-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, IhC89el7DoXbt5yPtgUQzdF/RfMElbmp+kFVCwrgS+XIXivLqctOAta9UjZvHL2a RxPVj+W8UztN3NFCNPjHPA== 0001104659-08-043140.txt : 20080630 0001104659-08-043140.hdr.sgml : 20080630 20080630170623 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-08-043140 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080630 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080630 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080630 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001004440 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 521964611 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12869 FILM NUMBER: 08926652 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 750 E PRATT ST CITY: BALTIMORE STATE: MD ZIP: 21202 BUSINESS PHONE: 4107832800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 750 E PRATT STREET CITY: BALTIMORE STATE: MD ZIP: 21202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CONSTELLATION ENERGY CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19951220 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RH ACQUISITION CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19951205 8-K 1 a08-17735_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  June 30, 2008 (June 27, 2008)

 

Commission
File Number

 


Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter

 

IRS Employer
Identification No.

1-12869

 

CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.

 

52-1964611

 

MARYLAND

(State of Incorporation of registrant)

 

750 E. PRATT STREET,     BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

 

21202

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

410-783-2800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name, former address
and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

                Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

                o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

                o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

                o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

                o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

 



 

 

Item 8.01.  Other Events

 

On June 27, 2008, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (the “Company”) sold $450.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “Debentures”).  The Debentures were sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement dated June 20, 2008 to a Prospectus dated July 24, 2006 and pursuant to Registration Statement Nos. 333-135991 and 333-135991-01.  The Company has granted the underwriters an overallotment option to purchase up to an additional $67.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Debentures for 30 days following June 20, 2008.  This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed to report as exhibits certain documents in connection with this offering.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)           Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

4(a)

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2008, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.

 

 

 

4(b)

 

Replacement Capital Covenant, dated June 27, 2008.

 

 

2



 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

     CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.     

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: June 30, 2008

     /s/ Charles A. Berardesco

 

     Charles A. Berardesco

 

     Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Chief

 

     Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3



 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

4(a)

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2008, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.

 

 

 

4(b)

 

Replacement Capital Covenant, dated June 27, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4


EX-4.A 2 a08-17735_1ex4da.htm EX-4.A

Exhibit 4a

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 27, 2008 (this “First Supplemental Indenture”), between CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Trustee have duly executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of July 24, 2006 (the “Indenture”), providing for the authentication, issuance, delivery and administration of unsecured debt securities to be issued in one or more series by the Corporation (the “Securities”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Corporation desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of Securities (the “Debentures”) to be issued under the Indenture in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, which may be authenticated and delivered as provided in the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to amend the provisions of the Indenture to issue the Debentures under the terms of the Indenture as supplemented hereby;

 

WHEREAS, Section 11.02 of the Indenture provides that with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class) at the time outstanding, the Corporation, when authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental thereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of each such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Security, or reduce the rate or change the method to be used in establishing the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of a Discounted Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.01, or make the principal thereof or premium or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in such Securities, without the consent of the holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Securities of the series affected then outstanding;

 

WHEREAS, no Securities have been issued and are Outstanding under the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, for the purposes hereinabove recited, and pursuant to due corporate action, the Corporation has duly determined to execute and deliver to the Trustee this First Supplemental Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all conditions and requirements necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid, legal and binding instrument in accordance with its terms have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery hereof have been in all respects duly authorized;

 



 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the Corporation and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.           DEFINITIONS.

 

1.1           All terms contained in this First Supplemental Indenture shall, except as specifically provided herein or except as the context may otherwise require, have the meanings given to such terms in the Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.           TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SECURITIES.

 

There is hereby authorized the following series of Debentures:

 

2.1           Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures.

 

(a)           A single series of unsecured junior subordinated notes are hereby authorized and designated as the “Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures” (the “Series A Debentures”);

 

(b)           The Series A Debentures shall be issued by the Corporation in the initial aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000.  Additional Series A Debentures, without limitation as to amount, having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms as the Outstanding Series A Debentures (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the additional Series A Debentures or except for the first payments of interest following the issue date of the additional Series A Debentures) may also be issued by the Corporation pursuant to the Indenture without the consent of the existing holders of the Series A Debentures.  Any such additional Series A Debentures shall be part of the same series as the Outstanding Series A Debentures;

 

(c)           The maturity date for Series A Debentures is initially June 15, 2063, but will be automatically extended, without the consent of the holders of Series A Debentures, for an additional quarterly period on each of March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 beginning June 15, 2013 and through and including March 15, 2018 (each, an “Extension Date”), unless (i) earlier redeemed or (ii) at least 30, but no more than 60, days prior to any such Extension Date, the Corporation gives notice of its election to discontinue the automatic extension of the maturity date.  If the maturity date is automatically extended on all Extension Dates, the Series A Debentures will mature on June 15, 2068;

 

(d)           The Series A Debentures will bear interest at the rate of 8.625% per annum, compounded quarterly, payable (subject to the provisions contained in paragraph (l) below) quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of March, June, September and December of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing on September 15, 2008 and will be payable to the persons in whose names the Series A Debentures are registered, at the close of business on the Record Date next preceding such Interest Payment Date;

 

Interest on Series A Debentures will accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the Original Issue Date, until the principal hereof has been paid or duly made

 

2



 

available for payment (except as provided below).  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to the person in whose name Series A Debentures (or one or more predecessor Debentures) is registered at the close of business on the “Record Date” for such interest which shall be the close of business on (1) the business day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date so long as Series A Debentures are in book-entry only form, registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or any other successor depositary or a nominee thereof or (2) the 15th calendar day immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date if the Series A Debentures are not in book-entry only form, registered in the name of DTC or any other successor depositary or a nominee thereof; provided, however, that interest payable at maturity (or on any redemption date) will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof shall be payable.  As used herein, “Business Day” means any day, that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed;

 

(e)           The Series A Debentures will be redeemable at the option of the Corporation before June 15, 2013, at any time in whole and from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice given as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price described in the form of the Series A Debenture set forth as Exhibit A hereto;

 

(f)            On or after June 15, 2013, the Series A Debentures will be redeemable at the option of the Corporation, at any time in whole and from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice given as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the Redemption Date (as defined in the form of the Series A Debentures set forth as Exhibit A hereto);

 

(g)           If before June 15, 2013 a Tax Event (as defined in the form of the Series A Debentures set forth as Exhibit A hereto) shall occur and be continuing, the Corporation shall have the right to redeem the Series A Debentures, in whole but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence of the Tax Event, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice given as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the Redemption Date;

 

(h)           If before June 15, 2013 a Rating Agency Event (as defined in the form of the Series A Debentures set forth as Exhibit A hereto) shall occur and be continuing, the Corporation shall have the right to redeem the Series A Debentures, at any time in whole and from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice given as provided in the Indenture, at a Redemption Price described in the form of the Series A Debentures set forth as Exhibit A hereto;

 

(i)            The Series A Debentures will be issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples thereof;

 

(j)            The Series A Debentures will be initially issued in global form registered in the name of Cede & Co. (as nominee for The Depository Trust Company).  The Series A Debentures in global form shall bear the depository legend in substantially the form set forth in

 

3



 

Exhibit A hereto.  The Series A Debentures in global form will contain restrictions on transfer, substantially as described in the form of the Series A Debentures set forth in Exhibit A hereto;

 

(k)           So long as any Series A Debentures are Outstanding, default in the due and punctual payment of any installments of interest upon any of the Series A Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of Article XVIII of the Indenture, as amended by this First Supplemental Indenture) shall constitute an Event of Default; provided, however, that a valid deferral of the interest payments by the Corporation as contemplated in Section 3.09 of the Indenture, as amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, and paragraph (l) of this Section 2 of this First Supplemental Indenture shall not constitute a failure to pay interest for this purpose;

 

(l)            Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.01 of the Indenture, the principal of and accrued interest on the Series A Debentures shall not be declared immediately due and payable by reason of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(3) of the Indenture applicable to the Series A Debentures, and any notice of declaration of acceleration based on such Event of Default shall be null and void with respect to the Series A Debentures.  The Series A Debentures will not be considered Outstanding for the purpose of determining whether the required vote described in Section 7.01 of the Indenture has been obtained for the declaration of acceleration by reason of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(3) of the Indenture applicable to the Series A Debentures;

 

(m)          Pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, as amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, so long as no Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to Series A Debentures, the Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Series A Debentures, to defer the payment of interest for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive years (each period, commencing on the date that the first such payment would otherwise be made, an “Optional Deferral Period”); provided that no Optional Deferral Period shall extend beyond the maturity date, all upon terms and conditions set forth in the form of Series A Debentures set forth in Exhibit A hereto; and

 

(n)           The Series A Debentures shall have such other terms and provisions as are provided in the form of Series A Debentures set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

 

SECTION 3.           AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE

 

3.1           DEFINITIONS

 

(a)           The Indenture is hereby amended to add a definition of “Pari Passu Securities” after the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.01 of the Indenture to read as follows:

 

Pari Passu Securities” means: (i) indebtedness and other securities that, among other things, by its terms ranks equally with the Securities of any series in right of payment and upon liquidation; and (ii) guarantees of indebtedness or other securities described in clause (i), and

 

4



 

(iii) trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation, with respect to the Securities of any series.

 

(b)           The Indenture is hereby amended to add a definition of “Person” after the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.01 of the Indenture to read as follows:

 

Person” means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, association, bank, company, limited liability company, joint stock company, statutory trust, estate, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated association or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of whatever nature.

 

(c)           The Indenture is hereby amended to add a definition of “Senior Indebtedness” after the definition of “Securityholder” in Section 1.01 of the Indenture to read as follows:

 

Senior Indebtedness,” when used with respect to the Corporation, means all of the Corporation’s obligations whether presently existing or from time to time hereafter incurred, created, assumed or existing, to pay principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees and any other payment in respect of any of the following:

 

(a)   obligations for borrowed money, including without limitation, such obligations as are evidenced by credit agreements, notes, debentures, bonds or other securities or instruments;

 

(b)   capitalized lease obligations;

 

(c)   all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above of others which the Corporation, has assumed, endorsed, guaranteed, contingently agreed to purchase or provide funds for the payment of, or otherwise becomes liable for, under any agreement; or

 

(d)   all renewals, extensions or refundings of obligations of the kinds described clauses (a), (b) or (c) above.

