST ADMINISTRATION -
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I EXCHANGE OFFER
TO CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE OR FOR INFORMATION:
(302) 651-1000
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS:
(302) 651-8882
DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY VIA FACSIMILE
TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF
A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN
"ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL.
<PAGE> 16
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to BFOH Capital Trust I, a trust created under
the laws of Delaware (the "Trust"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the Prospectus dated , 2000 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), and the related Letter of
Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Original Capital
Securities set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for
Tendering Original Capital Securities."
Aggregate Liquidation: Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
---------- ------------
Amount Tendered: Address(es):
---------------- --------------------------------
Certificate No(s).:
(if available) ------------- Area Code and Telephone Number(s):
-----------
If Original Capital Securities will be tendered by book-entry transfer, provide
the following information:
Signature(s):_____________________________
DTC Account Number:_______________________
Date:_____________________________________
THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED
<PAGE> 17
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
clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing being
referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to deliver to the
Exchange Agent, at its address set forth above, either the Original Capital
Securities tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the
book-entry transfer of such Original Capital Securities to the Exchange Agent's
account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either case together with
one or more properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof) and any other required documents within three business days
after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of Transmittal
and the Original Capital Securities 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.
Name of Firm:
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
Address: Title:
----------------------------------- ----------------------------
Name:
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
(Zip Code) (Please type or print)
Area Code and
Telephone Number: Date:
--------------------------- ----------------------------
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES WITH THIS NOTICE
OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. ACTUAL SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES FOR ORIGINAL CAPITAL
SECURITIES MUST BE MADE PURSUANT TO, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A PROPERLY COMPLETED
AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.2
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
9.875% EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES
FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
To Our Clients:
We are enclosing herewith a Prospectus, dated _________, 2000 of BFOH Capital
Trust I, a trust created under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust"), and a related
Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer") relating
to the offer by the Trust to exchange its 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B
(the "Exchange Capital Securities"), pursuant to an offering registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for a like
Liquidation Amount of its issued and outstanding 9.875% Capital Securities,
Series A (the "Original Capital Securities"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer.
Please note that the Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
_________,2000, unless extended.
The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Original Capital
Securities being tendered.
We are the holder of record and/or participant in the book-entry transfer
facility of Original Capital Securities held by us for your account. A tender of
such Original Capital Securities can be made only by us as the record holder
and/or participant in the book-entry transfer facility and pursuant to your
instructions. The Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your information
only and cannot be used by you to tender Original Capital Securities held by us
for your account.
We request instructions as to whether you wish to tender any or all of the
Original Capital Securities held by us for your account pursuant to the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer. We also request that you confirm that we
may on your behalf make the representations contained in the Letter of
Transmittal.
Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Original Capital
Securities will represent to the Trust that (i) the Exchange Capital Securities
acquired in the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of
business of the person receiving such Exchange Capital Securities, whether or
not such person is such holder, (ii) neither the holder of the Original Capital
Securities nor any such other person has an arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Capital
Securities, (iii) if the holder is not a broker-dealer or is a broker-dealer but
will not receive Exchange Capital Securities for its own account in exchange for
Original Capital Securities, neither the holder nor any such other person is
engaged in or intends to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Capital
Securities and (iv) neither the holder nor any such other person is an
"affiliate" of the Trust or BancFirst Ohio Corp. (the "Company") within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If the
tendering holder is a broker-dealer (whether or not it is also an "affiliate")
that will receive Exchange Capital Securities for its own account in exchange
for Original Capital Securities, we will represent on behalf of such
broker-dealer that the Original Capital Securities to be exchanged for the
Exchange Capital Securities were acquired by it as a result of marketing-making
activities or other trading activities, and acknowledge on behalf of such
broker-dealer that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. By
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital
Securities, the undersigned is not deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Act.
