As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2015
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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75-3108137
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
(317) 817-6100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Karl W. Kindig, Esq.
Senior Vice President and Secretary
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Tel.: (317) 817-2893
Fax: (317) 817-5948
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:
Roxane F. Reardon
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Tel: (212) 455-2000
Fax: (212) 455-2502
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time on or after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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, please 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. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☑
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer ☑
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Accelerated filer ☐
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Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company ☐
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered
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Amount to be Registered
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Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share
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Maximum Aggregate Offering Price
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Amount of Proposed Registration Fee
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Debt Securities
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
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Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
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Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share(1)
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
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Depositary Shares
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
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Warrants
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
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Purchase Contracts
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
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Units
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(2) |
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(2) |
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(1)
The preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series.
(2)
Omitted pursuant to General Instructions II.E of Form S-3. An indeterminate amount of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units are being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. The securities being registered hereby may be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for other securities of any identified class. In addition to the securities that may be issued directly under this registration statement, there is being registered hereunder such indeterminate aggregate number or amount, as the case may be, of the securities of each identified class as may from time to time be issued upon the conversion, exchange, settlement or exercise of other securities offered hereby. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issued upon the conversion or exercise of, or in exchange for, other securities offered hereby. Securities registered hereby may be offered for U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies.
(3)
Pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of the Registration Fee.
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any of the following securities:
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debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities;
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shares of our common stock;
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shares of our preferred stock;
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depositary shares;
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warrants to purchase our debt, common or preferred equity securities;
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purchase contracts;
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units; or
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any combination of these securities.
In addition, certain selling stockholders may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of our common stock or preferred stock, in each case, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of any such offering.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNO.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on a securities exchange.
This prospectus provides a general description of these securities. We will provide the specific terms of the securities, including the names of any selling stockholders, if applicable, in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell the securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.
Investing in these securities involves risks. See the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities, including the information under “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K (as it may be updated in any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 11, 2015.
Table of Contents
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EXPERTS |
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings from time to time. In addition, certain selling stockholders may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of our common stock or preferred stock, in each case, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of any such offering.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration statement, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the names of any selling stockholders, if applicable, and may also provide you with a free writing prospectus. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. We also include in the prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus where applicable, information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities. Therefore, if there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
The exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we may offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.
We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus filed with the SEC. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
As used in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to:
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“CNO” or the “holding company” refer only to CNO Financial Group, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis. Prior to its name change in May 2010, CNO was formerly known as Conseco, Inc., a Delaware corporation. CNO became the successor to Conseco, Inc., an Indiana corporation (our “Predecessor”), in connection with our bankruptcy reorganization which became effective on September 10, 2003; and
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“CNO Financial Group,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to CNO and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or, when the context requires otherwise, our Predecessor and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
References to “this prospectus” refer to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
CNO files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information can be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC, including CNO. CNO’s common stock is listed and trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “CNO.” These reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the NYSE, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus, filed as a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits, parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities covered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement and to the exhibits. Statements in this prospectus about the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are necessarily not complete and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of such contract, agreement or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, with each such statement being qualified in all respect by reference to the document to which it refers.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
In this prospectus, CNO “incorporates by reference” the information that it files with the SEC, which means that CNO can disclose important information to you by referring you to a document that it filed with the SEC. The information so incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that CNO files later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any information contained in this prospectus updates and, where applicable, supersedes the information in the documents incorporated by reference herein listed below. CNO incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding any Current Reports on Form 8-K containing any disclosure pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 unless otherwise indicated), after the date of this prospectus and until the settlement of the offering(s) to which this prospectus relates:
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (including portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 26, 2015 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our 2014 Form 10-K);
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015; and
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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015, May 6, 2015 (excluding Item 7.01 and related Exhibit 99.1) and May 11, 2015.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
CNO will provide without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents, unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to CNO at Investor Relations, CNO Financial Group, Inc., 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032, phone number (317) 817-2893. You may also obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as of the date hereof at CNO’s website, www.cnoinc.com. All other information contained on or accessible through CNO’s website is not a part of this document.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Our statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “contemplate,” “possible,” “attempt,” “seek,” “should,” “could,” “goal,” “target,” “on track,” “comfortable with,” “optimistic,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should consider statements that contain these words carefully because they describe our expectations, plans, strategies and goals and our beliefs concerning future business conditions, our results of operations, financial position, and our business outlook or they state other “forward-looking” information based on currently available information. The “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, provides examples of risks, uncertainties and events that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements. Assumptions and other important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements include, among other things:
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changes in or sustained low interest rates causing reductions in investment income, the margins of our fixed annuity and life insurance businesses, and sales of, and demand for, our products;
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expectations of lower future investment earnings may cause us to accelerate amortization, write down the balance of insurance acquisition costs or establish additional liabilities for insurance products;
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general economic, market and political conditions, including the performance of the financial markets which may affect the value of our investments as well as our ability to raise capital or refinance existing indebtedness and the cost of doing so;
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the ultimate outcome of lawsuits filed against us and other legal and regulatory proceedings to which we are subject;
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our ability to make anticipated changes to certain non-guaranteed elements of our life insurance products;
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our ability to obtain adequate and timely rate increases on our health products, including our long-term care business;
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the receipt of any required regulatory approvals for dividend and surplus debenture interest payments from our insurance subsidiaries;
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mortality, morbidity, the increased cost and usage of health care services, persistency, the adequacy of our previous reserve estimates and other factors which may affect the profitability of our insurance products;
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changes in our assumptions related to deferred acquisition costs or the present value of future profits;
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the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and the effect of potential ownership changes and tax rate changes on their value;
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our assumption that the positions we take on our tax return filings will not be successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service;
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changes in accounting principles and the interpretation thereof;
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our ability to continue to satisfy the financial ratio and balance requirements and other covenants of our debt agreements;
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our ability to achieve anticipated expense reductions and levels of operational efficiencies including improvements in claims adjudication and continued automation and rationalization of operating systems;
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performance and valuation of our investments, including the impact of realized losses (including other-than-temporary impairment charges);
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our ability to identify products and markets in which we can compete effectively against competitors with greater market share, higher ratings, greater financial resources and stronger brand recognition;
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our ability to generate sufficient liquidity to meet our debt service obligations and other cash needs;
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our ability to maintain effective controls over financial reporting;
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our ability to continue to recruit and retain productive agents and distribution partners;
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customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing initiatives;
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our ability to achieve additional upgrades of our financial strength ratings and our insurance company subsidiaries as well as the impact of our ratings on our business, our ability to access capital, and the cost of capital;
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regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of the financial affairs of our insurance companies, such as the payment of dividends and surplus debenture interest to us, regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of products, and health care regulation affecting health insurance products;
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changes in the U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect or eliminate the relative tax advantages of some of our products or affect the value of our deferred tax assets;
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availability and effectiveness of reinsurance arrangements, as well as any defaults or failure of reinsurers to perform;
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the performance of third party service providers and potential difficulties arising from outsourcing arrangements;
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the growth rate of sales, collected premiums, annuity deposits and assets;
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interruption in telecommunication, information technology or other operational systems or failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data on such systems;
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events of terrorism, cyber-attacks, natural disasters or other catastrophic events, including losses from a disease pandemic;
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ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing risks; and
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the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.
Other factors and assumptions not identified above are also relevant to the forward-looking statements, and if they prove incorrect, could also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statement. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements.
The reporting of risk-based capital (“RBC”) measures is not intended for the purpose of ranking any insurance company or for use in connection with any marketing, advertising or promotional activities.
OUR COMPANY
CNO is a holding company for a group of insurance companies operating throughout the United States that develop, market and administer health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance and other insurance products.
We focus on serving middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans, which we believe are attractive, underserved, high growth markets. We sell our products through three distribution channels: career agents, independent producers (some of whom sell one or more of our product lines exclusively) and direct marketing.
Prior to 2014, we managed our business through the following four operating segments and corporate operations: Bankers Life, Washington National and Colonial Penn, each of which were defined on the basis of product distribution; Other CNO Business, which was comprised primarily of products we no longer sell actively; and corporate operations, which was comprised of holding company activities and certain noninsurance company businesses. As a result of the sale of Conseco Life Insurance Company (“CLIC”) to Wilton Reassurance Company (“Wilton Re”), which was completed on July 1, 2014, and the coinsurance agreements to cede certain long-term care business effective December 31, 2013 (as further described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, incorporated herein by reference), we have changed the manner in which we disaggregate our operations for making operating decisions and assessing performance as follows:
With respect to periods prior to 2014:
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the results of the Washington National segment have been adjusted to include the results of the business in the Other CNO Business segment that were retained;
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the results of the Other CNO Business segment have been adjusted to include only the long-term care business that was ceded effective December 31, 2013 and the overhead expense of CLIC that has continued, and is expected to continue, after the completion of the sale; and
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the CLIC business that was sold was excluded from our analysis of business segment results.
With respect to periods beginning on January 1, 2014:
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the overhead expense of CLIC that has continued, and is expected to continue, after the completion of the sale has been reallocated primarily to the Bankers Life and Washington National segments;
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there is no longer an Other CNO Business segment; and
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the CLIC business that was sold was excluded from our analysis of business segment results.
Additionally, with respect to periods after the completion of the sale of CLIC on July 1, 2014:
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the Bankers Life segment includes the results of certain life insurance business that was recaptured from Wilton Re in connection with the sale of CLIC; and
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the revenues and expenses associated with a transition services agreement and a special support services agreement with Wilton Re are included in our non-operating earnings. Under such agreements, we will receive $30 million in the twelve months ending June 30, 2015 (the first anniversary of the CLIC sale and recapture) and $20 million in the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 (the second anniversary of the CLIC sale and recapture). In addition, certain services will continue to be provided in the three years ending June 30, 2019 for an annual fee of $0.2 million. The income we receive from these services agreements will offset certain of our overhead costs. If we are not successful in reducing our overhead costs to the same extent as the reduction in fees to be received from Wilton Re over the period of the agreements, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
Effective January 1, 2015, we changed our definition of operating income and operating income per diluted share to exclude the impact of fair market value changes related to the agent deferred compensation plan, since such impacts are not indicative of our ongoing business and trends in our business.
Our insurance segments are described below:
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Bankers Life, which markets and distributes Medicare supplement insurance, interest-sensitive life insurance, traditional life insurance, fixed annuities and long-term care insurance products to the middle-income senior market through a dedicated field force of career agents and sales managers supported by a network of community-based sales offices. The Bankers Life segment includes primarily the business of Bankers Life and Casualty Company. Bankers Life also has various distribution and marketing agreements with other insurance companies to use Bankers Life’s career agents to distribute Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan products in exchange for a fee.
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Washington National, which markets and distributes supplemental health (including specified disease, accident and hospital indemnity insurance products) and life insurance to middle-income consumers at home and at the worksite. These products are marketed through Performance Matters Associates of Texas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, and through independent marketing organizations and insurance agencies including worksite marketing. The products being marketed are underwritten by Washington National Insurance Company (“Washington National”). This segment’s business also includes certain closed blocks of annuities and Medicare supplement policies which are no longer being actively marketed by this segment and were primarily issued or acquired by Washington National.
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Colonial Penn, which markets primarily graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance directly to customers in the senior middle-income market through television advertising, direct mail, the internet and telemarketing. The Colonial Penn segment includes primarily the business of Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company.
Our common stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNO.”
CNO is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032, and our telephone number is (317) 817-6100. Our website is www.CNOinc.com. Information on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to uncertainties and risks. Before deciding whether to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings we make with the SEC. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations or prospects could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus. During the periods indicated, we had no outstanding shares of preferred stock, and accordingly, our ratio of earnings to fixed charges is the same as our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends for all periods indicated.
Earnings available for fixed charges consist of pre-tax income from operations and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on corporate debt, interest expense on investment borrowings and borrowings related to variable interest entities, interest added to policyholder account balances and the interest portion of rental expense (which is estimated to be 33% of rental expense).
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Year Ended December 31,
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
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2010
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2011
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2012
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2013
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2014
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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1.52x |
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1.75x |
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1.40x |
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1.87x |
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1.62x |
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2.44x |
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we otherwise state in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, investments in our subsidiaries, possible acquisitions and the repurchase, redemption or retirement of securities, including shares of our common stock. The net proceeds may be temporarily invested or applied to repay short-term or revolving debt prior to use. In the case of a sale of our common stock by any selling stockholders, we will not receive any of the proceeds from such a sale.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities and the material provisions of the indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional terms when we issue debt securities. The terms presented here, together with the terms in a related prospectus supplement, will be a description of the material terms of the debt securities. You should also read the indenture between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under which the debt securities will be issued. We have filed the indenture governing debt securities with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. All capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indenture.