 

unless, in the case of any particular obligation, indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same provides that such obligation, indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu with the Securities; and provided further that trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business shall not be deemed to be Senior Indebtedness.

 

3.2           DEFERRAL OF INTEREST PAYMENTS

 

(a)           The Indenture is hereby amended to add Section 3.09, to read as follows:

 

SECTION 3.09.              Deferral of Interest Payments.  The Corporation shall have the right at any time, so long as no Event of Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a series, to defer interest payments from time to time on all Securities

 

5



 

of such series, if so specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to such Securities and upon such terms as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to such Securities.

 

3.3           SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS

 

(a)           The Indenture is hereby amended to add Article XVIII, to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE XVIII

 

Subordination of Securities

 

SECTION 18.01.            Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.  The Corporation, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each holder of the Securities of each series, by its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities is hereby expressly subordinated and junior in right of payment, and subject, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Eighteen, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.  However, the Securities of each series will rank equally in right of payment with any Pari Passu Securities of the Corporation.

 

Each holder of the Securities of each series, by its acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Eighteen, and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

SECTION 18.02.            Payment Over of Proceeds of Securities.  In the event (a) of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in respect of the Corporation or a substantial part of its property and assets, or of any proceedings for liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Corporation, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (b) subject to the provisions of Section 18.03, that (i) a default shall have occurred with respect to the payment of principal of or interest on or other monetary amounts due and payable on any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, or (ii) there shall have occurred a default (other than a default in the payment of principal or interest or other monetary amounts due and payable) in respect of any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, as defined therein or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting the holder or holders thereof, or any other Person on its or their behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof (with notice or lapse of time, or both), and such default shall have continued beyond the period of grace, if any, in respect thereof, and, in the cases of subclauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (b), such default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist, or (c) that the principal of and/or premium, if any, and/or accrued interest, if any, on the Securities of any series shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 7.01 and such declaration shall not have been rescinded and annulled as provided in Section 7.01, then:

 

(1)           the holders of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money’s worth, before the holders of any of the Securities are entitled to receive a

 

6



 

payment on account of the principal of, premium if any, or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, including, without limitation, any payments made pursuant to Articles IV and XV;

 

(2)           any payment by, or distribution of property or assets of, the Corporation of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which any Securityholder or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Eighteen, shall be paid or delivered by the Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation remaining unpaid after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities or to the Trustee under this Indenture; and

 

(3)           in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by, or distribution of property or assets of, the Corporation of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, in respect of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or in connection with any repurchase by the Corporation of the Securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Securityholder before all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money or money’s worth, such payment or distribution in respect of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or in connection with any repurchase by the Corporation of the Securities shall be paid over to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the 91st day following the date of deposit of cash pursuant to Section 13.01 (provided all conditions set out in such Section shall have been satisfied), the funds so deposited and any interest thereon will not be subject to any rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation including, without limitation, those arising under this Article Eighteen; provided that no event described in clauses (4) and (5) of Section 7.01 has occurred during such 90-day period.

 

For purposes of this Article Eighteen only, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Corporation as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Corporation or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which are subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation which may at the time be outstanding to the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities

 

7



 

are so subordinated as provided in this Article Eighteen.  The consolidation of the Corporation with, or the merger of the Corporation into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation following the conveyance or transfer of its property and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article XII hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 18.02 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article XII hereof.  Nothing in Section 18.01 or in this Section 18.02 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.06.

 

SECTION 18.03.            Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.  Any failure by the Corporation to make any payment on or perform any other obligation in respect of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, other than any indebtedness incurred by the Corporation or assumed or guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation for money borrowed (or any deferral, renewal, extension or refunding thereof) or any other obligation as to which the provisions of this Section shall have been waived by the Corporation in the instrument or instruments by which the Corporation incurred, assumed, guaranteed or otherwise created such indebtedness or obligation, shall not be deemed a default under clause (b) of Section 18.02 if (i) the Corporation shall be disputing its obligation to make such payment or perform such obligation and (ii) either (A) no final judgment relating to such dispute shall have been issued against the Corporation which is in full force and effect and is not subject to further review, including a judgment that has become final by reason of the expiration of the time within which a party may seek further appeal or review, or (B) in the event that a judgment that is subject to further review or appeal has been issued, the Corporation shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or other proceeding for review and a stay or execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review.

 

SECTION 18.04.            Subrogation.  Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have received cash (or securities or other property satisfactory to such holders) in full payment of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation then outstanding.  Upon the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, the rights of the holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation to receive any further payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Corporation applicable to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation until all amounts owing on the Securities shall be paid in full; and such payments or distributions of cash, property or securities received by the holders of the Securities, by reason of such subrogation, which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation shall, as between the Corporation, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, and the Securityholders, be deemed to be a payment by the Corporation to or on account of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, it being understood that the provisions of this Article Eighteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Securityholders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, on the other hand.

 

SECTION 18.05.            Obligation of the Corporation Unconditional.  Nothing contained in this Article Eighteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall

 

8



 

impair, as among the Corporation, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation and the Securityholders, the obligation of the Corporation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Securityholders the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Securityholders and creditors of the Corporation other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Eighteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation in respect of cash, property or securities of the Corporation received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets, cash or property or securities of the Corporation referred to in this Article Eighteen, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation and other indebtedness of the Corporation, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon, and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Eighteen.

 

The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation (or a representative of such holder or a trustee under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may have been issued) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation or such representative or trustee on behalf of such holder.  In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness, or its representative or representatives or trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may have been issued, to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Eighteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the right of such Person under this Article Eighteen, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment or distribution.

 

SECTION 18.06.            Priority of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation Upon Maturity.  Upon the maturity of the principal of any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, all matured principal of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation and interest, premium and other payment obligation, if any, thereon shall first be paid in full before any payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, is made upon the Securities or before any Securities can be acquired by the Corporation or any sinking fund payment is made with respect to the Securities (except that required sinking fund payments may be reduced by Securities acquired before such maturity of such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation).

 

9



 

SECTION 18.07.                                   Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation; Preservation of Trustee’ Rights.  The Trustee shall be entitled to all rights set forth in this Article Eighteen with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.  Nothing in this Article Eighteen shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

Nothing in this Article Eighteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.06.

 

SECTION 18.08.                                   Notice to Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Eighteen or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Corporation, from a Securityholder or from a holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation or from any representative or representatives of such holder or any trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may have been issued and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled, subject to Section 8.01, in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that, if prior to the fifth Business Day preceding the date upon which by the terms of this Indenture any such moneys may become payable for any purpose, or in the event of the execution of an instrument pursuant to 13.01 acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, then if prior to the second Business Day preceding the date of such execution, the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this Section, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee may, in its discretion, receive such moneys and/or apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, which may be received by it on or after such date; provided, however, that no such application shall affect the obligations under this Article Eighteen of the persons receiving such moneys from the Trustee.

 

SECTION 18.09.                                   Modification, Extension, etc. of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.  The holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation or their representative or representatives or the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may have been issued may, without affecting in any manner the subordination of the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities, at any time or from time to time and in their absolute discretion, agree with the Corporation to change the manner, place or terms of payment, change or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, or amend or supplement any instrument pursuant to which any Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation is issued, or exercise or refrain from exercising any other of their rights under the Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, all without notice to or assent from the Securityholders or the Trustee.

 

SECTION 18.10.                                   Trustee Has No Fiduciary Duty to Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation.  With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and objectives as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to

 

10



 

the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or deliver to the Securityholders or the Corporation or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Eighteen or otherwise.

 

SECTION 18.11.                                   Paying Agents Other Than the Trustee.  In case at any time any paying agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Corporation and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article Eighteen shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such paying agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such paying agent were named in this Article Eighteen in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Sections 18.07, 18.08 and 18.10 shall not apply to the Corporation if it acts as paying agent.

 

SECTION 18.12.                                   Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation Not Impaired.  No right of any present or future holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation to enforce the subordination herein shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Corporation or by any noncompliance by the Corporation with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

 

SECTION 18.13.                                   Effect of Subordination Provisions; Termination.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, other than as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, all the provisions of this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of this Article Eighteen, so far as the same may be applicable thereto.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Article Eighteen shall be of no further effect, and the Securities shall no longer be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, if, and to the extent, the Corporation shall have delivered to the Trustee a notice to such effect.  Any such notice delivered by the Corporation shall not be deemed to be a supplemental indenture for purposes of Article Eleven.

 

SECTION 4.                      MISCELLANEOUS.

 

4.1                                 Ratification of Indenture.  The Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed a part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

 

4.2                                 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, EACH SERIES A DEBENTURE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND EACH SERIES A DEBENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE

 

11



 

EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

4.3                                 Counterparts.  This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all collectively but one instrument.

 

4.4                                 The Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which are made solely by the Corporation.

 

12



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC., as Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John R. Collins

 

 

Name:

John R. Collins

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer

 

13



 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Trustee
By Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kenneth R. Ring

 

 

Name:

Kenneth R. Ring

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rodney Gaughan

 

 

Name:

Rodney Gaughan

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

14



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FACE OF SERIES A DEBENTURE]

 

This Debenture is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) (55 Water Street, New York, New York) or its nominee, and this Debenture may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary unless and until this Debenture is exchanged in whole or in part for Debentures in definitive form. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depositary to the Corporation 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 requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary and any payment is made to Cede & Co., or such other name ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co. has an interest herein.

 

No. R-

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUSIP:  

 

 

CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.

 

Series A Junior Subordinated Debenture

 

ORIGINAL ISSUE
DATE:

 

INTEREST PAYMENT
DATES:             ,                 ,               , and                

 

 

 

INTEREST RATE:

 

 

 

 

 

MATURITY DATE:           , but will be automatically extended, without the consent of the holders of Debentures, for an additional quarterly period on each of                 ,               ,                          and                       , beginning                 ,          and through and including                 ,         , unless automatic extension of the maturity date is discontinued. If the maturity date is automatically extended on all extension dates, this Debenture will mature on               ,         .

 

 

 

A-1



 

Constellation Energy Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Corporation”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                                   , or registered assignees, the principal sum of                                          Dollars ($                        ) on the Maturity Date specified above and further described below and to pay interest thereon at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date specified above commencing on the Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and at maturity (or on any redemption date).