Very truly yours,
<PAGE> 2
INSTRUCTION TO REGISTERED HOLDER AND/OR
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER PARTICIPANT FROM OWNER
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES
To Registered Holder and/or Participant of the Book-Entry Transfer Facility:
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated ___________,
2000 (the "Prospectus") of BFOH Capital Trust I, a trust created under the laws
of Delaware (the "Trust"), and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the
"Letter of Transmittal"), that together constitute the Trust's offer (the
"Exchange Offer"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
This will instruct you, the registered holder and/or book-entry transfer
facility participant, as to the action to be taken by you relating to the
Exchange Offer with respect to the Original Capital Securities held by you for
the account of the undersigned.
The aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Original Capital Securities held by you
for the account of the undersigned is (fill in amount):
$__________________________ of the 9.875% Capital Securities.
With respect to the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby instructs you (check
appropriate box):
[ ] To TENDER the following Original Capital Securities held by you for the
account of the undersigned (insert Liquidation Amount of Original Capital
Securities to be tendered, (if any):
$__________________________ of the 9.875% Capital Securities.
[ ] NOT to TENDER any Original Capital Securities held by you for the account
of the undersigned.
If the undersigned instructs you to tender the Original Capital Securities held
by you for the account of the undersigned, it is understood that you are
authorized to make, on behalf of the undersigned (and the undersigned, by its
signature below, hereby makes to you), the representation and warranties
contained in the Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to the
undersigned as a beneficial owner, including but not limited to the
representations, that (i) the Exchange Capital Securities acquired pursuant to
the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
undersigned, (ii) neither the undersigned nor any such other person has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such Exchange Capital Securities, (iii) if the undersigned is not a
broker-dealer, or is a broker-dealer but will not receive Exchange Capital
Securities for its own account in exchange for Original Capital Securities,
neither the undersigned nor any such other person is engaged in or intends to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Capital Securities and (iv)
neither the undersigned nor any such other person is an "affiliate" of the Trust
or BancFirst Ohio Corp. within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer (whether or not it is also an "affiliate") that will receive
Exchange Capital Securities for its own account in exchange for Original Capital
Securities, it represents that such Original Capital Securities were acquired as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and it
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital
Securities. By acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Capital Securities, the undersigned is not deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
<PAGE> 3
SIGN HERE
Name of beneficial owner(s):__________________________________________________
Signature(s):_________________________________________________________________
Name(s) (please print):_______________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number:_____________________________________________________________
Taxpayer identification or Social Security Number:____________________________
Date:_________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE> 4
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
9.875% EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES
FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES
OF
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
To Registered Holders and Depository
Trust Company Participants:
We are enclosing herewith the material listed below relating to the
offer by BancFirst Ohio Corp. (the "Company"), an Ohio corporation, and BFOH
Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust to exchange 9.875%
Capital Securities, Series B of the Trust (the "Exchange Capital Securities"),
pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), for a like liquidation amount of the issued and
outstanding 9.875% Capital Securities, Series A of the Trust (the "Original
Capital Securities") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the Company's Prospectus, dated ____________________________, 2000, and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer").
Enclosed herewith are copies of the following documents:
1. Prospectus dated , 2000;
---------------------------
2. Letter of Transmittal;
3. Notice of Guaranteed Delivery;
4. Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer
participant from Owner; and
5. Letter which may be sent to your clients for whose account you
hold Original Capital Securities in your name or in the name
of your nominee, to accompany the instruction form referred to
above, for obtaining such client's instruction with regard to
the Exchange Offer.
We urge you to contact your clients promptly. Please note that the
Offer will expire 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2000, unless
extended.
The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Original
Capital Securities being tendered.
Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Original Capital
Securities will represent to the Company that (i) the Exchange Capital
Securities acquired in the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary
course of business of the person receiving such Exchange
<PAGE> 5
Capital Securities, whether or not such person is such holder, (ii) neither the
holder of the Original Capital Securities nor any such other person has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such Exchange Capital Securities, (iii) if the holder is not a broker-dealer
or is a broker-dealer but will not receive Exchange Capital Securities for its
own account in exchange for Original Capital Securities, neither the holder nor
any such other person is engaged in or intends to participate in a distribution
of the Exchange Capital Securities and (iv) neither the holder nor any such
other person is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If the tendering holder is a
broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Capital Securities for its own account
in exchange for Original Capital Securities, you will represent on behalf of
such broker-dealer that the Original Capital Securities to be exchanged for the
Exchange Capital Securities were acquired by it as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, and acknowledge on behalf of such
broker-dealer that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital Securities. By
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Capital
Securities, the undersigned is not deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Act.
The enclosed Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry
Transfer Participant from Owner contains an authorization by the beneficial
owners of the Original Capital Securities for you to make the foregoing
representations.
The Company will not pay any fee or commission to any broker or dealer
or to any other persons (other than the Exchange Agent) in connection with the
solicitation of tenders of Original Capital Securities pursuant to the Offer.
The Company will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes payable on the
transfer of Original Capital Securities to it, except as otherwise provided in
Instruction ____ of the enclosed Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the enclosed material may be obtained from the
undersigned.
Very truly yours,
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU THE
AGENT OF BENTON OIL AND GAS COMPANY OR WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY OR AUTHORIZE YOU
TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON THEIR BEHALF IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFER OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED
THEREIN.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.3
EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT
___________, 2000
Wilmington Trust Company,
as Property Trustee of BFOH Capital Trust I
Corporate Trust Administration
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Ladies and Gentlemen:
BFOH Capital Trust I, a business trust formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Trust") proposes to make an offer (the "Exchange Offer")
to exchange any and all of its outstanding 9.875% Capital Securities, Series A
(Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Original Capital
Securities") for its 9.875% Capital Securities, Series B (Liquidation Amount
$1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Exchange Capital Securities"). All of the
beneficial interests represented by common securities of the Trust are owned by
BancFirst Ohio Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Corporation"). The terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer as currently contemplated are set forth in a
prospectus, dated ___________, 2000 (as the same may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, the "Prospectus"), to be distributed to all record holders of
the Original Capital Securities. A copy of the Prospectus is attached hereto as
Exhibit A. The Original Capital Securities and the Exchange Capital Securities
are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities." Capitalized terms used
but not defined herein shall have the same meaning given them in the Prospectus.
A copy of each of the form of the Letter of Transmittal, the form of
the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the form of letter to brokers and the form of
letter to clients to be used in connection with the Exchange Offer are attached
hereto as Exhibit B.
The Trust hereby appoints the Property Trustee to act as exchange agent
(the "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange Offer. References
hereinafter to "you" shall refer to the Property Trustee.
The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Trust on or about
___________, 2000. The Letter of Transmittal accompanying the Prospectus (or in
the case of book-entry securities, the ATOP system) is to be used by the holders
of the Original Capital Securities to accept the Exchange Offer and contains
instructions with respect to (i) the delivery of certificates for
<PAGE> 2
Wilmington Trust Company
___________, 2000
Original Capital Securities tendered in connection therewith and (ii) the
book-entry transfer of Securities to the Exchange Agent's account.
The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on
___________, 2000 or on such later date or time to which the Trust may extend
the Exchange Offer (the "Expiration Date"). Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Prospectus, the Trust expressly reserves the right to extend
the Exchange Offer from time to time by giving oral (to be 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 Trust expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the
Exchange Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Original Capital Securities
not theretofore accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the
conditions of the Exchange Offer specified in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer." The Trust will give
you prompt oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice of any amendment,
termination or nonacceptance of Original Capital Securities.
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 in the section of the Prospectus captioned "The Exchange
Offer" or as specifically set forth herein.
2. You will establish an account with respect to the Original
Capital Securities at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facility") for purposes of the Exchange Offer as soon as practicable, and any
financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's system may make book-entry delivery of the Original Capital
Securities by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Original
Capital Securities into your account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's procedure for such transfer.