We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will consist of either our senior debt, our senior subordinated debt or our subordinated debt. We refer to the subordinated debt securities and the senior subordinated debt securities together as the subordinated securities. Debt securities, whether senior, senior subordinated or subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities.
For each series of debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement for the series may change and supplement the summary below.
General Terms of the Indenture
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture (see “— Consolidation, Merger or Sale” below), the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us. We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities that we issue will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered debt securities:
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the title of the series of debt securities;
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the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities;
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whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt or subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;
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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the series of debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities;
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whether securities issued by us will be secured or unsecured, and if secured, what the collateral will consist of;
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the maturity date(s);
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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any currency exchange rate, commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
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the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the series of debt securities will be determined (if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a currency exchange rate, commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index);
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the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
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provisions related to redemption or early repayment of the debt securities of our option;
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provisions related to notice of redemption, which such notice may, at our discretion, be subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent (including, but not limited to, the completion of a transaction or an event such as an equity offering, debt offering or change of control of the Company);
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our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase any series of debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
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the authorized denominations;
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the form of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be issued in definitive or fully registered form (and if in fully registered form, whether the debt securities will be issuable, in whole or in part, as global debt securities);
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any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, bid solicitation agents, conversion or exchange agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;
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any changes in the trustee for such debt securities;
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the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;
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any changes in or additions to the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;
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additions to or changes in the Events of Default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;
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the currency of denomination of the debt securities;
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the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such securities will be payable;
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if payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;
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whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the debt securities;
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the extent to which a secondary market for the debt securities is expected to develop;
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additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; and
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any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify, supplement or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series.
The applicable prospectus supplement will discuss certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities, if any, and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are to be listed or quoted, if any.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, including, for example, shares of our equity securities. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
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the conversion or exchange rate and conversion or exchange price;
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the conversion or exchange period;
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provisions regarding the ability of us or the holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;
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events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange rate; and
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provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
We cannot consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, any person, and we cannot permit any other person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless (1) we will be the continuing entity or (2) the successor person is a corporation, trust, limited liability company, partnership or other entity organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia that expressly assumes our obligations under each series of debt securities and the indenture. In addition, we cannot complete such transaction unless immediately after completing the transaction, no Event of Default (as defined below) under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default under the indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing. When the successor person has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, we shall not be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture except in the case of the sale of all of our assets.
This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or sale, lease or transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any modifications of this covenant.
Events of Default
The term “Event of Default,” when used in the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, means any of the following:
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failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;
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failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, upon any repurchase, by declaration or otherwise;
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failure to make sinking fund payments, if any, when due in respect of that series;
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failure to perform other covenants (other than a covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series) for 60 days after notice that performance was required;
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certain events in bankruptcy or insolvency relating to us; or
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any other Event of Default provided in the applicable officers’ certificate, resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue a series of debt securities.
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture.
If an Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, then either the trustee for such series or the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, by notice in writing, may declare the principal amount (or, if the debt securities are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and interest on all of the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series may, after satisfying certain conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving such series.
If an Event of Default relating to certain events in our bankruptcy or insolvency occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount (or, if the debt securities are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the debt securities outstanding, and any accrued interest, will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.
The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:
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the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of such default;
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the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested that the trustee institute the action;
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the requesting holders have offered the trustee indemnity for expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action satisfactory to the trustee;
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the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request; and
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the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series of debt securities.
We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture. In addition, we will be required to notify the trustee in writing within 30 days following knowledge of the occurrence of any such default.
Transfer and Exchange
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary, or a nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the subheading “— Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.
Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary.
We anticipate that the depositary will follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.
Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the related global debt security, which we refer to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the
depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.
So long as the depositary for a global debt security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form representing securities and will not be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
We understand, however, that under existing industry practice, the depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security the persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security for purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the indenture.
We will make payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on book-entry debt securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related global debt security. We, the trustee and any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on a global debt security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the book-entry debt securities of any series represented by one or more global debt securities and, in that event, will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. Global debt securities will also be exchangeable by the holders for certificated debt securities if an Event of Default with respect to the book-entry debt securities represented by those global debt securities has occurred and is continuing. Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.
We have obtained the foregoing information concerning the depositary and the depositary’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.
You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Discharge. The indenture provides that we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series. We will be so discharged if the applicable series of debt securities either has become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year, upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that will provide money in an amount sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption, in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
This defeasance may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and defeasance had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon compliance with certain conditions:
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we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger or Sale” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and
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any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.
The conditions include:
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depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and
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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.
Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.
Modification of the Indenture
The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:
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secure any debt securities (or provide additional collateral) and provide the terms and conditions for the release or substitution of the security (or additional collateral);
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evidence the assumption by a successor person of our obligations;
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make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities or that does not adversely affect the holders’ rights thereunder in any material respect or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us under the indenture;
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provide for addition of guarantees for the benefit of debt securities of any series or add a guarantor or an additional obligor under the indenture;
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add any additional Events of Default;
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cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect in the indenture;
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add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in a manner that will become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the modification would apply;
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provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;
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comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”);
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eliminate any conflict between the terms of the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act;
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provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of securities of any series as permitted;
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evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as is necessary for the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee; and
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conform any provision of the indenture, the securities of any series or any related security documents to the description of such securities contained in the prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar document with respect to the offering of the securities of such series.
The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each series then outstanding and affected add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
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reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
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reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;
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reduce the principal of or premium, if any, on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;
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reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;
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waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
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make the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;
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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or
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waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any debt securities.
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or any interest, if any, on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.
No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors
The indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or director of ours or any successor corporation in their capacity as such shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning our Relationship with the Trustee
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries may maintain ordinary banking and credit relationships with Wilmington Trust, National Association and its affiliates.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 8,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 265,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Of the authorized preferred shares, 2,000,000 are designated as Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”). See “— Preferred Stock” and “— Second Amended Rights Agreement” below.
The following description of our capital stock is a summary. You should keep in mind, however, that it is our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including any certificates of designations that are a part of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and our amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law, and not this summary, which define your rights as a security holder. There may be other provisions in these documents that are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of our capital stock.
Common Stock
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CNO.” American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
In accordance with our Second Amended Rights Agreement (defined below), each of our outstanding shares of common stock has associated with it the right to purchase a one one-thousandth of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock and each share of common stock that we issue prior to the earlier of (i) the date the preferred share purchase rights become exercisable and (ii) the expiration date of the Second Amended Rights Agreement, will be issued with an associated preferred share purchase right. See “— Second Amended Rights Agreement” below.
Dividends. Except as otherwise provided by Delaware law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and subject to all rights and preferences of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of common stock share ratably in all dividends and distributions, whether upon liquidation or dissolution or otherwise.
Voting. Except as otherwise provided by Delaware law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, all of the voting power of our stockholders is vested in the holders of our common stock, and each holder of common stock has one vote for each share held by such holder on all matters voted upon by our stockholders.
Notwithstanding the voting rights granted to holders of common stock and preferred stock in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or in any certificate of designations relating to any preferred stock, the voting rights of any stock held by any holder as of September 10, 2003, the effective date of our predecessor company’s plan of reorganization, are automatically reduced with respect to any particular stockholder vote or action by written consent to the extent, if any, required to avoid a presumption of control arising from the beneficial ownership of voting securities under the insurance statutes or regulations applicable to any of our direct or indirect insurance company subsidiaries, provided that no such reduction reduces such voting rights, without such holder’s written consent:
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by more than the minimum amount required to reduce such voting rights to less than 10% of the aggregate voting rights of all stock entitled to vote or consent with respect to such vote or action, or
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to the extent that such holder’s acquisition of control or deemed acquisition of control of our direct and indirect insurance company subsidiaries has been approved under, or is exempt from the approval requirements of, all insurance statutes and regulations applicable to our direct and indirect insurance company subsidiaries.
Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or any duly authorized certificate of designations of any series of preferred stock, directors are elected in accordance with the procedures and requirements prescribed by our amended and restated
by-laws. Our amended and restated by-laws provide that, except in the case of vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the total number of directors, each director shall be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast (where the number of votes cast “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director) with respect to the directors at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, provided that, if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Other. Our common stock is not convertible into, or exchangeable for, any other class or series of our capital stock. Except as contemplated by our Second Amended Rights Agreement, holders of common stock have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or purchase additional securities of ours. Shares of our common stock are not subject to calls or assessments.
Preferred Stock
Each of our outstanding shares of common stock has associated with it the right to purchase a one one-thousandth of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock and each share of common stock that we issue prior to the earlier of the date such preferred share purchase rights become exercisable and the expiration date of the Second Amended Rights Agreement will be issued with an associated preferred share purchase right. See “— Second Amended Rights Agreement” below.
Second Amended Rights Agreement
On November 13, 2014 CNO entered into a Second Amended and Restated Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2014 with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent (the “Rights Agent”) and on April 22, 2015 CNO and the Rights Agent entered into a first amendment to such rights agreement (as amended, the “Second Amended Rights Agreement”). Our board of directors had previously declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock that was paid to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 30, 2009 pursuant to that certain Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2009 (the “Original Rights Agreement”), which was amended and restated by that certain Amended and Restated Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated December 6, 2011 (the “First Amended Rights Agreement”), each between the Company and the Rights Agent. The following summary of the Second Amended Rights Agreement and the Rights is not complete. You should read the Second Amended Rights Agreement, which is an Exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2014 and the Amendment to the Second Amended Rights Agreement, which is filed as an Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2015, for a full description of its terms.
The Second Amended Rights Agreement is intended to help protect the Company’s tax net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). Our board of directors may redeem the Rights, as discussed more fully below. The Second Amended Rights Agreement is intended to act as a deterrent to any person (other than an Exempted Person (as defined below) or any person who has the status of a Threshold Holder (as defined below) on the date of the Second Amended Rights Agreement so long as such person does not increase its ownership above an additional 1% of Company 382 Securities (as defined below) then outstanding) from becoming or obtaining the right to become, a person who or which, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, is the beneficial owner of 4.99% or more of the shares of our common stock or any other class of Company 382 Securities then outstanding (each such person, a “Threshold Holder”), without the approval of our board of directors.
The Rights. Pursuant to the Second Amended Rights Agreement, each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock of the Company at a price of $70.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock (as the same may be adjusted, the “Purchase Price”). The description and terms of the Rights are as set forth in the Second Amended Rights Agreement.
Until the close of business on the earlier of (i) the tenth business day after the first date of a public announcement that a person (other than an Exempted Person or Grandfathered Person (as defined below)) or group of affiliated or associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) has become a Threshold Holder or
(ii) the tenth business day (or such later date as may be determined by action of our board of directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of commencement of, or the first public announcement of an intention to commence, a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in any person (other than an Exempted Person) becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “Distribution Date”), the Rights will be evidenced by the shares of our common stock represented by the certificates for our common stock or uncertificated book entry shares outstanding as of the record date, together with a copy of the summary of rights disseminated in connection with the original dividend of Rights.
The Second Amended Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier expiration of the Rights), new common stock certificates issued after the record date will contain a notation incorporating the Second Amended Rights Agreement by reference and, with respect to any uncertificated book entry shares issued after the record date, proper notice will be provided that incorporates the Second Amended Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of shares of our common stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of our common stock (or uncertificated book entry shares) outstanding as of the record date, even without a notation incorporating the Second Amended Rights Agreement by reference (or such notice, in the case of uncertificated book entry shares) or a copy of the summary of rights included in connection with the Second Amended Rights Agreements, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the shares of our common stock represented by such certificate or uncertificated book entry shares, as the case may be. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) will be mailed to holders of record of the our common stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
Certain Definitions
“Approved Acquisition” shall mean (i) any acquisition of Company 382 Securities that would cause a person to qualify as a Threshold Holder and that is approved in advance by our board of directors, or (ii) a conversion (or other exchange) of Company 382 Securities for other Company 382 Securities where such conversion (or other exchange) does not increase the beneficial ownership in the Company by any person for purposes of Section 382 (defined below).
“Company 382 Securities” shall mean our common stock and any other interest that would be treated as “stock” of the Company for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(f)(18)) (“Section 382”).