 

Interest on this Debenture will accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the Original Issue Date, until the principal hereof has been paid or duly made available for payment (except as provided below).  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to the person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more predecessor Debentures) is registered at the close of business on the “Record Date” for such interest which shall be the close of business on the 15th calendar day next preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day), provided that if the Debentures are held by a securities depository in book-entry form, the Record Date will be the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (each such date a “Record Date”); provided, however, that interest payable at maturity (or on any redemption date) will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof shall be payable.  As used herein, “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or executive order to close in The City of New York.

 

Payment of the principal of this Debenture, any premium and the interest due at maturity (or on any redemption date) will be made in immediately available funds upon surrender of this Debenture at the office or agency of the Paying Agent, as defined on the reverse hereof, maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other paying agency as the Corporation may determine.  Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Debenture will be made at the office of the Paying Agent in U.S. dollars; provided, however, that payments of interest (other than any interest payable at Maturity Date or upon redemption or repurchase) may be made at the option of the Corporation (i) by checks mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the register of the Debentures or (ii) by wire transfer to persons who are holders of record at such other addresses that have been filed with the Paying Agent on or prior to the Record Date.

 

Payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest payable at Maturity Date, or, if applicable, upon redemption or repurchase, on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at the request of the holder provided that this Debenture is presented to the Paying Agent in time for the Paying Agent to make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Debenture set forth on the reverse hereof; which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-2



 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or a duly designated authentication agent by manual signature, this Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under said Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. has caused this instrument to be executed in its corporate name with the manual or facsimile signature of its President or a Vice President and a facsimile of its corporate seal to be imprinted hereon, attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.

 

Dated:

 

 

CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE
OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
AMERICAS,
as Trustee
By Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

A-4



 

[REVERSE OF SERIES A JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE]

 

This Debenture is one of a duly authorized issue of Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “Debentures”) of the Corporation.  The Debentures are issuable under an indenture, dated as of July 24, 2006 (as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 27, 2008, the “Indenture”), each between the Corporation and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Corporation, the Trustee and holders of the Debentures and the terms upon which the Debentures are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The Corporation has appointed Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, at its principal corporate trust office in The City of New York as the paying agent (the “Paying Agent,” which term includes any additional or successor Paying Agent appointed by the Corporation) with respect to the Debentures.

 

The Corporation agrees, and by acquiring an interest in the Debenture each beneficial owner of the Debenture will agree, to treat the Debenture as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Redemption

 

In addition to the option of the Corporation to redeem the Debentures in connection with a Tax Event or a Rating Agency Event described below, this Debenture shall be redeemable in whole or in part at the option of the Corporation upon payment of the redemption prices specified below, upon notice (“Notice of Redemption”), mailed to the registered holders of the Debentures at least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, before the date fixed for redemption (the “Redemption Date”), at a price (the “Redemption Price”) as follows:

 

(A)(i) if redeemed prior to June 15, 2013, the redemption price will be the greater of: (a) 100% of the principal amount of such Debentures being redeemed and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Debentures (exclusive of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) being redeemed from the Redemption Date to June 15, 2013, discounted to the Redemption Date on a quarterly basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, plus in each case accrued interest to the Redemption Date, or

 

(ii) if redeemed on or after June 15, 2013, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

 

The following defined terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the time period from the Redemption Date or the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date (as defined below) to June 15, 2013 that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to such time period.

 

A-5



 

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date or Rating Agency Event Redemption Date (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (B) if fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are obtained, the average of all such quotations.

 

Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Corporation.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, UBS Securities LLC and one other primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States of America (“Primary Treasury Dealer”) selected by Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC or their affiliates, and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, Corporation shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date or Rating Agency Event Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealers at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date or Rating Agency Event Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the quarterly equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

 

In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a new Debenture or Debentures for the amount of the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

 

If at the time Notice of Redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not on deposit with the Trustee, then the redemption shall be subject to their receipt on or before the Redemption Date and such notice shall be of no effect unless such moneys are received.

 

If the Corporation at any time elects to redeem some but not all of the Debentures, the Trustee will select the particular Debentures to be redeemed using any method that it deems fair and appropriate.  However, if the Debentures are registered solely in the name of Cede & Co. and traded through DTC, then DTC will select the Debentures to be redeemed in accordance with its practices.

 

(B)           If before June 15, 2013, a Tax Event (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing, the Corporation shall have the right to redeem this Debenture, in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence of the Tax Event, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Debentures being redeemed plus accrued and

 

A-6



 

unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date fixed for such redemption (“Tax Event Redemption Date”).

 

If at the time Notice of Redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not on deposit with the Trustee, then the redemption shall be subject to their receipt on or before the Tax Event Redemption Date and such notice shall be of no effect unless such moneys are received at any time within 90 days after there is a Tax Event.

 

A “Tax Event” means the receipt by the Corporation of an Opinion of Counsel experienced in tax matters to the effect that, as a result of:

 

(a)           any amendment to, clarification of, or change, including any announced prospective change, in the laws or treaties of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, or any regulations under those laws or treaties;

 

(b)           an administrative action, which means any judicial decision or any official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement including any notice or announcement of intent to issue or adopt any administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation;

 

(c)           any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of any administrative action or judicial decision or any interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a position with respect to an administrative action or judicial decision that differs from the previously generally accepted position, in each case by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, regardless of the time or manner in which that amendment, clarification or change is introduced or made known; or

 

(d)           a threatened challenge asserted in writing in connection with an audit of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, or a publicly-known threatened challenge asserted in writing against any other taxpayer that has raised capital through the issuance of securities that are substantially similar to the Debentures,

 

which amendment, clarification, or change, in each case, is effective or which administrative action is taken or judicial decision, interpretation or pronouncement is issued, or which threatened challenge is asserted, after June 20, 2008, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Corporation on this Debenture is not deductible, or within 90 days would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by the Corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

(C)           If before June 15, 2013, a Rating Agency Event (as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, the Corporation shall have the right to redeem, upon a Notice of Redemption, this Debenture, whole at any time, or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Debenture and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Debenture (exclusive of interest accrued to the date fixed for such redemption) (“Rating Agency Event Redemption Date”) being redeemed from the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date to June 15, 2013, discounted to the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date on a quarterly basis (assuming a

 

A-7



 

360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, plus in each case accrued interest to the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date.

 

If at the time Notice of Redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not on deposit with the Trustee, then the redemption shall be subject to their receipt on or before the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date and such notice shall be of no effect unless such moneys are received.

 

A “Rating Agency Eventmeans a change in the methodology employed by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (a “Rating Agency”) that currently publishes a rating for the Corporation in assigning equity credit to securities such as the Debentures, as such methodology is in effect on June 20, 2008 (the “current criteria”), which change results in (a) the length of time for which such current criteria are scheduled to be in effect being shortened with respect to the Debentures, or (b) a lower or higher equity credit being assigned by such Rating Agency to the Debentures as of the date of such change than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Debentures as of the date of such change by such rating agency pursuant to its current criteria.

 

Option to Defer Interest Payments.  Pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, the Corporation shall have a right to defer quarterly interest payments on the Debentures, from time to time, for one or more periods (“Optional Deferral Periods”) of up to 10 consecutive years per Optional Deferral Period.  However, a deferral of interest payments cannot extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures.  During an Optional Deferral Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, compounded quarterly and deferred interest payments will accrue additional interest at a rate equal to the interest rate on the Debentures, to the extent permitted by applicable law.  No interest will be due and payable on the Debentures until the end of the Optional Deferral Period except upon a redemption of the Debentures during the Optional Deferral Period.

 

The Corporation may pay at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued to that point during an Optional Deferral Period.  At the end of the Optional Deferral Period or on any redemption date, the Corporation will be obligated to pay all accrued and unpaid interest.

 

Once all accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures has been paid, the Corporation again can defer interest payments on the Debentures as described above, provided that an Optional Deferral Period cannot extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures.

 

If the Corporation defers interest for a period of 10 consecutive years from the commencement of an Optional Deferral Period, the Corporation will be required to pay all accrued and unpaid interest at the conclusion of the 10-year period.  If the Corporation fails to pay in full all accrued and unpaid interest at the conclusion of the 10-year period and such failure continues for 30 days, an Event of Default that gives rise to acceleration of principal and interest on the Debentures will occur under the Indenture.

 

A-8



 

During any period in which the Corporation defers interest payments on the Debentures, the Corporation will not, and will cause its majority-owned subsidiaries not to, do any of the following:

 

(a)           declare or pay any dividend or distribution on the Corporation’s capital stock;

 

(b)           redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of the Corporation’s capital stock;

 

(c)           pay any principal, interest or premium on, or repay, purchase or redeem any of the Corporation’s debt securities that are equal or junior in right of payment with the Debentures; or

 

(d)           make any payments with respect to any Corporation guarantee of debt securities if such guarantee is equal or junior in right of payment to the Debentures,

 

other than

 

(a)           purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of the Corporation’s capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors, agents, consultants or a stock purchase, dividend reinvestment or similar plan, or the satisfaction of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on the date that the payment of interest is deferred requiring it to purchase, redeem or acquire its capital stock;

 

(b)           any payment, repayment, redemption, purchase, acquisition or declaration of a dividend as a result of any reclassification of the Corporation’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of all or a portion of one class or series of its capital stock or debt securities for a class or series of its capital stock;

 

(c)           the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of its capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, or in connection with the settlement of stock purchase contracts;

 

(d)           dividends or distributions paid or made in the Corporation’s capital stock (or rights to acquire its capital stock), or repurchases, redemptions or acquisitions of capital stock in connection with the issuance or exchange of capital stock (or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock) and distributions in connection with the settlement of stock purchase contracts;

 

(e)           redemptions, exchanges or repurchases of, or with respect to, any rights outstanding under a shareholder rights plan or the declaration or payment thereunder of a dividend or distribution of or with respect to rights in the future; or

 

(f)            payments under any trust preferred securities, subordinated debentures or junior subordinated debentures, or any guarantee of any of the foregoing, in each case that rank equal in right of payment to the Debentures, so long as the amount of payments made on account of such securities or guarantees is paid on all such securities and guarantees then outstanding on a pro

 

A-9



 

rata basis in proportion to the full payment to which each series of such securities and guarantees is then entitled if paid in full.