3. You are to examine each of the Letters of Transmittal and
certificates for Original Capital Securities (or confirmation of book-entry
transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) and any other
documents received by you from or for holders of the Original Capital Securities
to ascertain whether: (i) on their face 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 Original Capital Securities have
otherwise been properly tendered. In each case where the Letter of Transmittal
or any other document has been improperly completed or executed or any of the
certificates for Original Capital Securities 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 such tendering holders 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.
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4. With the approval of any Administrative Trustee of the Trust or
any person designated in writing by the Corporation (a "Designated Officer")
(such approval, if given orally, to be confirmed in writing) or any other party
designated by any such Administrative Trustee or Designated Officer in writing,
you are authorized to waive any irregularities in connection with any tender of
Original Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
5. Tenders of Original Capital Securities may be made only as set
forth in the Letter of Transmittal and in the section of the Prospectus
captioned "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Original Capital
Securities," and Original Capital Securities shall be considered properly
tendered to you only when tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth
therein.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph 5, Original Capital
Securities that any Administrative Trustee of the Trust or Designated Officer of
the Corporation shall approve as having been properly tendered shall be
considered to be properly tendered. Such approval, if given orally, shall be
confirmed in writing.
6. You shall advise the Trust and the Corporation with respect to
any Original Capital Securities received subsequent to the Expiration Date and
accept their instructions with respect to disposition of such Original Capital
Securities.
7. You shall accept tenders:
(a) in cases where the Original Capital Securities are registered in
two or more names only if signed by all named holders;
(b) in cases where the signing person (as indicated on the Letter of
Transmittal) is acting in a fiduciary or a representative
capacity only when proper evidence of such person's authority so
to act is submitted; and
(c) from persons other than the registered holder of Original Capital
Securities provided that customary transfer requirements are
fulfilled.
You shall accept partial tenders of Original Capital Securities where
so indicated and as permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver
certificates for Original Capital Securities to the transfer agent for division
and return any untendered Original Capital Securities to the holder (or such
other person as may be designated in the Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as
practicable after expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
8. Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the
Exchange Offer, the Trust will notify you (such notice, if given orally, to be
confirmed in writing) of its acceptance, promptly after the Expiration Date, of
all Original Capital Securities properly tendered and you, on behalf of the
Trust, will exchange such Original Capital Securities for Exchange Capital
Securities provided to you by or on behalf of the Trust and cause such Original
Capital Securities to be canceled. Delivery of Exchange Capital Securities will
be made on behalf of the Trust by you at the rate of $1,000
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liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities for each $1,000 liquidation
amount of the corresponding series of Original Capital Securities tendered
promptly after notice (such notice, if given orally, to be confirmed in writing)
of acceptance of said Original Capital Securities by the Trust; provided,
however, that in all cases, Original Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be exchanged only after timely receipt by you of
certificates for such Original Capital Securities (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 documents. The Trust
shall issue Exchange Capital Securities only in denominations of $1,000 or any
integral multiple thereof. Original Capital Securities may be tendered in whole
or in part in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof, provided that if any Original Capital Securities are tendered
for exchange in part, the untendered liquidation amount thereof must be $100,000
or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
9. Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except
that, subject to the terms and upon the conditions set forth in the Prospectus
and the Letter of Transmittal, Original Capital Securities tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration
Date.
10. The Trust shall not be required to exchange any Original Capital
Securities tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are
not met. Notice of any decision by the Trust not to exchange any Original
Capital Securities tendered shall be given orally (and confirmed in writing) by
the Trust to you.
11. If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Trust does not accept for
exchange all or part of the Original Capital Securities tendered because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange
Offer" or otherwise, you shall promptly after the expiration or termination of
the Exchange Offer return those certificates of Original Capital Securities not
accepted for exchange (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 Original Capital Securities,
unaccepted Original Capital Securities or Exchange Capital Securities shall be
forwarded (a) by first-class certified mail, return receipt requested, under a
blanket surety bond at the direction and expense of the Corporation protecting
you and the Trust from loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or
non-delivery of such certificates; (b) by registered mail insured separately by
you at the expense of the Corporation, protecting you, the Corporation and the
Trust from loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of
such certificates or (c) by effectuating appropriate book-entry transfer.