“Exempted Person” shall mean (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, (in the case of subclauses (i) and (ii) including, without limitation, in its fiduciary capacity), (iii) any employee benefit plan or compensation arrangement of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, (iv) any entity or trustee holding (or acting in a fiduciary capacity in respect of) Company 382 Securities to the extent organized, appointed or established by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such employee benefit plan or compensation arrangement, (v) any person (together with its affiliates and associates) whose status as a Threshold Holder will, in the sole judgment of our board of directors, not jeopardize or endanger the availability to the Company of its NOLs to be used to offset its taxable income in such year or future years (but in the case of any person determined by our board of directors to be an Exempted Person pursuant to this subparagraph (v) only for so long as such person’s status as a Threshold Holder continues not to jeopardize or endanger the availability of such NOLs, as determined by our board of directors in its good faith discretion) or (vi) any person who or which would qualify as a Threshold Holder as a result of an Approved Acquisition and, to the extent approved by our board of directors, any person who or which acquires Company 382 Securities from any such person.
“Grandfathered Person” shall mean any person who or which, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, was as of the date of the Second Amended Rights Agreement, the beneficial owner of 4.99% or more of the Company 382 Securities outstanding on such date, unless and until such time as such person after the date of the Second Amended Rights Agreement acquires beneficial ownership of
additional shares or other interests in Company 382 Securities representing more than 1% of the Company 382 Securities then outstanding. Any Grandfathered Person who, together with all of its affiliates and associates, subsequently becomes the beneficial owner of less than 4.99% of the Company 382 Securities shall cease to be a Grandfathered Person.
Exercisability. The Rights will not be exercisable until the Distribution Date.
Transfer. Any transfer of shares of our common stock prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated Rights. After the Distribution Date, the Rights may be transferred other than in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of our common stock.
Expiration. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire at the earlier of (i) the close of business on November 13, 2017, (ii) the repeal of Section 382 or any successor statute if our board of directors determines that the Second Amended Rights Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of tax benefits or (iii) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which our board of directors determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward (the “Final Expiration Date”), subject to (x) the extension of the Second Amended Rights Agreement by our board of directors by the amendment of the Second Amended Rights Agreement or (y) the redemption or exchange of the Rights by the Company, as described below.
Adjustments. The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Series C Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Series C Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Series C Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Series C Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the then current market price of the Series C Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Series C Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in Series C Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).
The Rights are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on our common stock payable in shares of our common stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of our common stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Shares of Series C Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable. Each share of Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of the greater of (a) $1 per share and (b) an amount equal to 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of our common stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1,000 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends) but will be entitled to an aggregate 1,000 times the payment made per share of our common stock. Each share of Series C Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes, voting together with our common stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per share of our common stock. These rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions.
In the event that the quarterly dividends or certain other dividends or distributions payable on the Series C Preferred Stock are in arrears, until such accrued and unpaid dividends or distributions are paid, the company may not redeem, purchase or declare and pay dividends on our common stock or preferred stock on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock.
Because of the nature of the Series C Preferred Stock’s dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a share of Series C Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of our common stock.
Effects of Triggering Events. In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise
of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price, that number of shares of our common stock and/or other securities or property having a market value of two times the Purchase Price.
In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then-current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or its parent), which number of shares at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the Purchase Price.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock or the occurrence of an event described in the prior paragraph, our board of directors may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of our common stock, or a fractional share of Series C Preferred Stock (or of a share of a similar class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having similar rights, preferences and privileges) of equivalent value, per Right (subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Series C Preferred Stock or our common stock will be issued (other than fractions of Series C Preferred Stock which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Series C Preferred Stock or our common stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
Redemption. At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, our board of directors may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date of adoption of the Second Amended Rights Agreement (the “Redemption Price”) payable, at the option of the Company, in cash, shares of our common stock or such other form of consideration as our board of directors shall determine. The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as our board of directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
Amendments. For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Second Amended Rights Agreement in any manner. After the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Second Amended Rights Agreement in any manner that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised or exchanged, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
NOL Protective Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation
On May 8, 2013 our stockholders approved the extension of an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “NOL Protective Amendment”). The NOL Protective Amendment seeks to preserve the value of our NOLs by restricting any direct or indirect transfer if the effect would be to:
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increase the direct or indirect ownership of our stock by any person (or public group) from less than 4.99% to 4.99% or more of our common stock; or
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increase the percentage of our common stock owned directly or indirectly by a person (or public group) owning or deemed to own 4.99% or more of our common stock.
Transfers included under the transfer restrictions include sales to persons whose resulting percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of common stock would exceed the 4.99% thresholds discussed above, or to persons whose direct or indirect ownership of common stock would by attribution cause another person to exceed such threshold. The transfer restrictions include the right to require a proposed transferee, as a condition to registration of a transfer of common stock, to provide all information reasonably requested regarding such person’s direct and indirect ownership of our common stock. The transfer restrictions may result in the delay or refusal of certain requested transfers of our common stock. As a result of these rules, the transfer restrictions could result in prohibiting ownership (thus requiring dispositions) of our common stock as a result of a change in the relationship between two or more persons or entities, or of a transfer of an interest in an entity other than us, such as an interest in an entity that, directly or indirectly, owns our common stock. The transfer restrictions will also apply to proscribe the creation or transfer of certain “options” (which are broadly defined by Section 382) in respect of our common stock to the extent that, in certain circumstances, creation, transfer or exercise of the option would result in a proscribed level of ownership.
To the extent permitted by law, any shareholder who knowingly violates the transfer restrictions will be liable for any and all damages suffered by us as a result of such violation, including damages resulting from a reduction in or elimination of the ability to utilize the NOLs and any professional fees incurred in connection with addressing such violation.
Our board of directors may establish, modify, amend or rescind by-laws, regulations and procedures of CNO for purposes of determining whether any transfer of common stock would jeopardize our ability to preserve and use the NOLs.
The NOL Protective Amendment will expire on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2016, (ii) our board of directors’ determination that the NOL Protective Amendment is no longer necessary for the preservation of the NOLs because of the repeal of Section 382 or any successor statute or (iii) the beginning of a taxable year to which our board of directors determines that no NOLs may be carried forward. The board of directors is also permitted to accelerate the expiration date of the transfer restrictions in the event of a change in the law if it determines in writing that the continuation of the transfer restrictions is no longer reasonably necessary for the preservation of tax benefits.
Additional Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws
In addition to shares of Series C Preferred Stock authorized in connection with our Second Amended Rights Agreement and our NOL Protective Amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing our future takeover or change of control unless the takeover or change of control is approved by our board of directors. These provisions may also render the removal of the current board of directors and of management more difficult. These provisions include:
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advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations; and
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the authority of our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, certain series of preferred stock with such terms as the board of directors may determine.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Insurance Laws
The insurance laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we or our insurance subsidiaries do business may impede or delay a business combination involving us. State insurance holding company laws and regulations applicable to us generally provide that no person may acquire control of a company, and thus indirect control of its insurance subsidiaries, unless the person has provided required information to, and the acquisition is approved or not disapproved by, the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities. Generally, any person acquiring beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting power of our capital stock would be presumed to have acquired control, unless the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities upon advance application determine otherwise.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following description of the depositary shares and the terms of the deposit agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the depositary shares and those portions of the deposit agreement that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our depositary shares. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the deposit agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of depositary shares. There may be other provisions in the deposit agreement that are also important to you. You should read the deposit agreement for a full description of the terms of the depositary shares.
The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such depositary shares will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.
General
We may choose to offer from time to time fractional interests in our debt securities and shares of our common stock or preferred stock. If we do so, we will issue fractional interests in our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fractional interest in a security of a particular series of debt securities, a fraction of a share of common stock, a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.
We will deposit the debt securities, and shares of common stock and preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary, which we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a debt security or share of common stock or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the debt security, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund, repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.
Interest, Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in proportion to the numbers of the depositary shares owned by the applicable holders on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount, however, that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.
If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to it, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this happens, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net sale proceeds to the holders. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights that we offer to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem a debt security, common stock or a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the redemption proceeds received by the depositary. The depositary will mail notice of redemption not less than 15, and not more than 60, days before the date fixed for redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed at their addresses appearing in the depositary’s books. The redemption price for each depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price for each debt security or share of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed series of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. Whenever we redeem debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock held by
the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be considered outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the cash, securities or other property payable upon the redemption and any cash, securities or other property to which the holders of the redeemed depositary shares were entitled upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of any taxes.
Exercise of Rights under the Indentures or Voting the Common Stock or Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from you as holder of fractional interests in debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities represented by that holder’s depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities or to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or directions with respect to your fractional interests in the debt securities or voting shares of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
We may enter into an agreement with the depositary at any time to amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, the holders of a majority of the depositary shares must approve any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares. We or the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement only if (a) all outstanding depositary shares issued under the agreement have been redeemed or (b) a final distribution in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up has been made to the holders of the depositary shares.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to resign, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect when a successor depositary has been appointed and has accepted the appointment. Appointment must occur within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be.
We and the depositary will not be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for our gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if we or the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its
obligations under the deposit agreement. Our and the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the agreement. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, unless a satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, for deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on documents which we and the depositary believe to be genuine.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description of the warrants and terms of the warrant agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the warrants and those portions of the warrant agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our warrants. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a warrantholder. There may be other provisions in the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the warrants.
We may issue warrants to purchase debt or common or preferred equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include, but are not limited to, the following:
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the title of the warrants;
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the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;
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the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;
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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
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the aggregate number of warrants;
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any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;
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the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;
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the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption provisions relating to the warrants;
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the terms of any right we have to accelerate the exercise of the warrants upon the occurrence of certain events;
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if the warrants will be sold with any other securities, and the date, if any, on and after which those warrants and any other securities will be transferable;
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the identity of the warrant agent;
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if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;
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if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;
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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants;
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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;
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the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time; and
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of debt or common or preferred equity securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the debt or common or preferred equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue from time to time purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and obligating us to sell to the holders, debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, or other securities that may be sold under this prospectus at a future date or dates, as the case may be. The consideration payable upon settlement of the purchase contracts, as well as the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities deliverable upon settlement, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by a formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and other securities or obligations issued by us or third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, in each case, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the relevant securities under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts in a specified manner and, in certain circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which the prepaid securities will be issued.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue from time to time units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.
Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
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the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
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any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and
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any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell any series of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units being offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. In addition, certain selling stockholders may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of our common stock or preferred stock, in each case, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of any such offering. The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at fixed prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We may offer and sell securities from time to time to certain of our pension plans. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including the names of any selling stockholders, underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to us and/or the selling stockholders from such sale, any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or paid to dealers or any securities exchange on which such securities may be listed. Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and such underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities, if any are purchased. The maximum compensation to be received by any participating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) member will not be greater than 8% for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).
We may also sell securities upon the exercise of rights that may be distributed to security holders.
Under certain circumstances, we may repurchase offered securities and reoffer them to the public as set forth above. We may also arrange for repurchase and resale of such offered securities by dealers.
We may also offer and sell securities, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms referred to as remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act in connection with the securities they remarket.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as agents for them to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases we must approve such institutions. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that the purchase of the offered securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.
In connection with the offering of securities, we and/or the selling stockholders may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price, with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we and/or the selling stockholders grant any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.
The securities may be a new issue of securities that have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Such securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any securities.
We and/or the selling stockholders may indemnify agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or our agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled to contribution with respect to payments that such parties may be required to make in respect thereof. Our agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any selling stockholders, underwriters, brokers, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement. In case of any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by our counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to CNO Financial Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 11, 2015 and the financial statement schedules and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CNO Financial Group, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered.
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SEC Registration Fee
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(1)
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Rating Agency Fees
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(2)
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Accounting Fees and Expenses
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(2)
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Legal Fees and Expenses
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(2)
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Printing Expenses
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(2)
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Trustee’s Fees and Expenses
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(2)
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Miscellaneous
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(2)
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Total
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(2)
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(1)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the Registration Fee.
(2)
An estimate of the aggregate amount of expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (“CNO”) is incorporated in the State of Delaware. CNO maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures any person who is a director or officer of CNO against any liability incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as a director or officer. Additionally, CNO and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into indemnification agreements with CNO’s directors.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) permits a corporation, in its certificate of incorporation, to eliminate or limit the liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such a provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions), or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Article Nine of CNO’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, except to the extent otherwise provided by the DGCL, CNO’s directors shall not be personally liable to CNO or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in such capacity in another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification of any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or person serving at the request of the
corporation in such capacity in another enterprise) against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit is permitted if such person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; however, no indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery, or the court in which such action or suit was brought, shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Article Nine of CNO’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides generally that CNO will indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of CNO or a wholly owned subsidiary of CNO or, while a director, officer or employee of CNO or a wholly owned subsidiary of CNO, is or was serving at the request of the CNO or a wholly owned subsidiary of CNO as a Director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity or enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan shall be indemnified and held harmless by CNO to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.