 

The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture, to the extent provided in the Indenture, is subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.  Each holder of this Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.  Each holder hereof, by his acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

 

Interest payments on this Debenture will include interest accrued to but excluding the Interest Payment Dates or the Maturity Date (or any earlier redemption or repayment date), as the case may be.  Interest payments for this Debenture will be computed and paid on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  The amount of interest payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which interest is computed will be computed on the basis of the number of days in the period using 30-day calendar months.

 

In the case where the Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date (or any redemption date) does not fall on a Business Day, payment of interest, premium, if any, or principal otherwise payable on such date need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or on the Maturity Date (or any redemption date), and no interest on such payment shall accrue for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date (or any redemption date) to such next succeeding Business Day.

 

This Debenture and all the obligations of the Corporation hereunder are direct, unsecured obligations of the Corporation and rank without preference or priority among themselves and pari passu with all other existing and future unsecured and junior subordinated indebtedness of the Corporation, subject to certain statutory exceptions in the event of liquidation upon insolvency.

 

This Debenture, and any Debenture or Debentures issued upon registration of transfer or exchange hereof, is issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and is issuable only in denominations of U.S. $25 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

The Trustee has been appointed registrar for the Debentures, and the Trustee will maintain at its principal corporate trust office in The City of New York a register for the registration and transfer of Debentures.  This Debenture may be transferred at the aforesaid office of the Trustee by surrendering this Debenture for cancellation, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and duly executed by the registered holder hereof in person or by the holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon the Trustee shall issue in the name of the transferee or transferees, in exchange herefor, a new

 

A-10



 

Debenture or Debentures having identical terms and provisions and having a like aggregate principal amount in authorized denominations, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.  All such exchanges and transfers of Debentures will be free of charge, but the Corporation or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in connection therewith.

 

If an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) with respect to the Debentures shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Debentures may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Corporation and the rights of the holders of the Securities of any series under the Indenture at any time by the Corporation with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding to be affected (voting as one class).  The Indenture also permits the Corporation and the Trustee to enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of Securities of any series for certain purposes specified in the Indenture, including the making of such other provisions in regard to matters arising under the Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interest of the holders of such Securities.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Corporation with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past Defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Debenture and of any Debenture issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Debenture.

 

The Indenture provides that no holder of any Security of any series may enforce any remedy with respect to such series under the Indenture except in the case of refusal or neglect of the Trustee to act after notice of a continuing Event of Default and after written request by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and the offer to the Trustee of reasonable indemnity; provided, however, that such provision shall not prevent the holder hereof from enforcing payment of the principal of or interest on this Debenture.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Debenture at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the interest on this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Corporation or any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by

 

A-11



 

the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.  This Debenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

All terms used in this Debenture which are defined in the Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

A-12



 

Assignment Form

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

Assignee’s Social Security or Tax I.D. Number:

 

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

 

(Print or Type Assignee’s Name, Address and Zip Code)

 

the within Note of the Company and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

 

Attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

 

 

 

Signature of Assignor

(Sign exactly as name appears on the face of the Note)

 

Dated:

 

 

 

A-13



 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-14


EX-4.B 3 a08-17735_1ex4db.htm EX-4.B

Exhibit 4b

 

Replacement Capital Covenant, dated June 27, 2008 (this “Replacement Capital Covenant”), by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Corporation”), in favor of and for the benefit of each Covered Debtholder (as defined below).

 

Recitals

 

A.                                     On the date hereof, the Corporation is issuing $450,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures (including any such junior subordinated debentures issued after the date hereof that may be consolidated and form a single series with such junior subordinated debentures issued on the date hereof, the “Subordinated Debentures”), which Subordinated Debentures were issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of July 24, 2006, between the Corporation and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture (the “Indenture”).

 

B.                                     This Replacement Capital Covenant is the “Replacement Capital Covenant” referred to in the Prospectus Supplement, dated June 20, 2008, relating to the Subordinated Debentures which supplements the Corporation’s Prospectus, dated July 24, 2006.

 

C.                                     The Corporation, in entering into and disclosing the content of this Replacement Capital Covenant in the manner provided below, is doing so with the intent that the covenants provided for in this Replacement Capital Covenant be enforceable by each Covered Debtholder and that the Corporation be estopped from disregarding the covenants in this Replacement Capital Covenant, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

D.                                    The Corporation acknowledges that reliance by each Covered Debtholder upon the covenants in this Replacement Capital Covenant is reasonable and foreseeable by the Corporation and that, were the Corporation to disregard its covenants in this Replacement Capital Covenant, each Covered Debtholder would have sustained an injury as a result of its reliance on such covenants.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Corporation hereby covenants and agrees as follows in favor of and for the benefit of each Covered Debtholder.

 

SECTION 1.                                Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Replacement Capital Covenant (including the Recitals) have the meanings set forth in Schedule I hereto.

 

SECTION 2.                                Limitations on Redemption, Defeasance or Purchase of Subordinated Debentures.  The Corporation hereby promises and covenants to and for the benefit of each Covered Debtholder that the Corporation shall not redeem or purchase, or satisfy, discharge or defease any portion of the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures through the deposit of money, as contemplated by Article XIII of the Indenture (such satisfaction, discharge or defeasance herein referred to as “defeasance”) and the Corporation shall cause its majority-owned Subsidiaries not to purchase, all or any part of the Subordinated Debentures on or before the Termination Date except to the extent that:

 



 

(a)                                  the principal amount defeased or the applicable redemption or purchase price does not exceed the sum of the following amounts raised through the issuance of Replacement Capital Securities:

 

(i) Applicable Percentage of (A) the aggregate amount of the net cash proceeds received by the Corporation and its Subsidiaries from the sale of Common Stock and Rights to acquire Common Stock, and (B) the Market Value of any Common Stock that the Corporation or its Subsidiaries have (X) delivered to persons other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries as consideration for property or assets in an arm’s-length transaction or (Y) issued to Persons other than the Corporation or its Subsidiaries in connection with the conversion into or exchange for Common Stock of any convertible or exchangeable securities, other than, in the case of (Y), convertible or exchangeable securities for which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries has received equity credit from any NRSRO; plus

 

(ii) Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount of net cash proceeds received by the Corporation and its Subsidiaries from the sale of Replacement Capital Securities (other than the securities set forth in clause (i) above);

 

in each case, to Persons other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries within the applicable Measurement Period (without double counting proceeds received in any prior Measurement Period); provided that the limitations in this Section 2 shall not restrict the repayment, redemption or other acquisition of any Subordinated Debentures that have been previously defeased or purchased in accordance with this Replacement Capital Covenant; or

 

(b)                                 the Subordinated Debentures are exchanged for consideration that includes an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference (or, in the case of Common Stock, Market Value) of Replacement Capital Securities equal to 100% prior to the Stepdown Date and 50% on or after the Stepdown Date (or, in the case of Common Stock, 50% prior to the Stepdown Date and 25% on or after the Stepdown Date) of the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debentures that are exchanged.

 

SECTION 3.                                Covered Debt.  (a)  The Corporation represents and warrants that the Initial Covered Debt is Eligible Debt.

 

(b)                                 On, or during the 30-day period immediately preceding, any Redesignation Date with respect to the Covered Debt then in effect, the Corporation shall identify the series of Eligible Debt that will become the Covered Debt on the related Redesignation Date in accordance with the following procedures:

 

(i)                                     the Corporation shall identify each series of its then outstanding long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that is Eligible Debt;

 

(ii)                                  if only one series of the Corporation’s then outstanding long-term indebtedness for money borrowed is Eligible Debt, such series shall become the Covered Debt commencing on the related Redesignation Date;

 

2



 

(iii)                               if the Corporation has more than one outstanding series of long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that is Eligible Debt, then the Corporation shall identify a specific series that has the latest stated final maturity date as of the date the Corporation is applying the procedures in this Section 3(b) and such series shall become the Covered Debt commencing on the related Redesignation Date;

 

(iv)                              the series of outstanding long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that is determined to be the Covered Debt pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above shall be the Covered Debt for purposes of this Replacement Capital Covenant for the period commencing on the related Redesignation Date and continuing to but not including the Redesignation Date as of which a new series of outstanding long-term indebtedness is next determined to be the Covered Debt pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section 3(b); and

 

(v)                                 in connection with such identification of a new series of the Covered Debt, notice shall be given as provided for in Section 3(d) within the time frame provided for in such section.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Replacement Capital Covenant, if a series of Eligible Senior Debt of the Corporation is the Covered Debt, on the date on which the Corporation issues a new series of Eligible Subordinated Debt, then immediately upon such issuance such series shall become the Covered Debt and the applicable series of Eligible Senior Debt shall cease to be the Covered Debt.

 

(d)                                 In order to give effect to the intent of the Corporation described in Recital C, the Corporation covenants that (i) simultaneously with the execution of this Replacement Capital Covenant, or as soon as practicable after the date hereof, (A) notice shall be given to the Holders of the Initial Covered Debt, in the manner provided in the indenture or other instrument under which such Initial Covered Debt was issued, of this Replacement Capital Covenant and the rights granted to such Holders hereunder and (B) the Corporation shall file a copy of this Replacement Capital Covenant with the Commission as an exhibit to a Form 8-K; (ii) so long as the Corporation is a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act, the Corporation will include in each Form 10-K filed with the Commission a description of the covenant set forth in Section 2 and identify the series of long-term indebtedness for borrowed money that is Covered Debt as of the date such Form 10-K is filed with the Commission; (iii) if a series of the Corporation’s long-term indebtedness for money borrowed (1) becomes Covered Debt or (2) ceases to be Covered Debt, notice of such occurrence will be given within 30 days to the holders of such long-term indebtedness for money borrowed in the manner provided for in the indenture or other instrument under which such long-term indebtedness for money borrowed was issued and the Corporation shall report such change in a Form 8-K, which must include or incorporate by reference this Replacement Capital Covenant, and also in the next Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, as applicable, of the Corporation; (iv) upon succession of any new entity as the Corporation hereunder as a result of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or other business combination of the Corporation as it existed prior thereto, notice of such occurrence shall be given within 30 days to the holders of the Covered Debt in the manner provided for in the indenture or other instrument under which such long-term indebtedness for money borrowed was issued, and the Corporation

 

3



 

shall report such change in a Form 8-K, which must include or incorporate by reference this Replacement Capital Covenant, and also in the next Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, as applicable, of the Corporation; (v) if, and only if, the Corporation ceases to be a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act, the Corporation will (A) post on its website (or on any other similar electronic platform generally available to the public) the information otherwise required to be included in Securities Exchange Act filings pursuant to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above; and (B) cause a notice of this Replacement Capital Covenant to be posted on the Bloomberg screen for the Initial Covered Debt or any successor Bloomberg screen or, if none, a similar third-party vendor’s screen the Corporation reasonably believes is appropriate (each an “Investor Screen”) and cause a hyperlink of this Replacement Capital Covenant to be included on the Investor Screen for each series of Covered Debt, in each case to the extent permitted by Bloomberg or such similar third-party vendor, as the case may be; and (vi) promptly upon the request of any Holder of Covered Debt, such Holder will be provided with a conformed copy of this Replacement Capital Covenant.