13. You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any concessions,
commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, bank or other persons or
to engage or utilize any person to solicit tenders.
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Wilmington Trust Company
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14. As Exchange Agent hereunder you:
(a) shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically
set forth in the section of the Prospectus captioned "The
Exchange Offer," the Letter of Transmittal or herein or as may be
subsequently agreed to in writing by you and the Trust;
(b) will be regarded as making no representations and having no
responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or
genuineness of any of the certificates or the Original Capital
Securities or Exchange Capital Securities represented thereby
deposited with you or issued 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 the
Letter of Transmittal or any other disclosure materials delivered
in connection therewith;
(c) shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder; if,
however, you determine to take any legal action hereunder, and,
where the taking of such action might, in your judgment, subject
or expose you to any expense or liability, you shall not be
required to act unless you shall have been furnished with an
indemnity satisfactory to you;
(d) may rely on, and be fully authorized and protected in acting or
failing to act upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice,
letter, telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or other document
or security delivered to you and believed by you to be genuine
and to have been signed by the proper party or parties;
(e) may reasonably act upon any tender, statement, request, agreement
or other instrument whatsoever not only as to its due execution
and validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to
the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein,
which you shall in good faith believe to be genuine or to have
been signed or represented by a proper person or persons;
(f) may rely on, and shall be authorized and protected in acting or
failing to act upon the written, telephonic and oral instructions
with respect to any matter relating to you acting as Exchange
Agent covered by this Agreement (or supplementing or qualifying
any such actions) of officers of the Corporation;
(g) may consult with counsel satisfactory to you, including counsel
for the Trust, with respect to any questions relating to your
duties and responsibilities and the advice or opinion of such
counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken
by you hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice
or opinion of such counsel, provided that you shall promptly
notify the Corporation of any action taken or omitted by you in
reliance upon such advice or opinion;
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(h) are not authorized, and shall have no obligation, to pay any
brokers, dealers or soliciting fees to any person; and
(i) shall not advise any person tendering Original Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer as to the wisdom of making such
tender or as to the market value or decline or appreciation in
market value of any Original Capital Securities.
15. You shall take such action as may from time to time be requested
by the Trust or its counsel or any Designated Officer of the Corporation (and
such other action as you may reasonably deem appropriate) to furnish copies of
the Prospectus, Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or
such other forms as may be approved and provided to you from time to time by the
Trust or the Corporation, 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 Trust 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 the Trust,
Attention: Kim M. Taylor.
16. You shall advise by facsimile transmission or telephone, and
promptly thereafter confirm in writing to Kim M. Taylor of the Trust, and such
other person or persons as the Trust or the Corporation may request, daily (and
more frequently during the week immediately preceding the Expiration Date and if
otherwise requested by the Corporation or the Trust) up to and including the
Expiration Date, as to the aggregate liquidation amount of Original Capital
Securities which have been tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the items
received by you pursuant to this Agreement, separately reporting and giving
cumulative totals as to items properly received and items improperly received.
In addition, you will also inform, and cooperate in making available to, the
Trust or the Corporation or any such other person or persons, upon oral request
made from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date, such other
information as it or such person reasonably requests. Such cooperation shall
include, without limitation, the granting by you to the Trust or the
Corporation, and such person as the Trust or the Corporation 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 Trust or
the Corporation 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 liquidation
amount of Original Capital Securities tendered, the aggregate liquidation amount
of Original Capital Securities accepted and deliver said list to the Trust
promptly after the Expiration Date.
17. Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery
received by you shall be stamped by you as to the date and the time of receipt
thereof and shall be preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to the
period of time you preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of
securities.