Under the DGCL, a Delaware corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the corporation for another enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation has the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the Section 145 of the DGCL. Article V of CNO’s Amended and Restated Bylaws permits CNO to purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of CNO or a wholly owned subsidiary of CNO or was serving at the request of the CNO or a wholly owned subsidiary of CNO as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity or enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not CNO would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to the directors, officers, and controlling persons of the companies listed above pursuant to the following provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits.
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1.1* |
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Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
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4.1 |
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CNO Financial Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 8, 2013. |
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4.2 |
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of CNO Financial Group, Inc. dated as of February 28, 2013, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2013. |
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4.3 |
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Second Amended and Restated Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2014 between CNO Financial Group, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, including the Certificate of Designations for the Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, the Form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014. |
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4.4 |
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Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2015 between CNO Financial Group, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 5, 2015. |
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4.5 |
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Form of Specimen Stock Certificate for Common Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 12, 2010. |
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4.6 |
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Form of Indenture. |
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4.7* |
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Form of Debt Securities. |
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4.8* |
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Form of Specimen Certificate for Preferred Stock and Form of Certificate of Designations for Preferred Stock. |
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4.9* |
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Form of Warrant Agreement. |
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4.10* |
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Form of Warrant Certificate. |
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4.11* |
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Form of Depositary Agreement. |
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4.12* |
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Form of Purchase Contract Agreement. |
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4.13* |
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Form of Pledge Agreement for Purchase Contracts. |
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4.14* |
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Form of Unit Agreement. |
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4.15* |
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Form of Unit Certificate. |
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5.1 |
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Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. |
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12.1 |
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Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
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23.1 |
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Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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23.5 |
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
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24.1 |
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Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages of this registration statement). |
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25.1 |
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility in respect of the Indenture. |
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*
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in 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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act 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 (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in the periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by CNO pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 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) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x), for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or the prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be the seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of CNO’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana, on May 11, 2015.
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CNO Financial Group, Inc. |
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By: |
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/s/ Edward J. Bonach |
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Name: Edward J. Bonach Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John R. Kline and Karl W. Kindig and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents with full and several power of substitution, for him or her and his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, as amended, for the offering to which this registration statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
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.
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Signature
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Capacity
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Dates
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/s/ Edward J. Bonach
Edward J. Bonach
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Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Frederick J. Crawford
Frederick J. Crawford
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ John R. Kline
John R. Kline
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Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Ellyn L. Brown
Ellyn L. Brown
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Robert C. Greving
Robert C. Greving
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Mary R. Henderson
Mary R. Henderson
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Charles J. Jacklin
Charles J. Jacklin
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Daniel R. Maurer
Daniel R. Maurer
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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Signature
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Capacity
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Dates
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/s/ Neal C. Schneider
Neal C. Schneider
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Frederick J. Sievert
Frederick J. Sievert
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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/s/ Michael T. Tokarz
Michael T. Tokarz
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Director |
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May 11, 2015
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Exhibit 4.6
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ]
Wilmington Trust, National Association
as Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
1 |
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Section 1.1 |
Definitions |
1 |
Section 1.2 |
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act |
5 |
Section 1.3 |
Rules of Construction |
5 |
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ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES |
6 |
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Section 2.1 |
Issuable in Series |
6 |
Section 2.2 |
Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities |
6 |
Section 2.3 |
Execution and Authentication |
9 |
Section 2.4 |
Registrar and Paying Agent |
10 |
Section 2.5 |
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust |
10 |
Section 2.6 |
Securityholder Lists |
11 |
Section 2.7 |
Transfer and Exchange |
11 |
Section 2.8 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
12 |
Section 2.9 |
Outstanding Securities |
13 |
Section 2.10 |
Treasury Securities |
13 |
Section 2.11 |
Temporary Securities |
13 |
Section 2.12 |
Cancellation |
14 |
Section 2.13 |
Defaulted Interest |
14 |
Section 2.14 |
Special Record Dates |
14 |
Section 2.15 |
Global Securities |
15 |
Section 2.16 |
CUSIP Numbers |
16 |
Section 2.17 |
Persons Deemed Owners |
16 |
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ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION |
17 |
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Section 3.1 |
Notice to Trustee |
17 |
Section 3.2 |
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed |
17 |
Section 3.3 |
Notice of Redemption |
17 |
Section 3.4 |
Effect of Notice of Redemption |
18 |
Section 3.5 |
Deposit of Redemption Price |
19 |
Section 3.6 |
Securities Redeemed in Part |
19 |
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ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS |
19 |
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Section 4.1 |
Payment of Principal and Interest |
19 |
Section 4.2 |
Additional Amounts |
19 |
Section 4.3 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency |
20 |
Section 4.4 |
[Reserved] |
20 |
Section 4.5 |
Compliance Certificate |
20 |
Section 4.6 |
[Reserved] |
21 |
Section 4.7 |
[Reserved] |
21 |
Section 4.8 |
[Reserved] |
21 |
Section 4.9 |
Calculations |
21 |
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ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS |
21 |
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Section 5.1 |
Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets |
21 |
Section 5.2 |
Successor Person Substituted |
22 |
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ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
22 |
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Section 6.1 |
Events of Default |
22 |
Section 6.2 |
Acceleration |
24 |
Section 6.3 |
Other Remedies |
24 |
Section 6.4 |
Waiver of Past Defaults |
24 |
Section 6.5 |
Control by Majority |
25 |
Section 6.6 |
Limitation on Suits |
25 |
Section 6.7 |
Rights of Holders of Securities to Receive Payment |
26 |
Section 6.8 |
Collection Suit by Trustee |
26 |
Section 6.9 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
26 |
Section 6.10 |
Priorities |
27 |
Section 6.11 |
Undertaking for Costs |
27 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE |
27 |
|
|
|
Section 7.1 |
Duties of Trustee |
27 |
Section 7.2 |
Rights of Trustee |
29 |
Section 7.3 |
Individual Rights of Trustee |
31 |
Section 7.4 |
Trustee’s Disclaimer |
31 |
Section 7.5 |
Notice of Defaults |
31 |
Section 7.6 |
Reports by Trustee to Holders |
31 |
Section 7.7 |
Compensation and Indemnity |
31 |
Section 7.8 |
Replacement of Trustee |
32 |
Section 7.9 |
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. |
33 |
Section 7.10 |
Eligibility; Disqualification |
33 |
Section 7.11 |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company |
34 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
34 |
|
|
|
Section 8.1 |
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
34 |
Section 8.2 |
Legal Defeasance and Discharge |
34 |
Section 8.3 |
Covenant Defeasance |
35 |
Section 8.4 |
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance |
35 |
Section 8.5 |
Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions |
36 |
Section 8.6 |
Repayment to Company |
37 |
Section 8.7 |
Reinstatement |
37 |
|
|
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS |
37 |
Section 9.1 |
Without Consent of Holders |
37 |
Section 9.2 |
With Consent of Holders |
39 |
Section 9.3 |
Limitations |
39 |
Section 9.4 |
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act |
40 |
Section 9.5 |
Revocation and Effect of Consents |
40 |
Section 9.6 |
Notation on or Exchange of Securities |
41 |
Section 9.7 |
Trustee Protected |
41 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE X. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
41 |
|
|
|
Section 10.1 |
Satisfaction and Discharge |
41 |
Section 10.2 |
Application of Trust Money |
42 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS |
43 |
|
|
|
Section 11.1 |
Trust Indenture Act Controls |
43 |
Section 11.2 |
Notices |
43 |
Section 11.3 |
Communication by Holders with Other Holders |
45 |
Section 11.4 |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent |
45 |
Section 11.5 |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion |
45 |
Section 11.6 |
Rules by Trustee and Agents |
45 |
Section 11.7 |
Legal Holidays |
46 |
Section 11.8 |
No Recourse Against Others |
46 |
Section 11.9 |
Counterparts |
46 |
Section 11.10 |
Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury |
46 |
Section 11.11 |
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements |
46 |
Section 11.12 |
Successors |
46 |
Section 11.13 |
Severability |
47 |
Section 11.14 |
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. |
47 |
Section 11.15 |
Securities in a Foreign Currency |
47 |
Section 11.16 |
Multiple Originals |
47 |
Section 11.17 |
Force Majeure |
48 |
Section 11.18 |
U.S.A. Patriot Act |
48 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XII. SINKING FUNDS |
48 |
|
|
|
Section 12.1 |
Applicability of Article |
48 |
Section 12.2 |
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities |
48 |
Section 12.3 |
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund |
49 |
CNO
Financial Group, Inc.
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of
1939 and the Indenture
§ 310(a)(1) |
|
7.10 |
(a)(2) |
|
7.10 |
(a)(3) |
|
Not Applicable |
(a)(4) |
|
Not Applicable |
(a)(5) |
|
7.10 |
(b) |
|
7.10 |
(c) |
|
Not Applicable |
§ 311(a) |
|
7.11 |
(b) |
|
7.11 |
(c) |
|
Not Applicable |
§ 312(a) |
|
2.6 |
(b) |
|
11.3 |
(c) |
|
11.3 |
§ 313(a) |
|
7.6 |
(b)(1) |
|
Not Applicable |
(b)(2) |
|
Not Applicable |
(c)(1) |
|
7.6 |
(c)(2) |
|
7.6 |
(c)(3) |
|
Not Applicable |
(d) |
|
7.6 |
§ 314(a) |
|
4.5 |
(b) |
|
Not Applicable |
(c)(1) |
|
11.4 |
(c)(2) |
|
11.4 |
(c)(3) |
|
Not Applicable |
(d) |
|
Not Applicable |
(e) |
|
11.5 |
(f) |
|
Not Applicable |
§ 315(a) |
|
7.1 |
(b) |
|
7.5 |
(c) |
|
7.1 |
(d) |
|
7.1 |
(e) |
|
6.11 |
§ 316(a) |
|
2.10 |
(a)(1)(A) |
|
6.5 |
(a)(1)(B) |
|
6.4 |
(b) |
|
6.7 |
(c) |
|
2.14, 9.5(d) |
§ 317(a)(1) |
|
6.8 |
(a)(2) |
|
6.9 |
(b) |
|
2.5 |
§ 318(a) |
|
11.1 |
| Note: | This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be part of the Indenture. |
Indenture dated as of [ ] between CNO Financial Group,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (“Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other
party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities (or applicable Series thereof) issued under this Indenture.
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1 Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional
amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company
in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified person means
any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified
person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled
by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
“Bankruptcy Law” has the meaning specified
in Section 6.1.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors
of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant
to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the
Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided
by Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday,
Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or in the city where the Corporate Trust Office is located on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in
the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in
the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however
designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in
the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests;
and
(4) any
other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions
of assets of, the issuing person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether
or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
“Company” means the party named as such above
until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article V hereof and thereafter means the successor.
“Company Order” means a written order signed
in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office
of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified
in Section 8.3.
“Custodian” has the meaning specified in Section
6.1.
“Default” means any event that is, or after
notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities
of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository
for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time
there is more than one such person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the
Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
“Depository Entry” has the meaning specified
in Section 9.5(c).
“Discount Security” means any Security that
provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of
the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
“Dollars” and “$” means the currency
of The United States of America.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and
all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable
for, Capital Stock).
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified
in Section 6.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency
unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.
“GAAP” means, unless otherwise specified with
respect to Securities of a particular Series, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect
as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities”
means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a
Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or
nominee.
“Government Securities” means direct obligations
of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith
and credit.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means
a person in whose name a Security is registered.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended
or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated
hereunder.
“interest” when used with respect to any Discount
Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Issue Date” means with respect to any Series
of Securities the first date such Securities are issued under this Indenture.
“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified
in Section 8.2.
“Legal Holiday” has the meaning specified
in Section 11.7.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any agreement to give any security interest).
“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning
specified in Section 12.1.
“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified
in Section 11.15.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any
Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal
becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for
redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer,
President, any Vice-President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate
signed by an Officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion
of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning
specified in Section 12.1.
“Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in
Section 2.4.
“person” means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
other entity or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“principal” of a Security means the principal
of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
“Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section
2.4.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with
respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant
vice president, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar
to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is
referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility
or be part of the group that has such responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission
or any successor agency.
“Securities” means the debentures, notes or
other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Series” or “Series of Securities”
means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to
any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed
date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any specified person means
any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof
is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person
or a combination thereof.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture except as provided in Section 9.4; provided,
however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required
by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee”
in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions
of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time
there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee
with respect to Securities of that Series.
Section 1.2 Incorporation
by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA,
the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture
have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional
trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means
the Company or any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined
by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are
used herein as so defined.