 

SECTION 4.                                Termination and Amendment.  (a)  The obligations of the Corporation pursuant to this Replacement Capital Covenant shall remain in full force and effect until the earliest date (the “Termination Date”) to occur of (i) (x) June 15, 2033 or (y) if the maturity date of the Subordinated Debentures shall be extended in accordance with the Supplemental Indenture, the date which is 30 years prior to the maturity date, as extended, or if earlier, the date on which the Subordinated Debentures are otherwise paid, redeemed, defeased or purchased in full (in compliance with the terms of Section 2 of this Replacement Capital Covenant), (ii) the date, if any, on which the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the then-effective Covered Debt consent or agree in writing to the termination of the obligations of the Corporation hereunder, (iii) the date on which the Corporation has no Eligible Senior Debt or Eligible Subordinated Debt (in each case without giving effect to the rating requirement in clause (ii) of the definition of each such term) and (iv) the date on which the Subordinated Debentures are accelerated as a result of an event of default under the Indenture.  From and after the Termination Date, the obligations of the Corporation pursuant to this Replacement Capital Covenant shall be of no further force and effect with respect to the Holders, or otherwise.

 

(b)                                 This Replacement Capital Covenant may be amended or supplemented from time to time by a written instrument signed only by the Corporation with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the then-effective Covered Debt, provided that this Replacement Capital Covenant may be amended or supplemented from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Corporation (and without the consent of the Holders) if any of the following apply: (i) such amendment or supplement eliminates Common Stock, Rights to acquire Common Stock, Common Equity Units and/or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock as Replacement Capital Securities, if, in the case of this clause, after the date of this Replacement Capital Covenant, an accounting standard or interpretive guidance of an existing accounting standard issued by an organization or regulator that has responsibility for establishing or interpreting accounting standards in the United States becomes effective such that there is more than an insubstantial risk that the failure to eliminate Common Stock, Rights to acquire Common Stock, Common Equity Units and/or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock as Replacement Capital Securities would result in a reduction in the Corporation’s earnings per share as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United

 

4



 

States (“EPS”), or the Corporation otherwise has been advised in writing by a nationally recognized independent accounting firm that there is more than an insubstantial risk that the failure to eliminate such securities as Replacement Capital Securities would result in a reduction of the Corporation’s EPS, (ii) the effect of such amendment or supplement is solely to impose additional restrictions on the ability of the Corporation to redeem, purchase or defease Subordinated Debentures or any majority-owned Subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase Subordinated Debentures, or to impose additional restrictions on, or to eliminate certain of, the types of securities qualifying as Replacement Capital Securities (other than securities which are covered by clause (i) above), and an officer of the Corporation has delivered to the Holders of the then-effective Covered Debt in the manner provided for in the indenture or other instrument under which such long-term indebtedness for money borrowed was issued a written certificate to that effect, (iii) such amendment or supplement extends the date specified in Section 4(a)(i), the Stepdown Date, or both or (iv) such amendment or supplement is not adverse to the rights of the Holders of the then-effective Covered Debt and an officer of the Corporation has delivered to the Holders of the then-effective Covered Debt in the manner provided for in the indenture or other instrument under which such long-term indebtedness for money borrowed was issued a written certificate stating that, in his or her determination, such amendment or supplement is not adverse to the rights of the Holders of the then-effective Covered Debt.  For the avoidance of doubt, an amendment or supplement that adds new types of Replacement Capital Securities or modifies the requirements of the Replacement Capital Securities described herein would not be adverse to the rights of the Holders of Covered Debt if, following such amendment or supplement, this Replacement Capital Covenant would satisfy the definition of Explicit Replacement Covenant.

 

(c)                                  For purposes of Sections 4(a) and 4(b), the Holders whose consent or agreement is required to terminate, amend or supplement this Replacement Capital Covenant or the obligations of the Corporation hereunder shall be the Holders of the then-effective Covered Debt as of a record date established by the Corporation that is not more than 30 days prior to the date on which the Corporation proposes that such termination, amendment or supplement becomes effective.

 

SECTION 5.                                Miscellaneous.  (a)  This Replacement Capital Covenant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

(b)                                 This Replacement Capital Covenant shall be binding upon the Corporation (and its successors and assigns) and shall inure to the benefit of the Covered Debtholders as they exist from time-to-time (it being understood and agreed by the Corporation that any Person who is a Covered Debtholder shall retain its status as a Covered Debtholder for so long as the series of long-term indebtedness for borrowed money owned by such Person is Covered Debt and, if such Person initiates a claim or proceeding to enforce its rights under this Replacement Capital Covenant after the Corporation has violated its covenants in Section 2 and before the series of long-term indebtedness for money borrowed held by such Person is no longer Covered Debt, such Person’s rights under this Replacement Capital Covenant shall not terminate by reason of such series of long-term indebtedness for money borrowed no longer being Covered Debt).  The Corporation agrees that, if at any time the Covered Debt is held by a trust (for example, where the Covered Debt is part of an issuance of trust preferred securities), a holder of the securities issued by such trust may enforce (including by instituting legal proceedings) this Replacement Capital Covenant directly against the Corporation as though such holder owned the Covered

 

5



 

Debt directly, and the holders of such trust securities shall be deemed Holders of Covered Debt for purposes of this Replacement Capital Covenant for so long as the indebtedness held by such trust remains Covered Debt hereunder. Other than the Covered Debtholders as provided in the two previous sentences, no other Person shall have any rights under this Replacement Capital Covenant or be deemed a third party beneficiary of this Replacement Capital Covenant.  In particular, no holder of the Subordinated Debentures is a third party beneficiary of this Replacement Capital Covenant, it being understood that such holders may have rights under the Indenture.

 

(c)                                  All demands, notices, requests and other communications to the Corporation under this Replacement Capital Covenant shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if in writing and (i) if served by personal delivery upon the Corporation, on the day so delivered (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) or (ii) if delivered by registered post or certified mail, return receipt requested, or sent to the Corporation by a national or international courier service, on the date of receipt by the Corporation (or, if such date of receipt is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and in each case to the Corporation at the address set forth below, or at such other address as may thereafter be listed as the principal executive offices of the Corporation in the then most recently filed Form 10-K or Form 10-Q of the Corporation or as may thereafter be posted on the Corporation’s website as the address for notices under this Replacement Capital Covenant:

 

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

Attention:  Treasurer

750 East Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

6



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Replacement Capital Covenant to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

         /s/ John R. Collins

 

 

Name:

John R. Collins

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

7



 

Schedule I

 

Definitions

 

“Alternative Payment Mechanism” means, with respect to any Qualifying Capital Securities, provisions in the related transaction documents that permit the issuer, in its sole discretion, to defer or skip Distributions in whole or in part on such Qualifying Capital Securities for one or more consecutive Distribution Periods of up to ten years and that require the issuer thereof to issue (or use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to issue), in its sole discretion, one or more types of APM Qualifying Securities raising “eligible proceeds” (as defined in (a) below) at least equal to the deferred Distributions on such Qualifying Capital Securities and apply the proceeds to pay unpaid Distributions on such Qualifying Capital Securities, commencing on the earlier of (x) the first Distribution Date after commencement of a deferral period on which such issuer pays current Distributions on such Qualifying Capital Securities and (y) the fifth anniversary of the commencement of such deferral period, and that:

 

(a)           define “eligible proceeds” to mean, for purposes of such Alternative Payment Mechanism, the net proceeds (after underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, commissions or discounts and other expenses relating to the issuance or sale of the relevant securities, where applicable, and including the fair market value of property received by the issuer or its Subsidiaries as consideration for such securities) that such issuer has received during the 180 days prior to the related Distribution Date from the issuance of APM Qualifying Securities to Persons other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, up to the Preferred Cap (as defined in (e) below) in the case of APM Qualifying Securities that are Qualifying Preferred Stock or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock;

 

(b)           permit such issuer to pay current Distributions on any Distribution Date out of any source of funds but (x) require such issuer to pay deferred Distributions only out of eligible proceeds and (y) prohibit such issuer from paying deferred Distributions out of any source of funds other than eligible proceeds;

 

(c)           if deferral of Distributions continues for more than one year (or such shorter period as may be provided for in the terms of such securities), require such issuer or any of its Subsidiaries not to redeem or purchase any securities that rank pari passu with or junior to any APM Qualifying Securities that such issuer has issued to settle deferred Distributions in respect to that deferral period until at least one year after all deferred Distributions have been paid (a “Purchase Restriction”), other than the following (none of which shall be restricted or prohibited by a Purchase Restriction):

 

(i)            purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with any employment or compensatory contract, compensation or benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants; or

 

(ii)           purchases of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy shares of Common Stock entered into prior to the beginning of the related deferral period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan;

 

(d)           limit the obligation of such issuer to issue (or use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to issue) APM Qualifying Securities that are Common Stock or Qualifying Warrants,

 

I-1



 

either (i) during the first five years of any deferral period or (ii) with respect to deferred Distributions attributable to the first five years of any deferral period (provided that such limitation shall not apply after the ninth anniversary of the commencement of any deferral period), to a number of shares of Common Stock and Rights to acquire Common Stock which does not, in the aggregate, exceed 2% of the outstanding number of shares of such issuer’s Common Stock, in each case as of the date of the Corporation’s most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements at the time of such issuance (the “Common Cap”);

 

(e)           limit the right of such issuer to issue APM Qualifying Securities that are Qualifying Preferred Stock or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, to an amount from the issuance of such Qualifying Preferred Stock and then-still outstanding Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the related Alternative Payment Mechanism (including, in the case of Qualifying Preferred Stock, at any point in time from all prior issuances thereof pursuant to such Alternative Payment Mechanism) equal to 25% of the initial liquidation or principal amount of the Qualifying Capital Securities that are the subject of the related Alternative Payment Mechanism (the “Preferred Cap”);