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Wilmington Trust Company
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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
Trust, 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 the compensation set forth on Schedule I attached hereto, plus
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in
connection with your services hereunder, within thirty days following receipt by
the Corporation of an itemized statement of such expenses and fees in reasonable
detail.
20.(a)The Trust covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold you
(which for purposes of this paragraph shall include your
directors, officers and employees) harmless in your individual
capacity and in your capacity as Exchange Agent hereunder from
and against any and all loss, liability, cost, damage, expense
and claim, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses, incurred by you as a result of, arising out of
or in connection with the performance by you of your duties under
this Agreement or the compliance by you with the instructions set
forth herein or delivered hereunder; provided, however, that the
Trust shall not be liable for indemnification or otherwise, or
hold you harmless, for any loss, liability, cost, damage, expense
or claim arising out of your bad faith, gross negligence or
willful misconduct. In no case shall the Trust be liable under
this indemnity with respect to any claim against you unless the
Trust shall be notified by you, by letter or by facsimile
confirmed by letter, of the written assertion of a claim against
you or of any other action commenced against you, promptly after
you shall have received any such written assertion or notice of
commencement of action. The Trust shall be entitled to
participate at its own expense in the defense of any such claim
or other action, and, if the Trust so elects, the Trust may
assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim;
provided, that the Trust shall not be entitled to assume the
defense of any such action if the named parties to such action
include both the Trust and you and representation of both parties
by the same legal counsel would, in the written opinion of
counsel to you, be inappropriate due to actual or potential
conflicting interests between them. In the event that the Trust
shall properly assume the defense of any such suit or threatened
action in respect of which indemnification may be sought
hereunder, the Trust shall not be liable for the fees and
expenses of any counsel thereafter retained by you. The Trust
shall not be liable under this paragraph for the fees and
expenses of more than one legal counsel for you.
(b) You agree that, without the prior written consent of the Trust
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), you will not
settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any pending or
threatened claim, action, or proceeding in respect of which
indemnification could be sought in accordance with the
indemnification provisions of this Agreement (whether or not you
or the Trust or any of its trustees or controlling persons is an
actual or potential party to such claim, action or proceeding),
unless
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such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional
release of the Trust and its trustees and controlling persons
from all liability arising out of such claim, action or
proceeding.
21. The Trust understands that you are required in certain instances
to deduct 31% of the amounts to be paid with respect to interest paid on the
Exchange Capital Securities and proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or
retirement of the Exchange Capital Securities from holders who have not supplied
their correct Taxpayer Identification Number or required certification. You will
remit any such funds to the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with
applicable regulations.
22. You shall notify the Trust of the amount of any transfer taxes
that you have actual knowledge are payable in respect of the exchange of
Original Capital Securities.
23. This Agreement and your appointment as Exchange Agent hereunder
shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such
state, and without regard to conflicts of law principles, and shall inure to the
benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be binding upon, the
successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, and no other person shall
have any rights hereunder.
24. This Agreement may be executed in one 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, canceled 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
or similar writing) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, at its
address or facsimile number set forth below:
If to the Trust: BFOH Capital Trust I
422 Main Street
Zanesville, OH 43701
Facsimile: (740) 455-5705
Attention: Kim M. Taylor
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Wilmington Trust Company
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If to the Exchange Agent: Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Facsimile: (302) 651-1576
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration -
BFOH Exchange Offer
28. Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this Agreement
shall terminate 90 days following the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Paragraphs 19, 20 and 21 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement. Upon any termination of this Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to
the Trust any certificates for Securities, funds or property 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.
BFOH Capital Trust I
By:
----------------------------------
Kim M. Taylor
Administrative Trustee
Accepted as the date first
above written:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, not in its
individual capacity but solely as
Property Trustee, as Exchange Agent
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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SCHEDULE I
FEES
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
CORPORATE TRUST DEPARTMENT
SCHEDULE OF FEES
FOR
BFOH CAPITAL TRUST I
9.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES B
[Wilmington Trust Company to Provide]
10