Section 1.3 Rules
of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a
term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an
accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) “or”
is not exclusive;
(d) “will”
shall be interpreted to express a command;
(e) words
in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(f) provisions
apply to successive events and transactions; and
(g) references
to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules
adopted by the SEC from time to time.
ARTICLE II.
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.1 Issuable
in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may
be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities
of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s
Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case
of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture
detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by
which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined.
Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably
entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
Section 2.2 Establishment
of Terms of Series of Securities.
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a
Series, the following shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided
in a Board Resolution or in a supplemental indenture or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a
Board Resolution:
(a) the
title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
(b) the
price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
(c) any
limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities
of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);
(d) whether
the Securities rank as senior Securities, senior subordinated Securities or subordinated Securities or any combination thereof
and the terms of any such subordination;
(e) the
terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Securities of the series shall be exchanged for or converted into other securities
of the Company or securities of another person;
(f)
the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;
(g) the
date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(h) the
rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including,
but not limited to, any currency exchange rate, commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the
Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, or the
method for determining the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall
commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
(i) the
manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will
be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to
a currency exchange rate, commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;
(j) if
other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the
Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where
notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the
method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(k) if
applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities
of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(l) the
obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms
and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(m) if
other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the
Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(n) the
forms of the Securities of the Series in fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities of the
Series shall be issued in whole or in
part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, and the terms
and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual
Securities);
(o) any
depositories, interest rate calculation agents, bid solicitation agents, conversion or exchange agents, exchange rate calculation
agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;
(p) the
Trustee for the series of Securities, if other than the Trustee named on the first page hereof or its successors;
(q) if
other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
(r) any
addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;
(s) any
addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the
Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section
6.2;
(t) if
other than Dollars, the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be any Foreign Currency, and if such
currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite
currency;
(u) if
other than Dollars, the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and interest,
if any, on the Securities of the Series will be made;
(v) if
payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency
units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to
such payments will be determined;
(w) the
securities exchange(s) on which the Securities of the Series will be listed, if any;
(x) additions
or deletions to or changes in the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
(y) additions
or deletions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture;
(z) additions
or deletions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the Indenture both with and without the consent of
holders of Securities of the Series issued under the Indenture; and
(aa) any
other terms of the Securities of the Series (which terms may modify, supplement or delete any provision of this Indenture with
respect to such Series; provided, however, that no such term may modify or delete any provision hereof if imposed by the TIA; and
provided, further, that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee hereunder shall have been
consented to in writing by the Trustee).
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at
the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to
the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal
amount of any Series may be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided
in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate.
Section 2.3 Execution
and Authentication.
One Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company
by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer
holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security
has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time,
authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto
or Officer’s Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication
unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series
outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution,
supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.9.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the
Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental
indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within
that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officer’s Certificate
complying with Section 11.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 11.4.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate
and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be
taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee
of directors and/or vice-presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders
of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable
to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.
Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent
has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.4 Registrar
and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series
of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where
Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”) and where Securities of such
Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”).
The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each
Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name
and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar or Paying Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required Registrar or Paying Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company
hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or
more co-registrars or additional paying agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no
such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar and Paying Agent
in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar
or additional paying agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent”
includes any additional paying agent.
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar
and Paying Agent for each Series unless another Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities
of that Series are first issued.
Section 2.5 Paying
Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than
the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities,
or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of
or interest on the Series of Securities, and will promptly notify the Trustee
of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent
to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the
Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have
no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and
hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.
Section 2.6 Securityholder
Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities
and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish, or shall cause
the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date, but in any event at least once every
six months, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
Section 2.7 Transfer
and Exchange.
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar
or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the
same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.
To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate Securities
at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise
expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental
charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges
pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration
of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing.
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required
(a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business
fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series
selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called
or being called for redemption in part.
The Trustee shall authenticate any Securities in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2.3.
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor,
determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with
respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation
or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine
the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.8 Mutilated,
Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee,
the Company shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate and make available for delivery
in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee
(a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may
be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company
or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of a
Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security,
a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security,
pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section,
the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this
Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the
Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled
to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued
hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.9 Outstanding
Securities.
Subject to Section 2.10, the Securities outstanding at
any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation,
those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those
described in this Section as not outstanding.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it
ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide
purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary
of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the date of Maturity of Securities of a Series
or on any day thereafter (in the case money is deposited by the Company following the date of Maturity) money sufficient to pay
such Securities payable on such date of Maturity or on any such later date, as the case may be, then on and after such date of
Maturity or such later date, as the case may be, such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases
to accrue.
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal
amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder,
the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the
principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
Section 2.10 Treasury
Securities.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal
amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities
of a Series owned by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Upon request
of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes,
if any known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, and
the Trustee shall be entitled to accept and rely upon such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein
set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any determination.
Section 2.11 Temporary
Securities.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon receipt of a Company Order. Temporary
Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but
may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall
prepare and, the Trustee, upon, receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date
of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this
Indenture as the definitive Securities.
Section 2.12 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the
Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for
registration of transfer, exchange, replacement or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange,
payment, replacement or cancellation and deliver such canceled Securities to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs;
provided that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy such Securities. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace
Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.13 Defaulted
Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a
Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted
interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix such
special record date and the related payment date. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall mail to the
Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states such special record date, the related payment date and the
amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
Section 2.14 Special
Record Dates.
(a) The
Company may, but shall not be obligated to, set a record date for the purpose of determining the identity of Holders entitled to
consent to any supplement, amendment or waiver permitted by this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, the Holders of such Series
and Securities outstanding on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to consent to such supplement, amendment
or waiver or revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No consent
shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of
such Series and Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked
within such 90-day period.
(b) The
Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of any Series
of Securities entitled to join in the giving or making of any notice of Default, any declaration of acceleration, any request to
institute proceedings or any other similar direction. If a record date is fixed, the Holders of such Series and Securities outstanding
on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether
or not such Holders remain Holders
after such record date; provided, however, that no such action shall be
effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the date 90 days after such record date.
(c) To
the extent reasonably practicable, the Company shall give the Trustee a 15-day advance written notice of any special record date
set in accordance with this Section 2.14.
Section 2.15 Global
Securities.
(a) Terms
of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate shall establish whether
the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository
for such Global Security or Securities.
(b) Transfer
and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto,
any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders
other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling
or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered
under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency
under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate
to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable (subject to the procedures of the Depository) or (iii) an Event
of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global
Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names
as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security
with like tenor and terms.
Except as provided in this Section 2.15(b), a Global Security
may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository,
by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee
to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
(c) Legend.
Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), New York, New York, to the issuer or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede &
Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or
such other entity as may be 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 inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co. has an interest
herein.”
“Transfer of this Global Security shall be limited
to transfers in whole, but not in part, to DTC, to nominees of DTC or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee
and limited to transfers made in accordance with the restrictions set forth in the Indenture referred to herein.”
(d) Acts
of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the
Indenture.
(e) Payments.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the
principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.
(f) Consents,
Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.15(e), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person
as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified
in a written statement of the Depository with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations,
waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 2.16 CUSIP
Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP”
and/or other similar security identifying numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP”
numbers (and/or any such other security identifying numbers) in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that
any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities
or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed
on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall
promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
Section 2.17 Persons
Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration
of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the person in whose name such Security
is registered in the register kept by the Registrar as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal
of and (subject to the record date provisions thereof) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Security and
for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company,
the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security
held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depository
may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for
all purposes whatsoever. None of the
Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar will have any responsibility
or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global
Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION
Section 3.1 Notice
to Trustee.
The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities,
reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any
part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series
of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of
the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee, in writing, of the redemption date
and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days before the
redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).
Section 3.2 Selection
of Securities to be Redeemed.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by
a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are
to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of such Series for redemption in compliance with the requirements of the
Depositary, or if the Securities of such Series are not held through the Depositary or the Depositary prescribes no method of selection,
on a pro rata basis or by lot, subject to adjustments so that no Security in an unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after
such redemption or purchase; provided, however, that no Security of $2,000 in aggregate principal amount of less shall be redeemed
in part.
In the event of partial redemption, the Trustee shall
make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption
a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such Series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount
of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such
Security. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities
of that Series called for redemption.
Section 3.3 Notice
of Redemption.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by
Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days
before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are
to be redeemed, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued
in connection with a defeasance of the Series of Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles
VIII or XI hereof.
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series
to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the
redemption date;
(b) the
redemption price (or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof);
(c) the
name and address of the Paying Agent;
(d) that
Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(e) that
interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(f) the
CUSIP number, and that no representation is made as to the accuracy or correctness of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such
notice or printed on the Securities; and
(g) any
other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give
the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided that the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee, at least five Business Days (or such shorter period as the Trustee may agree) before notice of redemption is required
to be sent or caused to be sent to Holder pursuant to this Section 3.3 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee),
an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such
notice as provided in this Section 3.3.
Section 3.4 Effect
of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided
in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption
price specified in such notice.
Notice of any redemption, whether in connection with an
equity offering, other transaction or otherwise, may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice
may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion
of a transaction or an event such as an equity offering, debt offering or change of control of the Company. In addition, if such
redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Company’s
discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption
may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the
redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment
of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations
with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall
be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date; provided that, unless otherwise specified
with respect to such Securities pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to
the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities (or one or more predecessor Securities) registered at the
close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.
Section 3.5 Deposit
of Redemption Price.
By no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the
redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or a Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
Section 3.6 Securities
Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part,
the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount
to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE IV.
COVENANTS
Section 4.1 Payment
of Principal and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the
Holders of each Series of Securities that it will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on,
the Securities of that Series on the dates and in the manner provided in such Securities. Principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest on any Series of Securities will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or
a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available
funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the
Holders of each Series of Securities that it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy
Law) on overdue principal with respect to such Securities at the rate specified therefor in the Securities; it will pay interest
(including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard
to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.2 Additional
Amounts.
If any Securities of a Series provide for the payment
of Additional Amounts, the Company agrees to pay to the Holder of any such Security Additional Amounts as provided in or pursuant
to this Indenture or such Securities. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in
any context, the payment of the principal of or interest on, or in respect
of, any Security of any Series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by
the terms of such Series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were
or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable)
in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention
is not made.
Section 4.3 Maintenance
of Office or Agency.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the
Holders of each Series of Securities that it will maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee for such
Securities or an Affiliate of such Trustee, Registrar for such Securities or co-registrar) where such Securities may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may
be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee for such Securities of the location, and any change in the
location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to
furnish such Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
Corporate Trust Office of such Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or
more other offices or agencies where Holders of a Series of Securities may present or surrender such Securities for any or all
such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee for
such Series of Securities of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
With respect to each Series of Securities, the Company
hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee for such Securities as one such office or agency of the Company in
accordance with Section 2.4 hereof.
Section 4.4 [Reserved]
Section 4.5 Compliance
Certificate.
(a) The
Company shall deliver to the Trustee with respect to such Series, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending December
31, an Officer’s Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal
accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year
has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed
and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that
to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in
this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture
(or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have
knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event
has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Series
of Securities is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) So
long as any Series of Securities is outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee with respect to such Series, within 30
days following any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default
or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.6 [Reserved]
Section 4.7 [Reserved]
Section 4.8 [Reserved]
Section 4.9 Calculations.
The Company shall be responsible for making all calculations
and determinations called for under the Securities. These calculations and determinations include, but are not limited to, accrued
interest payable on the Securities and any applicable premium. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and,
absent manifest error, the Company’s calculations shall be final and binding on the Holders. Upon written request, the Company
shall provide a schedule of their calculations to the Trustee. The Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of
the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations to
any Holder upon the written request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company.
ARTICLE V.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.1 Merger,
Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the
Holders of each Series of Securities that it shall not, directly or indirectly: (a) consolidate or merge with or into another person
(whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) or (b) sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another person,
and the Company shall not permit any other person to consolidate with or merger into it, unless:
(i) (A)
the Company shall be the continuing entity or (B) the successor person shall be a corporation, trust, limited liability company,
partnership or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District
of Columbia that expressly assumes, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations
of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture and, for each Security that by its terms provides for conversion, shall
have provided for the right to convert such Security in accordance with its terms;
(ii) immediately
after such transaction, no Event of Default exists and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event
of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) the
Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger, sale, lease, transfer or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction,
such supplemental indenture comply with this Article V and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction
have been complied with.
This Section 5.1 will not apply to:
(1) a
merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction; or
(2) any
consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the
Company and its Subsidiaries.