 

(f)            in the case of Qualifying Capital Securities include a Bankruptcy Claim Limitation Provision; and

 

(g)           permit the Corporation, at its option, to provide that if the Corporation is involved in a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, statutory share exchange or conveyance, transfer or lease of assets substantially as an entirety to any other person or a similar transaction (a “business combination”) where immediately after the consummation of the business combination more than 50% of the voting securities of the surviving entity of the business combination, or the entity to whom all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets are conveyed, transferred or leased, is owned by the equityholders of the other party to the business combination, then clauses (a), (b) and (c) above will not apply to any deferral period that is terminated on the next Distribution Date following the date of consummation of the business combination;

 

provided (and it being understood) that:

 

(h)           the Alternative Payment Mechanism may at the discretion of such issuer include a share cap limiting the issuance of APM Qualifying Securities consisting of Common Stock, Qualifying Warrants and Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, in each case to a maximum issuance cap to be set at the discretion of such issuer (a “Share Cap”); provided that such Share Cap will be subject to such issuer’s agreement to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to increase the Share Cap when reached and (i) only to the extent it can do so and simultaneously satisfy its future fixed or contingent obligations under other securities and derivative instruments that provide for settlement or payment in Common Stock or (ii) if such issuer cannot increase the Share Cap as contemplated in the preceding clause, by requesting its board of directors to adopt a resolution for shareholder vote at the next occurring annual shareholders meeting to increase the number of shares of such issuer’s authorized Common Stock for purposes of satisfying its obligations to pay deferred Distributions;

 

I-2



 

(i)            such issuer shall not be obligated to issue (or use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to issue) APM Qualifying Securities for so long as a Market Disruption Event has occurred and is continuing;

 

(j)            if, due to a Market Disruption Event or otherwise, such issuer is able to raise and apply some, but not all, of the eligible proceeds necessary to pay all deferred Distributions on any Distribution Date, such issuer will apply any available eligible proceeds to pay accrued and unpaid Distributions on the applicable Distribution Date in chronological order subject to the Common Cap, the Preferred Cap, and the Share Cap (if any), as applicable; and

 

(k)           if such issuer has outstanding more than one class or series of securities under which it is obligated to sell a type of APM Qualifying Securities and apply some part of the proceeds to the payment of deferred Distributions, then on any date and for any period the amount of net proceeds received by such issuer from those sales and available for payment of deferred Distributions on such securities shall be applied to such securities on a pro rata basis up to the Common Cap, the Preferred Cap and the Share Cap (if any), as applicable, in proportion to the total amounts that are due on such securities.

 

APM Qualifying Securities” means, with respect to any Alternative Payment Mechanism, any Debt Exchangeable for Preferred Equity or any Mandatory Trigger Provision, one or more of the following (as designated in the transaction documents for any Qualifying Capital Securities that include an Alternative Payment Mechanism or a Mandatory Trigger Provision or for any Debt Exchangeable for Preferred Equity):

 

(a)           Common Stock;

 

(b)           Qualifying Warrants;

 

(c)           Qualifying Preferred Stock; and

 

(d)           Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock

 

provided that if the APM Qualifying Securities for any Alternative Payment Mechanism, any Debt Exchangeable for Preferred Equity or any Mandatory Trigger Provision include both Common Stock and Qualifying Warrants, such Alternative Payment Mechanism, Debt Exchangeable for Preferred Equity or Mandatory Trigger Provision may permit, but need not require, the Corporation to issue Qualifying Warrants.

 

“Applicable Percentage” means:

 

(i)            with respect to Common Stock, Rights to acquire Common Stock and Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, 200% prior to the Stepdown Date and 400% on or after the Stepdown Date;

 

(ii)           (a) with respect to Qualifying Capital Securities described in clause (a) of the definition of that term, 100% prior to the Stepdown Date and 200% on or after the Stepdown Date and (b) with respect to Qualifying Capital Securities described in clause (b) of the definition of that term, 100%; and

 

I-3



 

(iii)          with respect to Debt Exchangeable for Equity, 150% prior to the Stepdown Date and 300% on or after the Stepdown Date.

 

Bankruptcy Claim Limitation Provision” means, with respect to any Qualifying Capital Securities that have an Alternative Payment Mechanism or a Mandatory Trigger Provision, provisions that, upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up or reorganization or in connection with any insolvency, receivership or proceeding under any bankruptcy law with respect to the issuer, limit the claim of the holders of such Qualifying Capital Securities to Distributions that accumulate during (a) any deferral period, in the case of Qualifying Capital Securities that have an Alternative Payment Mechanism or (b) any period in which the issuer fails to satisfy one or more financial tests set forth in the terms of such securities or related transaction agreements, in the case of Qualifying Capital Securities having a Mandatory Trigger Provision, to:

 

(i)            in the case of Qualifying Capital Securities having an Alternative Payment Mechanism or Mandatory Trigger Provision with respect to which the APM Qualifying Securities do not include Qualifying Preferred Stock or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, 25% of the stated or principal amount of such Qualifying Capital Securities then outstanding; and

 

(ii)           in the case of any other Qualifying Capital Securities, an amount not in excess of the sum of (x) the amount of accumulated and unpaid Distributions (including compounded amounts) that relate to the earliest two years of the portion of the deferral period for which Distributions have not been paid and (y) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Preferred Cap over the aggregate amount of net proceeds from the sale of Qualifying Preferred Stock or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock that the issuer has applied to pay such Distributions pursuant to the Alternative Payment Mechanism or the Mandatory Trigger Provision, provided that the holders of such Qualifying Capital Securities are deemed to agree that, to the extent the remaining claim exceeds the amount set forth in subclause (x), the amount they receive in respect of such excess shall not exceed the amount they would have received had the claim for such excess ranked pari passu with the interests of the holders, if any, of Qualifying Preferred Stock or Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly constituted committee thereof.

 

Business Day” means each day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday or (ii) a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

“Commercially Reasonable Efforts” means, for purposes of selling APM Qualifying Securities, commercially reasonable efforts to complete the offer and sale of APM Qualifying Securities to third parties that are not the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries in public offerings or private placements.  The issuer of APM Qualifying Securities shall not be considered to have made Commercially Reasonable Efforts to effect a sale of APM Qualifying Securities if it determines not to pursue or complete such sale due to pricing, coupon, dividend rate or dilution considerations.

 

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

I-4



 

Common Cap” has the meaning specified in the definition of Alternative Payment Mechanism.

 

“Common Equity Units” means a security or combination of securities that

 

(i) gives the holders (a) a beneficial interest in a fixed income security of the Corporation (including a debt security, a trust preferred security of a subsidiary trust or preferred stock) and (b) a beneficial interest in a stock purchase contract that obligates the holder to acquire shares of Common Stock to be within a range established at the time of issuance of the Common Equity Units subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments;

 

(ii) provides that the holders directly or indirectly grant the Corporation a security interest in such fixed income securities and their proceeds (including any substitute collateral permitted under the transaction documents) to secure the holders’ direct or indirect obligation to purchase Common Stock pursuant to such stock purchase contracts;

 

(iii) includes a remarketing feature pursuant to which the fixed income security is required to be remarketed to new investors commencing not later than the first Distribution Date that is at least three years after the issuance of the security; and

 

(iv) provides for the proceeds raised in the remarketing to be used to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the stock purchase contracts, and, if there has not been a successful remarketing by the first Distribution Date that is one year after the earliest scheduled settlement date of the stock purchase contracts, provides that the stock purchase contract will be settled by the Corporation exercising its remedies as a secured party with respect to the fixed income securities or other collateral directly or indirectly pledged by the holders.

 

“Common Stock” means common stock of the Corporation (including common stock issued pursuant to a stock purchase plan or employee benefit plan).

 

“Corporation” has the meaning specified in the introduction to this instrument.

 

“Covered Debt” means (i) at the date of this Replacement Capital Covenant and continuing to but not including the first Redesignation Date, the Initial Covered Debt and (ii) thereafter, commencing with each Redesignation Date and continuing to but not including the next succeeding Redesignation Date, the Eligible Debt identified pursuant to Section 3(b) as the Covered Debt for such period.

 

“Covered Debtholder” means each Person (whether a Holder or a beneficial owner holding through a participant in a clearing agency) that buys, holds or sells long-term indebtedness for money borrowed of the Corporation during the period that such long-term indebtedness for money borrowed is Covered Debt, provided that a Person who has sold all its right, title and interest in Covered Debt shall cease to be a Covered Debtholder at the time of such sale if, at such time, the Corporation has not breached or repudiated, or threatened to breach or repudiate, its obligations hereunder.

 

I-5



 

“Debt Exchangeable for Equity” means Common Equity Units or Debt Exchangeable for Preferred Equity.

 

Debt Exchangeable for Preferred Equity” means a security or combination of securities (together in this definition, “such securities”) that:

 

(a)           gives the holder a beneficial interest in (i) subordinated debt securities of the Corporation (in this definition, the “issuer”), permitting the issuer to defer Distributions in whole or in part on such securities for one or more Distribution Periods of up to at least seven years without any remedies other than Permitted Remedies and that are the most junior subordinated debt of the issuer (or rank pari passu with the most junior subordinated debt of the issuer) (in this definition, “subordinated debt”) and (ii) a fractional interest in a stock purchase contract for a share or shares of Qualifying Preferred Stock of the Corporation that ranks pari passu with or junior to all other preferred stock of the Corporation (in this definition, “preferred stock”);

 

(b)           provides that the holders directly or indirectly grant to the Corporation a security interest in such subordinated debt and their proceeds (including any substitute collateral permitted under the transaction documents) to secure the holders’ direct or indirect obligation to purchase preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to such stock purchase contracts;

 

(c)           includes a remarketing feature pursuant to which the subordinated debt of the issuer is remarketed to new investors commencing not later than the first Distribution Date that is at least five years after the date of issuance of such securities or earlier in the event of an early settlement event based on: (i) the dissolution of the issuer of such securities or (ii) one or more financial tests set forth in the terms of the instrument governing such securities;

 

(d)           provides for the proceeds raised in the remarketing of the subordinated debt to be used to purchase preferred stock of the Corporation under the stock purchase contracts and, if there has not been a successful remarketing by the first Distribution Date that is six years after the date of issuance of such securities, provides that the stock purchase contracts will be settled by the Corporation exercising its remedies as a secured party with respect to its subordinated debt or other collateral directly or indirectly pledged by the holders of such securities;

 

(e)           is subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant that will apply to such securities and preferred stock of the Corporation and will not include Debt Exchangeable for Equity as a Replacement Capital Security; and

 

(f)            if applicable, after the issuance of such preferred stock of the Corporation, provides the holders of such securities with a beneficial interest in such preferred stock of the Corporation.