Section 5.2 Successor
Person Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and
that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.1 hereof, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into or with which
the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted
for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer or other disposition, the provisions
of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor person and not to the Company), and
may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person had been
named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the
principal of and interest on any Series of Securities except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction
that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.1 hereof.
ARTICLE VI.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.1 Events
of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with
respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental
indenture or Officer’s Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(a) default
in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default
for a period of 30 days; or
(b) default
in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Security of that Series; or
(c) default
in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or
(d) default
in the performance of any other covenant of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant that has been included in this
Indenture solely for the benefit of any Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for the period
and after the notice specified below; or
(e) the
Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences
a voluntary case,
(ii) consents
to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents
to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(iv) makes
a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(v) generally
is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
(f) a
court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is
for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,
(ii) appoints
a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(iii) orders
the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
(g) any
other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental
indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11,
U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee,
assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clause (d) above is not an Event of Default
with respect to a particular Series of Securities until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of more than 50% in principal
amount of the then outstanding Securities of that Series notify the Company and the Trustee of the Default, and the Company does
not cure the Default within 60
days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand
that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.” Such notice shall be given by the Trustee if
so requested in writing by the Holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that Series.
Section 6.2 Acceleration.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any
Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(e) or (f)) then
in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series
may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount
as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that
Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon
any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately
due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount)
of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due
and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with
respect to any Series has been made, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series,
by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if the rescission
would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest
or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default
or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.3 Other
Remedies.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any
Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of
principal of and, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of such Securities
or this Indenture.
The Trustee for such Securities may maintain a proceeding
even if it does not possess any of such Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the
Trustee or any Holder of Securities in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right
or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted
by law.
Section 6.4 Waiver
of Past Defaults.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee for such Securities may on behalf of
the Holders of all of such Securities waive an existing Default or Event
of Default with respect to such Securities and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such Securities or in respect of a covenant or provision hereof
which under Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the Series
affected; provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of
any Series may rescind an acceleration of such Securities and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted
from such acceleration, in accordance with Section 6.2. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.5 Control
by Majority.
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the then outstanding Securities of any Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising
any remedy available to the Trustee for such Securities or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee
for any Series of Securities may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that such Trustee determines
may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of such Securities or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.6 Limitation
on Suits.
A Holder of any Series of Securities may pursue a remedy
with respect to this Indenture or such Securities only if:
(a) such
Holder gives to the Trustee for such Securities written notice that an Event of Default with respect to such Series is continuing;
(b) Holders
of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series make a written request to the
Trustee for such Securities to pursue the remedy;
(c) such
Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee for such Securities security or indemnity for any, loss, expense
or liability that may be incurred by bringing the action satisfactory to such Trustee;
(d) such
Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of the request; and
(e) Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series do not give such Trustee a direction
inconsistent with such request.
A Holder of any Series of Securities may not use this
Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of such Series of Securities or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Holder of Securities of such Series.
Section 6.7 Rights
of Holders of Securities to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture,
the right of any Holder of a Security of any Series to receive payment of principal of and, premium, if any, and interest on such
Securities, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities (including, if applicable, in connection with an
offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired
or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.8 Collection
Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(a), (b)
or (c) hereof with respect to Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee for such Securities is authorized
to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of
and, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, such Securities and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful,
overdue interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.9 Trustee
May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee for each Series of Securities is authorized
to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of such
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents
and counsel) and the Holders of the Securities for which it acts as trustee allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the
Company (or any other obligor upon such Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect,
receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of such Securities to make such payments to such Trustee, and in the event that
such Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Holders, to pay to such Trustee any amount due to it
for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts
due such Trustee under the Indenture. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
of such Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due such Trustee out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall
be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions,
dividends, money, securities and other properties that such Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation
or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize such Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder for which it acts as trustee any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of such Holder, or to
authorize such Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any such Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities.
If the Trustee of any Series of Securities collects any
money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys
for amounts due under the Indenture, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances
made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of such Securities for amounts
due and unpaid on such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any
kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium, if any and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court
of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
Subject to Section 2.14 hereof, the Trustee may fix a
record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11 Undertaking
for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy
under this Indenture or in any suit against any Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a trustee, a court in its discretion
may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion
may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard
to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by
the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Security pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any Series.
ARTICLE VII.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.1 Duties
of Trustee.
(a) Subject
to Section 7.2(h), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested
in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under
the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs; provided that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing,
the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction
of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered the Trustee indemnity, security or prefunding satisfactory to the Trustee
in its sole discretion, as applicable, against loss, liability or expense.
(b) Except
during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) The
Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.
(ii) In
the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness
of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming
to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which
by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officer’s
Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not
confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts contained therein).
(c) The
Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct,
except that:
(i) This
paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
(ii) The
Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a final
and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(iii) The
Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities
of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee,
or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(d) Every
provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section.
(e) The
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security, prefunding or indemnity satisfactory to it
against the costs, expenses (including reasonably attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by
it in compliance with such request or direction.
(f) The
Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No
provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance
of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that
repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) The
Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care
as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.
(i) The
Company shall provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change to its fiscal year.
Section 7.2 Rights
of Trustee.
(a) The
Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond or any other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before
the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee
shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion
of Counsel.
(c) The
Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or
attorney appointed with due care. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible
for any act or omission by any Depository.
(d) The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within
its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct as determined
in a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) The
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to
it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(f) The
Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and
in reliance thereon.
(g) The
Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into any statement, warranty or representation, or 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 made or
in connection with this Indenture; moreover, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into (i) the performance
or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or (ii) the occurrence of any default,
or the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Indenture or any other agreement, instrument or document
in connection herewith, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters
as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine
the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability
of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(h) The
Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of any event which is in fact
such a default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice
references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.
(i) The
Trustee shall not be required to provide any bond or surety with respect to the execution of these trusts and powers.
(j) In
no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever
(including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such
loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(k) The
rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified,
are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other
Person employed to act hereunder;
(l) In
no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising
out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages,
accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions,
loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee
shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon
as practicable under the circumstances.
(m) The
Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized
at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this indenture.
(n) The
permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.
Section 7.3 Individual
Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may
become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same
rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections
7.10 and 7.11. In addition, the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Company; provided, however, that
if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest the Trustee must (i) eliminate such conflict within 90 days of acquiring such
conflicting interest, (ii) apply to the SEC for permission to continue acting as Trustee or (iii) resign.
Section 7.4 Trustee’s
Disclaimer.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity
or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the
Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture, in the Securities or in any document
issued in connection with the sale of the Securities other than its authentication of such Securities.
Section 7.5 Notice
of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing
with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee (as provided in Section
7.2(h) hereof), the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series in the manner provided by in TIA
§ 313(c), notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event
of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so
long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
Section 7.6 Reports
by Trustee to Holders.
Within 60 days after May 15 in each year following the
issuance of a Series of Securities under this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names
and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the
extent required under, TIA § 313(a).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders
of any Series shall be filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed,
if any. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.7 Compensation
and Indemnity.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time
such compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation
shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation
and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee, any predecessor
Trustee and each of their officers, directors, employees, counsel and agents (including the cost of defending itself or themselves)
against any loss, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of
the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as
Trustee or Agent and in connection with its acceptance of the trust under this Indenture. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company
of its obligations hereunder unless the Company is prejudiced or forfeits rights or defenses by such failure to be notified. The
Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees,
shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify
against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee
through negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and un-appealable decision.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this
Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the
Trustee pursuant to Section 8.4, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after
an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended
to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination
of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Section 7.8 Replacement
of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment
of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in
this Section.
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities
of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying
the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
(a) the
Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b) the
Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy
Law;
(c) a
Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed with respect to the
Securities of a Series or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred
to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
Series. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Securities of such Series may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such Series to replace the successor
Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee,
the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance
of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all
property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall send
a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this
Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with
respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.
Section 7.9 Successor
Trustee by Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into,
or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without
any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility;
Disqualification.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies
the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1) and (2) and does not violate the prohibitions in TIA § 310(a)(5). The Trustee shall
always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b).
Section 7.11 Preferential
Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding
any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §
311(a) to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE VIII.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.1 Option
to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may at any time elect to have either Section
8.2 or 8.3 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in
this Article VIII.
Section 8.2 Legal
Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof
of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section
8.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of such Series on
the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance
means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities
of such Series, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and
the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations
under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee for such Securities, on demand of and at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise
terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a) the
rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such Series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium,
if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.4 hereof;
(b) the
Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Article II hereof;
(c) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee for such Securities hereunder and the Company’s obligations
in connection therewith; and
(d) this
Article VIII.
Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Company
may exercise its option under this Section 8.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.3 hereof.
Section 8.3 Covenant
Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof
of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section
8.4 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.3 and 4.5, Section 5.1, and covenants
specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with Section
2.2, with respect to the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section
8.4 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding”
for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders of such Securities (and the consequences of
any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes
hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose,
Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such Series, the Company may omit to comply with
and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or
indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant
to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of
Default under Section 6.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities will be unaffected
thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3,
subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, Sections 6.1(d) or 6.1(g) hereof will not constitute
Events of Default.
Section 8.4 Conditions
to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance under either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof with respect to Securities of any Series:
(a) the
Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee for such Securities, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities,
cash in Dollars, non-callable Government Securities (or, in the case of Securities denominated in a single currency other than
U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations), or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion
of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of,
and premium, if any, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the outstanding Securities of such
Series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify
whether such Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
(b) in
the case of an election under Section 8.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee for such Securities an Opinion of Counsel
confirming that:
(1) the
Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(2) since
the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law,
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such
Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of the outstanding Securities of such Series will
not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and
will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(c) in
the case of an election under Section 8.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee for such Securities an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that the Holders and beneficial owners of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to United States
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(d) no
Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other
than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which
the Company is bound;
(e) such
Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material
agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;
(f) the
Company must deliver to the Trustee for such Securities an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by
the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent
of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and
(g) the
Company must deliver to the Trustee for such Securities an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating
that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 8.5 Deposited
Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to Section 8.6 hereof, all money and non-callable
Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for
purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof in respect of the outstanding Securities
of any Series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture,
to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine,
to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest,
but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against
any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to
Section 8.4 hereof 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 the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to the contrary,
the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government
Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal
firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may
be the opinion delivered under Section 8.4 hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited
to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.6 Repayment
to Company.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent,
or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Series of Securities
and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid
to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holders of such Securities
will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent
with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease.
Section 8.7 Reinstatement.
If, in connection with a Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance, the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any Dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with
Section 8.5, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the applicable Securities will be revived and reinstated
as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted
to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.5; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal
of or interest on any such Securities following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.1 Without
Consent of Holders.
Notwithstanding Section 9.2 of this Indenture, the Company
and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:
(a) to
cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect hereunder;
(b) to
provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(c) to
evidence the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Securities by a successor to the Company pursuant
to Article V hereof;
(d) to
add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any Series of Securities outstanding hereunder;
(e) to
provide for addition of guarantees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of any series or to add a guarantor or obligor
under this Indenture;
(f) to
secure the Securities (or provide additional collateral) pursuant to the requirements of any covenant on liens in respect of such
Series of Securities or otherwise and provide the terms and conditions for the release or substitution of the Security (or additional
collateral);
(g) to
add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in any manner that will become effective only when there is
no outstanding Security which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the modification would apply;
(h) to
make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Securities or that does not adversely
affect the Holders’ rights hereunder in any material respect or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company
hereunder;
(i) to
comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(j) to
provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted;
(k) to
eliminate any conflict between the terms of this Indenture and the TIA;
(l) to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or
more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or
(m) to
conform any provision of this Indenture, the Securities of any Series or any related security documents to the description of such
Securities contained in the Company’s prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar document with respect
to the offering of the Securities of such Series.
Upon the request of the Company and upon receipt by the
Trustee of the documents described in Section 11.4 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the
execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted
by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but
the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities
under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.2 With
Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental
indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each
Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer
for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of
the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders
of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.4, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of each Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer
for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with
respect to such Series.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders
of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. Upon the request of the Company and upon the filing with the Trustee
of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee
of the documents described in Section 11.4 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental
indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended
or supplemental Indenture.
After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section
becomes effective, the Company shall promptly mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the
supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
Section 9.3 Limitations.
Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an
amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce
the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce
the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;
(c) reduce
the principal of or premium, if any, on or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the
date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(d) reduce
the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(e) waive
a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration
of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such
Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(f) make
the principal or premium, if any, of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the
Security;
(g) make
any change in Sections 6.4, 6.7 or 9.3; or
(h) waive
a redemption payment with respect to any Security or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any Security.
Section 9.4 Compliance
with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the
Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then
in effect.
Section 9.5 Revocation
and Effect of Consents.
(a) Until
an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the
Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s
Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder subject to
Section 9.5(d) may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation
before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.
(b) An
amendment, supplement or waiver effective in accordance with its terms will thereafter bind every Holder.
(c) For
purposes of this Indenture, the consent of the Holder of a Global Security shall be deemed to include any consent delivered by
any member of, or participant in, any Depository, any nominees thereof and their respective successors and assigns, or such other
depository institution hereinafter appointed by the Company (“Depository Entity”) by electronic means in accordance
with the Automated Tender Offer Procedures system or other customary procedures of, and pursuant to authorization by, such Depository
Entity.
(d) The
Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to
any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding
paragraph, those persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall
be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date. The Company shall inform the Trustee
of the fixed record date, if applicable.
(e) Any
amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it
is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each
Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences
the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
Section 9.6 Notation
on or Exchange of Securities.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an
amendment, supplement or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities
of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate new Securities of that Series that
reflect the amendment or waiver.
Section 9.7 Trustee
Protected.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created
by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article IX or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture,
the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated
to, enter into any supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise.
ARTICLE X.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 10.1 Satisfaction
and Discharge.
This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be
of further effect as to a Series of Securities issued hereunder, when:
(a) either:
(i) all
such Securities that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities that have been replaced or paid and Securities
for whose payment
money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid
to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all
such Securities that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing
of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited
or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash
in Dollars, non-callable Government Securities (or, in the case of Securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S.
dollars, foreign government obligations), or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration
of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
(b) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default
resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;
(c) the
Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and
(d) the
Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee for such Securities under this Indenture to apply the deposited money
toward the payment of such Securities at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee for such Securities stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have
been satisfied, and all fees and expenses of the Trustee shall have been paid.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section 10.1, the provisions
of Sections 10.2 and 8.6 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 10.1 will be deemed to discharge those provisions
of Section 7.7 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
Section 10.2 Application
of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.6 hereof, all money
or Government Securities deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in
accordance with the provisions of the Securities with respect to with such deposit was made and this Indenture, to the payment,
either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as such Trustee may determine,
to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited
with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any
money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 10.1 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order
or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s
obligations under this Indenture and the applicable Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest
on, any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders
of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 Trust
Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies,
or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed
provision shall control.
Section 11.2 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee
to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and (a) delivered in person, (b) mailed
by first-class mail or overnight mail, (c) sent by overnight air courier with next Business Day delivery or (d) delivered electronically
(in .pdf or similar format) if, in case of electronic notices, receipt is confirmed:
if to the Company:
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Attention: Karl W. Kindig
Facsimile No.: (317) 817-5948
With a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Facsimile No.: (212) 455-2502
Attention: Roxane Reardon
if to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
Corporate Capital Markets
50 South Sixth Street/ Suite 1290
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention: CNO Financial Administrator
Facsimile: (612) 217-5651
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Winston & Strawn LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166-4193
Attention: Bart Pisella & Timothy Kober
Facsimile: (212) 294-4700
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner,
such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such
waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall
not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
All notices and communications (other than those sent
to Holders) will 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; the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent
by overnight air courier for next Business Day delivery; and when receipt is confirmed, if delivered electronically.
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall
be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar, unless otherwise provided with respect
to the applicable Series. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall
not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service
or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made
with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
If a notice or communication is mailed or published in
the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders,
it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Where the Indenture provides for notice of any event to
a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Global Security (or
its designee), pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository, not later than
the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest
date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice.
Section 11.3 Communication
by Holders with Other Holders.
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant
to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture
or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection
of TIA § 312(c).
Section 11.4 Certificate
and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the
Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an
Officer’s 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
(b) an
Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 11.5 Statements
Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance
with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof and
TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a
statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) 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;
(c) 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
(d) a
statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 11.6 Rules
by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or
a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its
functions.
Section 11.7 Legal
Holidays.
Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officer’s
Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business
Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that
is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 11.8 No
Recourse Against Others.
No past, present or future director, officer, stockholder
or employee, as such, of the Company or any successor corporation shall have any liability for any obligation of the Company under
the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each
Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for
the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
Section 11.9 Counterparts.
This Indenture 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.
Section 11.10 Governing
Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY,
THE TRUSTEE and each Holder by accepting
a Security IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.
Section 11.11 No
Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other
indenture, loan or debt or other agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other person. Any such indenture, loan
or debt or other agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 11.12 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the
Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 11.13 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities
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.
Section 11.14 Table
of Contents, Headings, Etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, 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 11.15 Securities
in a Foreign Currency.
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental
indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular
Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage
in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding
and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars,
then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such
action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes
of this Section 11.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers
of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason
with respect to such currency, the Company shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation
of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The
City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate.
The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series
denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
of this Indenture.
All decisions and determinations of the Company regarding
the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion
and shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding
upon all Holders.
Section 11.16 Multiple
Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.
Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove
this Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or “pdf” transmission
shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original
Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.
Section 11.17 Force
Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable
for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces
beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military
disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications
or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable best efforts that are consistent
with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 11.18 U.S.A.
Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with
Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism
and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes
a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this agreement agree that they will provide the Trustee with
such information as it may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.
ARTICLE XII.
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1 Applicability
of Article.
The provisions of this Article XII shall be applicable
to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of
Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided
for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any
other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”
If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction
as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided
for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.
Section 12.2 Satisfaction
of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of
any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (a) deliver
outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously
called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (b) apply as a credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment
is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the
terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional
sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that
such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall
be received by the Trustee, together with an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to
the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose
by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of
such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash
payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the
aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except
upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent
and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time
to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such
Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid
principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
Section 12.3 Redemption
of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the
Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior
to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate
specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series,
the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied
by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added
in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein
specified. Not less than 15 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental
indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select
the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice
having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4,
3.5 and 3.6.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
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CNO Financial Group, Inc. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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[Trustee Signature Follows] |
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Wilmington Trust, National
Association, not in its individual capacity but
solely as Trustee |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Exhibit 5.1
Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett llp
425
Lexington Avenue
New
York, NY 10017-3954
(212)
455-2000
_____
Facsimile
(212) 455-2502
May 11, 2015
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted
as counsel to CNO Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to (i) shares
of common stock of the Company par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) shares of preferred stock
of the Company par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) debt securities, which may be either senior
(“Senior Debt Securities”), senior subordinated (the “Senior Subordinated Debt Securities”) or subordinated
(together with the Senior Debt Securities and the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”); (iv)
warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (the “Securities Warrants”); (v) depositary shares
(the “Depositary Shares”), which may represent interests in a number of shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred
Stock or Debt Securities of the Company, or a fraction thereof, in any combination, and will be represented by depositary receipts
(the “Depositary Receipts”); (vi) contracts for the purchase and sale of the Securities (as defined
below) (the “Purchase
Contracts”); (vii) units consisting of one or more of the Securities (the “Units”) and (viii) Common Stock,
Preferred Stock or Debt Securities that may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of Debt Securities, Warrants or Purchase
Contracts, whichever is applicable. The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, Securities Warrants, the Depositary
Shares, the Purchase Contracts, and the Units, are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Securities.” The Securities
may be issued and sold or delivered from time to time as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus
contained therein (the “Prospectus”) and supplements to the Prospectus and pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities
Act for an indeterminate aggregate initial offering price.
The Debt
Securities will be issued under an indenture (as amended or supplemented by indentures supplemental thereto, the “Indenture”),
the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association.
as Trustee (the “Trustee”).
The Purchase
Contracts will be issued pursuant to one or more Purchase Contract Agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”)
between the Company and such purchase contract agent as shall be named therein (the “Purchase Contract Agent”).
The Depositary
Shares will be issued pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company
and such depositary named therein (the “Depositary”).
The Securities
Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement” and, collectively, the “Warrant
Agreements”) between the Company and such warrant agent as shall be named therein. Each party to a Warrant Agreement other
than the Company is referred to hereinafter as a “Counterparty.”
The Units
will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) between the Company and such unit
agent as shall be named therein (the “Unit Agent”).
We have examined
the Registration Statement, a specimen certificate representing Common Stock, the Certificate of Designations for the Series C
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, the form of the Indenture, and the form of Debt Securities, which have been filed with the
Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein. We also have examined the originals,
or duplicates or certified or conformed copies, of such records, agreements, documents and other instruments and have made such
other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth. As to questions
of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers
and representatives of the Company.
In rendering
the opinions set forth below, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates
or certified or conformed copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We also have assumed that (1)
at the time of execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Debt Securities, the Indenture will be the valid and legally
binding obligation of the Trustee; (2) at the time of execution, issuance and delivery of the Purchase Contracts, the related
Purchase Contract Agreement will be the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchase Contract Agent; (3) at the time of
execution, countersignature, issuance and
delivery of the Depositary Shares, the related Deposit Agreement will be the valid and
legally binding obligation of the Depositary; (4) at the time of execution, countersignature, issuance and delivery of the Securities
Warrants, the related Warrant Agreement will be the valid and legally binding obligation of each Counterparty thereto; and (5)
at the time of execution, countersignature, issuance and delivery of the Units, the related Unit Agreement will be the valid and
legally binding obligation of the Unit Agent.
Based upon
the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect
to the Common Stock, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly constituted and acting
committee of such Board of Directors (such Board of Directors or committee being referred to herein as the “Board”)
of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance of the Common Stock, the terms of the offering thereof
and related matters and (b) due issuance and delivery of the Common Stock, upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable
definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
2. With respect
to the Preferred Stock, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the
issuance and terms of the Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) due filing of the applicable
certificate of designations in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware
General Corporation Law and (c) due issuance and delivery of the Preferred Stock, upon payment therefor in accordance with
the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, the Preferred Stock will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. With respect
to the Debt Securities, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance and terms
of the Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters by the Board or duly authorized officers of the Company,
(b) the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Indenture and any supplemental indenture or officer’s
certificate constituting the particular series of Debt Securities and (c) the due execution, authentication, issuance and delivery
of such Debt Securities, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting
or similar agreement approved by the Board or duly authorized officers of the Company and otherwise in accordance with the provisions
of the Indenture and such agreement, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
4. With respect
to the Purchase Contracts, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance and
terms of the Purchase Contracts, the terms of the offering thereof, the execution and delivery of the related Purchase Contract
Agreement and related matters by the Board and (b) the due execution, issuance and delivery of the Purchase Contracts, upon
payment of the consideration for such Purchase Contracts provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar
agreement approved by the Board and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Contract and such agreement,
the Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms.
5. With respect
to the Depositary Shares, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance and terms
of the Depositary Shares, the terms of the offering thereof, the execution and delivery of the applicable Deposit Agreement and
related matters by the Board, (b) the due execution and delivery by the Company of the applicable Deposit Agreement, (c) the due
issuance and delivery to the Depositary under the applicable Deposit Agreement of Securities represented by the Depositary Shares,
in the case of Preferred Stock and Common Stock validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (d) the due execution, issuance
and delivery of the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares against deposit of the Securities in accordance with the
applicable Deposit Agreement, upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar
agreement approved by the Board and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Deposit Agreement and such agreement,
the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares will be validly issued.
6. With respect
to the Securities Warrants, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance and
terms of the Securities Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof, the execution and delivery of the applicable Warrant Agreement
and related matters by the Board, (b) the due execution and delivery by the Company of the applicable Warrant Agreement and (c) the
due execution, countersignature, issuance and delivery of such Securities Warrants, upon payment thereof in accordance with the
applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board and otherwise in accordance with the provisions
of the applicable Warrant Agreement and such agreement, such Securities Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations
of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
7. With respect
to the Units, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action by the Board to authorize and approve (1) the
issuance and terms of the Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (2) if applicable, the execution and
delivery of the Purchase Contract Agreement with respect to the Purchase Contracts that are a component of the Units, (3) if
applicable, the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities that are a component of the Units, (4) if applicable, the issuance of
the Common Stock that is a component of the Units, (5) if applicable, the issuance and terms of the Preferred Stock that is a component
of the Units and (6) if applicable, the execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement with respect to the Securities Warrants
that are a component of the Units, (b) if applicable, the due execution and delivery of the Purchase Contract Agreement, (c)
if applicable, the due execution and delivery by the Company of the Indenture and any supplemental indenture or officer’s
certificate constituting the applicable series of Debt Securities, (d) if applicable, due filing of the Certificate of Amendment
or Certificate of Designations with respect to such Common Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively and (e) the due execution and
authentication, in the case of Debt Securities, and issuance and delivery of (1) the Units, (2) such Purchase Contracts
and (3) such Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Securities Warrants, as applicable, in each case upon the
payment of the consideration therefor provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved
by the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, in the case of such Purchase
Contracts, the Indenture, in the case of such Debt Securities, and the Warrant Agreement, in the case of such Securities Warrants,
such Units will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their terms.