 

“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 2.

 

“Distribution Date” means, as to any security or combination of securities, the dates on which periodic Distributions on such securities are scheduled to be made.

 

I-6



 

“Distribution Period” means, as to any security or combination of securities, each period from and including a Distribution Date for such securities to but not including the next succeeding Distribution Date for such securities.

 

“Distributions” means, as to a security or combination of securities, dividends, interest payments or other income distributions to the holders thereof that are not Subsidiaries of the Corporation.

 

“Eligible Debt” means, at any time, Eligible Subordinated Debt or, if no Eligible Subordinated Debt is then outstanding, Eligible Senior Debt.  The Subordinated Debentures shall not be considered “Eligible Debt” for purposes of this Replacement Capital Covenant.

 

“Eligible Senior Debt” means, at any time in respect of any issuer, each series of the issuer’s then outstanding unsecured long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that (i) upon a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the issuer, ranks most senior among the issuer’s then outstanding classes of unsecured indebtedness for money borrowed, (ii) is then assigned a rating by at least one NRSRO (provided that this clause (ii) shall apply on a Redesignation Date only if on such date the issuer has outstanding senior long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that satisfies the requirements of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) that is then assigned a rating by at least one NRSRO), (iii) has an outstanding principal amount of not less than $100,000,000, and (iv) was issued through or with the assistance of a commercial or investment banking firm or firms acting as underwriters, initial purchasers or placement or distribution agents.  For purposes of this definition as applied to securities with a CUSIP number, each issuance of long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that has (or, if such indebtedness is held by a trust or other intermediate entity established directly or indirectly by the issuer, the securities of such intermediate entity that have) a separate CUSIP number shall be deemed to be a series of the issuer’s long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that is separate from each other series of such indebtedness.

 

“Eligible Subordinated Debt” means, at any time in respect of any issuer, each series of the issuer’s then outstanding unsecured long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that (i) upon a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the issuer, ranks senior to the Subordinated Debentures (or any guarantee thereof) and subordinate to the issuer’s then outstanding series of unsecured indebtedness for money borrowed that ranks most senior, (ii) is then assigned a rating by at least one NRSRO (provided that this clause (ii) shall apply on a Redesignation Date only if on such date the issuer has outstanding subordinated long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that satisfies the requirements of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) that is then assigned a rating by at least one NRSRO), (iii) has an outstanding principal amount of not less than $100,000,000, and (iv) was issued through or with the assistance of a commercial or investment banking firm or firms acting as underwriters, initial purchasers or placement or distribution agents.  For purposes of this definition as applied to securities with a CUSIP number, each issuance of long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that has (or, if such indebtedness is held by a trust or other intermediate entity established directly or indirectly by the issuer, the securities of such intermediate entity have) a separate CUSIP number shall be deemed to be a series of the issuer’s long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that is separate from each other series of such indebtedness.

 

I-7



 

“Explicit Replacement Covenant” means, as to any security or combination of securities, that the issuer has made a covenant substantially similar to this Replacement Capital Covenant or a replacement capital covenant, as identified by the Board of Directors acting in good faith and in their reasonable discretion and reasonably construing the definitions and other terms of this Replacement Capital Covenant to the effect that the issuer will redeem, defease or purchase, and any Subsidiaries of the issuer will purchase, such securities only if and to the extent that the applicable percentage of the net proceeds raised through the issuance of specified replacement capital securities that have terms and provisions at the time of redemption, defeasance or purchase that are as much or more equity-like than the securities then being redeemed, defeased or purchased, raised within 180 days prior to the applicable redemption, defeasance or purchase date, and that the board of directors of the issuer has determined that such covenant is binding on the issuer for the benefit of one or more series of the long-term indebtedness for money borrowed of the issuer to the same extent as this Replacement Capital Covenant is binding on the Corporation for the benefit of the Holders of the Initial Covered Debt.

 

“Form 8-K” means a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act, and any successor report.

 

“Form 10-K” means an Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act, and any successor report.

 

“Form 10-Q” means a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act, and any successor report.

 

“Holder” means, as to the Covered Debt then in effect, each holder of such Covered Debt as reflected on the securities register maintained by or on behalf of the Corporation with respect to such Covered Debt.

 

“Indenture” has the meaning specified in Recital A.

 

“Initial Covered Debt” means the Corporation’s 7.60% Notes due April 1, 2032 (CUSIP No. 210371 AF7).

 

“Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure” means, as to any security or combination of securities issued, directly or indirectly, that the issuer has publicly stated its intention, either in the prospectus or other offering document under which such security or combination of securities were initially offered for sale or in filings with the Commission made by the issuer or an affiliate under the Securities Exchange Act prior to or contemporaneously with the issuance of such securities, that the issuer will redeem, purchase or defease, or its Subsidiaries will purchase, such securities only with the applicable percentage of the net proceeds raised through the issuance of specified replacement capital securities that have terms and provisions at the time of redemption, defeasance or purchase that are as much or more equity-like than the securities then being redeemed, defeased or purchased, issued within 180 days prior to the applicable redemption, purchase or defeasance date.

 

“Investor Screen” has the meaning specified in Section 3(d).

 

I-8



 

“Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock” means cumulative preferred stock or Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Corporation with (a) no prepayment obligation on the part of the issuer thereof, whether at the election of the holders or otherwise, and (b) a requirement that the preferred stock convert into Common Stock of the issuer within three years from the date of its issuance for a determinable number of shares or within a range established at the time of issuance of the preferred stock or the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.

 

Mandatory Trigger Provision” means, as to any security or combination of securities, provisions in the terms thereof or in the related transaction agreements that (A) require, or at its option in the case of perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock permit, the issuer of such security or combination of securities to make payment of Distributions on such securities only in connection with the issuance and sale of APM Qualifying Securities, within two years of a failure to satisfy one or more financial tests set forth in the terms of such securities or related transaction agreements (for the avoidance of doubt, payment of such Distributions with cash from any source other than APM Qualifying Securities is not permitted within such two-year period immediately following the failure of the issuer to satisfy such financial test(s)), in an amount such that the net proceeds of such sale at least equal the amount of unpaid Distributions on such securities (including without limitation all deferred and accumulated amounts) and in either case requires the application of the net proceeds of such sale to pay such unpaid Distributions; provided that (i) such Mandatory Trigger Provision shall limit the issuance and sale of Common Stock and Qualifying Warrants the proceeds of which may be applied to pay such Distributions pursuant to such provision to the Common Cap, unless the Mandatory Trigger Provision requires such issuance and sale within one year of such failure, and (ii) the amount of Qualifying Preferred Stock and still outstanding Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock the net proceeds of which the issuer may apply to pay such Distributions pursuant to such provision may not exceed the Preferred Cap, (B) in the case of securities other than perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, prohibit the issuer from purchasing any APM Qualifying Securities, or any securities that rank pari passu with or junior to APM Qualifying Securities, the proceeds of which were used to settle deferred interest during the relevant deferral period prior to the date six months after the issuer applies the net proceeds of the sales described in clause (A) to pay such unpaid Distributions in full, (C) in the case of securities other than perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, include a Bankruptcy Claim Limitation Provision and (D) if deferral of Distributions continues for more than one year (or such shorter period as may be provided for in the terms of such securities), prohibit the issuer of such securities from redeeming or purchasing any of its securities ranking upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the issuer junior to or pari passu with any APM Qualifying Securities the proceeds of which were used to settle deferred Distributions during the relevant deferral period until at least one year after all deferred Distributions have been paid.  For purposes of this definition of Mandatory Trigger Provision, (a) the issuer will not be obligated to issue (or use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to issue) any such APM Qualifying Securities for so long as a Market Disruption Event has occurred and is continuing; (b) if, due to a Market Disruption Event or otherwise, the issuer is able to raise and apply some, but not all, of the eligible proceeds necessary to pay all deferred Distributions on any Distribution Date, the issuer will apply any available eligible proceeds to pay accrued and unpaid Distributions on the applicable Distribution Date in chronological order subject to the Common Cap, the Preferred Cap and the Share Cap (if any), as applicable; and (c) if the issuer has outstanding more than one class or series of securities under which it is obligated to sell a

 

I-9



 

type of any such APM Qualifying Securities and applies some part of the proceeds to the payment of deferred Distributions, then on any date and for any period the amount of net proceeds received by the issuer from those sales and available for payment of deferred Distributions on such securities shall be applied to such securities on a pro rata basis up to the Common Cap, the Preferred Cap and the Share Cap (if any), as applicable, in proportion to the total amounts that are due on such securities.  No remedy other than Permitted Remedies will arise by the terms of such securities or related transaction agreements in favor of the holders of such securities as a result of the issuer’s failure to pay Distributions because of the Mandatory Trigger Provision or as a result of the issuer’s exercise of its right under an Optional Deferral Provision until Distributions have been deferred for one or more Distribution Periods that total together at least ten years.