Our opinions
set forth in paragraphs 3 through 7 above are subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
In addition, we express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of Section 11.13 of the Indenture
relating to the severability of the provisions of the Indenture.
We do not
express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law and the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
We hereby
consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the
caption “Validity of the Securities” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP |
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SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP |
Exhibit 12.1
CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges
(Dollars in millions)
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Three months ended | | |
Year ended December 31, | |
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March 31, 2015 | | |
2014 | | |
2013 | | |
2012 | | |
2011 | | |
2010 | |
Pretax income from operations: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net income | |
$ | 52.8 | | |
$ | 51.4 | | |
$ | 478.0 | | |
$ | 221.0 | | |
$ | 335.7 | | |
$ | 240.6 | |
Add income tax expense (benefit) | |
| 29.5 | | |
| 123.7 | | |
| (173.2 | ) | |
| (65.3 | ) | |
| (29.5 | ) | |
| (15.7 | ) |
Pretax income from operations | |
| 82.3 | | |
| 175.1 | | |
| 304.8 | | |
| 155.7 | | |
| 306.2 | | |
| 224.9 | |
Add fixed charges: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Interest expense on corporate debt | |
| 10.5 | | |
| 43.9 | | |
| 51.3 | | |
| 66.2 | | |
| 76.3 | | |
| 79.3 | |
Interest expense on investment borrowings and borrowings related to variable interest entities | |
| 11.0 | | |
| 48.9 | | |
| 54.0 | | |
| 48.4 | | |
| 37.8 | | |
| 33.9 | |
Interest added to policyholder account balances | |
| 31.6 | | |
| 173.0 | | |
| 232.5 | | |
| 260.5 | | |
| 282.5 | | |
| 303.9 | |
Portion of rental (a) | |
| 4.0 | | |
| 15.1 | | |
| 13.3 | | |
| 14.6 | | |
| 13.1 | | |
| 13.0 | |
Fixed charges | |
| 57.1 | | |
| 280.9 | | |
| 351.1 | | |
| 389.7 | | |
| 409.7 | | |
| 430.1 | |
Adjusted earnings | |
$ | 139.4 | | |
$ | 456.0 | | |
$ | 655.9 | | |
$ | 545.4 | | |
$ | 715.9 | | |
$ | 655.0 | |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | |
| 2.44X | | |
| 1.62X | | |
| 1.87X | | |
| 1.40X | | |
| 1.75X | | |
| 1.52X | |
| (a) | Interest portion of rental is estimated to be 33 percent. |
Exhibit 23.5
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 20, 2015, except with respect to our opinion on the
consolidated financial statements insofar as it relates to the effects of the change in definition of pre-tax operating
income to exclude the impact of fair market value changes related to the agent deferred compensation plan as described in
Note 1 and Note 16, as to which the date is May 11, 2015, relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting, which appears in CNO Financial Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
May 11, 2015. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 20, 2015 relating to the
financial statement schedules, which appears in CNO Financial Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent
to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in
such Registration Statement.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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Indianapolis, Indiana |
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May 11, 2015 |
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Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST
INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS
TRUSTEE
¨
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A
TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its
charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Robert C. Fiedler
Vice President and Counsel
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8541
(Name, address and telephone number of agent
for service)
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its
charter)
Delaware |
75-3108137 |
(State of incorporation) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street |
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Carmel, Indiana |
46032 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information
as to the trustee: |
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising
authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington,
D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust
powers. |
Yes.
| 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 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. Listed below are all exhibits
filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust,
National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1. |
| 6. | The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 6 of Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority,
attached as Exhibit 7. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the
laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 11th day of May, 2015.
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WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
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By: |
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Name: Lynn M. Steiner |
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Title: Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association
to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington
Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the
City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its
main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist
of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact
number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution
of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of
the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination
of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value
is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may
be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase
the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event
shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of
one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies,
shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed
from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected
and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board
of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed
by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting.
Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of
a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders
to elect directors and transact
whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office
or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or,
if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no
election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on
any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix
the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice
of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless
the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the
shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number
of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number
of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more
candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors,
a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all
other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of
directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association
entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall
be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior
to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the
meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than
the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain
the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance
herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes
cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any
time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be
effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by
shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes
is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification,
or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under
cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.
FIFTH. The
authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred
dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the
laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock
of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock
of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued,
or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may
from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must
be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these
articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles
of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each
shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles
of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder
approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the
classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued
as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series
may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise
provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date
authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in
the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business
on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date
be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional
shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue
fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a
full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market
in the association's stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price
through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of
the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder
after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata
to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise
the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association
upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights
unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions
as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the
shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to
scriptholders.
The association, at any time
and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders.
Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders,
do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange
or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The
board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board
and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders'
meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be
required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one
or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power
to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of
the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions
consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association's management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing
herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law,
and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the
affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The
board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington,
Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association
for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any
other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of
directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location
permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The
corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The
board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the
stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the
laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall
be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists.
If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless
otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called
annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For
purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party
of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his
or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually
incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal,
governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or
hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results
in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office
or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from
or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require
the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated
parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments
incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated
by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or
part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated
party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or
1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by
the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated
party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination
that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse
the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association
will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such
institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a
final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or
prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or
to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses
incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action
or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance
of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated
party (or by or
on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators)
to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators)
is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the
board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum
is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the
stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided
by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members
of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification,
the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the
remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs
of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members
of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of
the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the
board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion
of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal
counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested
indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable
law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available
with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any
restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted
on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding,
or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which
may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her
heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators)
may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders,
a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being
hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement
of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise,
of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding
to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein
or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any
part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the
minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote
of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that
such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage
to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such
person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not,
be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These
articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law,
and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association's board of directors may propose one or more
amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual
meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall
be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware,
at 1:00 o'clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may
designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall
be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed
to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is
not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent
day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by
shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first
class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Except
as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by
the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of
the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not
less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on
the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The board of directors may fix a record
date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving
notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is
the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
A special meeting may be called by shareholders
or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board
of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.
If an annual or special shareholders' meeting
is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time
or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association
becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which
the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must
be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned
before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class
mail.
Section 3. Nominations of Directors.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding
class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by
or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president
of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to
any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of
the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later
than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall
contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association
that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association
owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith
may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may
disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders
may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association
shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting.
Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted
proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted
at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of
the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless
otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn
any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast
shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the
articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of
directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The
board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly
limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.
Section 2. Number. The board of directors
shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member
limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of
a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.
Section 3. Organization Meeting.
The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect
of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place
in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint
officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter
as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum,
the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. The
Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of
a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held,
without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main
office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon
a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special
meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more
directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the
time and place of each special meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of
the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws,
but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice.
If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be
transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the
board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.
Section 7. Meetings by Conference
Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such
board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in
the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at
such meeting.
Section 8. Procedures. The order
of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding
at the meeting.
Section 9. Removal of Directors.
Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action,
by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have
referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any
director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action,
by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy
occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United
States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called
for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board
of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting
called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled
to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled
and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at
a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new
director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
ARTICLE III
Committees of the Board
The board of directors has power over and
is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate
its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.
The board of directors must formally ratify
written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must
have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association,
who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place
of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members
as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.
Section 1. Loan Committee. There
shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The
loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy
and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and
to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated.
The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board
of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered
in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 2. Investment Committee.
There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more
often. The investment
committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure
adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding
investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding
investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes
shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by
the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 3. Examining Committee. There
shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board
of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and
within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible
only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular
meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls
and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the
affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first
paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over
to a duly constituted audit committee of the association's parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 4. Trust Audit Committee.
There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.
Section 5. Other Committees. The
board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees
of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.
However, a committee may not:
| (1) | Authorize distributions of assets or dividends; |
| (2) | Approve action required to be approved by shareholders; |
| (3) | Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its
committees; |
| (4) | Amend articles of association; |
| (5) | Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or |
| (6) | Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale
of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares. |
Section 6. Committee Members' Fees.
Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending each meeting
or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings
attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis
on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1. Chairperson of the Board.
The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person
shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies
adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by
these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or
assigned by the board of directors.
Section 2. President. The board of
directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president
shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may
exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed
by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred
or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 3. Vice President. The board
of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned
by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to
perform all the duties of the president.
Section 4. Secretary. The board of
directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and
of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices
required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide
for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers
and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform
such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.
Section 5. Other Officers. The board
of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries,
one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys
in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association.
Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be
conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors
may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 6. Tenure of Office. The
president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they
shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly
by the board of directors.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer
may resign at any time by delivering notice to the
association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given
unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Fiduciary Activities
Section 1. Trust Audit Committee.
There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall,
at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable
audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been
administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such
committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of
the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee
to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first
paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given
over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board
of directors.
Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There
shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been
properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds
held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable
law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association
investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may
invest under applicable law.
ARTICLE VI
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock
shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall
be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder's shares, succeed to
all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably
calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related
matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates
of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or
by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the
board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon.
Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association
properly endorsed.
The board of directors may adopt or use
procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.
The association may establish a procedure through
which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The
procedure may set forth:
| (1) | The types of nominees to which it applies; |
| (2) | The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner; |
| (3) | How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
| (4) | The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected; |
| (5) | The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
| (6) | Other aspects of the rights and duties created. |
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The
seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The
president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated
by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the
same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The
fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All
agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions,
settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be
signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or
the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers
of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged,
verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors
may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The
articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing
committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes
of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance
Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking
practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as
amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For
purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated
party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or
her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred
in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental,
administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists;
provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order
or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative
action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all
legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties
(or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The
association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated
party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized
by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated
party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or
1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by
the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated
party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination
that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse
the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association
will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such
institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a
final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or
prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or
to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances,
expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any
action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association
in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated
party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated
party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized
by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such
action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted
by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated
party
has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification
in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members
of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification,
the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the
remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs
of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been
met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the
board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board
shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of
counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If
legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested
indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law,
the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available
with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment
of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law
in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable
law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court
of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators)
for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement
of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be
otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders,
a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being
hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to
the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise,
of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding
to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein
or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part
hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum
extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of
a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such
indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order
assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not,
be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A
copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office
of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The
bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a
majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any
such change.
I,________________, certify that: (1) I am the
duly constituted (secretary or treasurer) of and secretary of its board of directors, and as such officer am the official custodian
of its records; (2) the foregoing bylaws are the bylaws of the association, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.
I have hereunto affixed my official signature
on this day of .
_____________________________________
(Secretary or Treasurer)
The association's shareholders may amend or
repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by the board of directors.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or
District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
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WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
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Dated: |
May 11,
2015 |
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By: |
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Name: Lynn M. Steiner |
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Title: Vice President |
EXHIBIT 7
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on December 31,
2014
ASSETS |
| Thousands of Dollars |
Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
| 2,246,734 |
Securities: |
| 5,091 |
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
| 0 |
Loans and leases held for sale: |
| 0 |
Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
| 444,218 |
Premises and fixed assets: |
| 7,821 |
Other real estate owned: |
| 338 |
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
| 0 |
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
| 0 |
Intangible assets: |
| 2,033 |
Other assets: |
| 63,718 |
Total Assets: |
| 2,769,953 |
LIABILITIES |
| Thousands of Dollars |
Deposits |
| 2,168,256 |
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
| 89,000 |
Other borrowed money: |
| 0 |
Other Liabilities: |
| 76,499 |
Total Liabilities |
| 2,333,755 |
EQUITY CAPITAL |
| Thousands of Dollars |
Common Stock |
| 1,000 |
Surplus |
| 387,020 |
Retained Earnings |
| 48,773 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| (595) |
Total Equity Capital |
| 436,198 |
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
| 2,769,953 |
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