 

“Market Disruption Event” means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events or sets of circumstances:

 

(i)                                     trading in securities generally, or in the securities of the issuer (or any Subsidiary of the issuer that may issue securities in settlement of an Alternative Payment Mechanism) specifically, on The New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which such securities are then listed or traded shall have been suspended or the settlement of such trading generally shall have been materially disrupted or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or market by the Commission, by the relevant exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental body having jurisdiction, and the establishment of such minimum prices materially disrupts or otherwise has a material adverse effect on trading in, or the issuance and sale of, such securities;

 

(ii)                                  the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) would be required to obtain the consent or approval of its shareholders (or the shareholders of a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) or a regulatory body (including, without limitation, any securities exchange) or governmental authority to issue APM Qualifying Securities or Qualifying Capital Securities and the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) fails to obtain that consent or approval notwithstanding the commercially reasonable efforts of the issuer (or such Subsidiary) to obtain that consent or approval or a regulatory authority instructs the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) not to sell or offer for sale such securities;

 

(iii)                               a banking moratorium shall have been declared by the federal or state authorities of the United States and such moratorium materially disrupts or otherwise has a material adverse effect on trading in, or the issuance and sale of, APM Qualifying Securities or Qualifying Capital Securities;

 

(iv)                              a material disruption shall have occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States and such disruption materially disrupts or otherwise has a material adverse effect on trading in, or the issuance and sale of, APM Qualifying Securities or Qualifying Capital Securities;

 

(v)                                 the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States, there shall have been a

 

I-10



 

declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States or there shall have occurred any other national or international calamity or crisis and such event materially disrupts or otherwise has a material adverse effect on trading in, or the issuance and sale of, APM Qualifying Securities;

 

(vi)                              there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general domestic or international economic, political or financial conditions, including without limitation as a result of terrorist activities, and such change materially disrupts or otherwise has a material adverse effect on trading in, or the issuance and sale of, APM Qualifying Securities or Qualifying Capital Securities;

 

(vii)                           an event occurs and is continuing as a result of which the offering document for the offer and sale of the APM Qualifying Securities or Qualifying Capital Securities would, in the reasonable judgment of the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)), contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in that offering document or necessary to make the statements in that offering document not misleading and either (A) the disclosure of that event at such time, in the reasonable judgment of the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)), would have a material adverse effect on the business of the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) or (B) the disclosure relates to a previously undisclosed proposed or pending material business transaction, the disclosure of which would impede the ability of the issuer or any Subsidiary to consummate that transaction, provided that no single suspension period contemplated by this paragraph (vii) shall exceed 90 consecutive days and multiple suspension periods contemplated by this paragraph (vii) shall not exceed an aggregate of 180 days in any 360-day period; or

 

(viii) the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) reasonably believes, for reasons other than those referred to in paragraph (vii) above, that the offering document for such offer and sale of APM Qualifying Securities or Qualifying Capital Securities would not be in compliance with a rule or regulation of the Commission and the issuer (or a Subsidiary as specified in clause (i)) is unable to comply with such rule or regulation or such compliance is unduly burdensome, provided that no single suspension period contemplated by this paragraph (viii) shall exceed 90 consecutive days and multiple suspension periods contemplated by this paragraph (viii) shall not exceed an aggregate of 180 days in any 360-day period.

 

The definition of “Market Disruption Event” or similar words as used in any securities or combination of securities that constitute Replacement Capital Securities may include less than all of the paragraphs outlined above, as determined by the issuer thereof at the time of issuance of such securities, and in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), as applicable to a circumstance where the issuer would otherwise endeavor to issue preferred stock, shall be limited to circumstances affecting markets where the issuer’s preferred stock trades or where a listing for its trading is being sought.

 

“Market Value” means, on any date, the closing sale price per share of Common Stock (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions by The New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not then

 

I-11



 

listed on The New York Stock Exchange, as reported by the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted; if the Common Stock is not either listed or quoted on any U.S. securities exchange on the relevant date, the Market Value will be the average of the mid-point of the bid and ask prices for the Common Stock on the relevant date submitted by at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.

 

“Measurement Period” with respect to any redemption, purchase or defeasance of Subordinated Debentures, means the period (i) beginning on the date that is 180 days prior to the date of delivery of notice of such redemption (such date of delivery, the “notice date”) or the date of such purchase or defeasance and (ii) ending on such notice date or the date of such purchase or defeasance.  Measurement Periods cannot run concurrently.

 

Most Junior Subordinated Debt” means debt securities of the Corporation that rank upon the issuer’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up junior to all of the issuer’s other long-term indebtedness for money borrowed (other than the issuer’s long-term indebtedness for money borrowed from time to time outstanding that by its terms ranks pari passu with such securities) and pari passu with the claims of the issuer’s trade creditors.  As of the date hereof, the term “Most Junior Subordinated Debt” shall include the Subordinated Debentures.

 

Non-Cumulative” means, with respect to any securities, that the issuer thereof may elect not to make any number of periodic Distributions without any remedy arising under the terms of the securities or related agreements in favor of the holders, other than one or more Permitted Remedies.  Securities that include an Alternative Payment Mechanism shall also be deemed to be Non-Cumulative for all purposes of this Replacement Capital Covenant except in the definition of “Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock.”

 

“Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock” means preferred or preference stock having Distributions which may be skipped by the issuer thereof for any number of Distribution Periods without any remedy arising under the terms of such securities or related transaction agreements in favor of the holders of such securities as a result of such issuer’s failure to pay Distributions, other than Permitted Remedies.

 

“NRSRO” means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

“Optional Deferral Provision” means, as to any security or combination of securities, a provision in the terms thereof or of the related transaction agreements, to the effect that the issuer thereof may, in its sole discretion, defer in whole or in part payment of Distributions on such securities for one or more consecutive Distribution Periods of up to ten years without any remedy other than Permitted Remedies as a result of such issuer’s failure to pay Distributions.

 

“Permitted Remedies” means, as to any security or combination of securities, any one or more of (i) rights in favor of the holders thereof permitting such holders to elect one or more directors of the issuer or its direct or indirect parent company (including any such rights required by the listing requirements of any stock or securities exchange on which such securities may be listed or traded) and (ii) complete or partial prohibitions on the issuer paying Distributions on or repurchasing Common Stock or other securities that rank pari passu with or junior as to

 

I-12



 

Distributions to such securities for so long as Distributions on such securities, including deferred Distributions, have not been paid in full or to such lesser extent as may be specified in the terms of such securities.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or corporation, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Preferred Cap” has the meaning specified in the definition of Alternative Payment Mechanism.

 

Purchase Restriction” has the meaning specified in the definition of Alternative Payment Mechanism.

 

Qualifying Capital Securities” means securities (other than Common Stock, Rights to acquire Common Stock, Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock and Debt Exchangeable for Equity) that rank pari passu with or junior to the Most Junior Subordinated Debt of the issuer upon its liquidation, dissolution or winding up and, in the determination of the Board of Directors reasonably construing the definitions and other terms of this Replacement Capital Covenant, meet one of the following criteria:

 

(a)                                  in connection with any redemption, defeasance or purchase of Subordinated Debentures prior to the Stepdown Date:

 

(i)                                                    securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years and (B) either (x) are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant and are Non-Cumulative or (y) have a Mandatory Trigger Provision and an Optional Deferral Provision and are subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure;

 

(ii)                                                 securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 31 years, (B) are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant, (C) have an Optional Deferral Provision and (D) have a Mandatory Trigger Provision; or

 

(iii)                                             securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years, (B) are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant and (C) have an Optional Deferral Provision;

 

(iv)                                             securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years and (B) are subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure and (C) are Non-Cumulative;

 

(v)                                                securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years,

 

I-13



 

(B) have an Optional Deferral Provision and (C) have a Mandatory Trigger Provision;

 

(vi)                                                     securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 31 years, (B) are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant and (C) are Non-Cumulative;

 

(vii)                                                  securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) either (x) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 31 years and are subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure or (y) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 21 years and are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant, (B) have an Optional Deferral Provision and (C) have a Mandatory Trigger Provision; or

 

(viii)                                               any other preferred stock issued by the Corporation that (A) has no prepayment obligation on the part of the issuer thereof, whether at the election of the holders or otherwise, (B) has no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years and (C) is subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant; or

 

(b)                                 in connection with any redemption, defeasance or purchase of the Subordinated Debentures on or after the Stepdown Date:

 

(i)                                                            all securities described under clause (a) of this definition;

 

(ii)                                                         securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years, (B) are subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure and (C) have an Optional Deferral Provision;

 

(iii)                                                      securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 31 years, (B) are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant and (C) have an Optional Deferral Provision;

 

(iv)                                                     securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) either (x) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 31 years and are subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure or (y) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 21 years and are subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant and (B) are Non-Cumulative;

 

(v)                                                        securities issued by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries that (A) have no maturity or a maturity of at least 21 years, (B) are subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure, (C) have an Optional Deferral Provision and (D) have a Mandatory Trigger Provision; or

 

I-14



 

(vi)                                                     any other preferred stock issued by the Corporation that (A) has no prepayment obligation on the part of the issuer thereof, whether at the election of the holders or otherwise and (B) either (x) has no maturity or a maturity of at least 51 years and is subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure or (y) has no maturity or a maturity of at least 31 years and is subject to an Explicit Replacement Covenant.

 

“Qualifying Preferred Stock” means Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Corporation that (i) ranks pari passu with or junior to other preferred stock of the issuer, (ii) is perpetual with no prepayment obligation on the part of the issuer thereof, whether at the election of the holders or otherwise, and (iii) either (x) is subject to an Explicit Replacement Capital Covenant or (y) is subject to Intent-Based Replacement Disclosure and has a provision that prohibits the Corporation from paying any dividends thereon upon its failure to satisfy one or more financial tests set forth in the terms of such securities or related transaction agreements.

 

“Qualifying Warrants” means net share settled warrants to purchase Common Stock that have an exercise price greater than the current Market Value of the issuer’s Common Stock as of their date of issuance, that do not entitle the issuer to redeem for cash and the holders of such warrants are not entitled to require the issuer to repurchase for cash in any circumstance.

 

“Redesignation Date” means, as to the then-effective Covered Debt, the earliest of (i) the date that is two years prior to the final maturity date of such Covered Debt, (ii) if the issuer elects to redeem or defease, or the Corporation or a majority-owned Subsidiary of the Corporation elects to purchase, such Covered Debt either in whole or in part with the consequence that after giving effect to such redemption, defeasance or purchase the outstanding principal amount of such Covered Debt is less than $100,000,000, the applicable redemption, defeasance or purchase date and (iii) if the then outstanding Covered Debt is not Eligible Subordinated Debt of the Corporation, the date on which the Corporation issues long-term indebtedness for money borrowed that is Eligible Subordinated Debt.

 

“Replacement Capital Covenant” has the meaning specified in the introduction to this instrument.

 

“Replacement Capital Securities” means securities that meet one or more of the following criteria in the determination of the Board of Directors reasonably construing the definitions and other terms of this Replacement Capital Covenant:

 

(i)                                     Common Stock,

 

(ii)                                  Rights to acquire Common Stock;

 

(iii)                               Debt Exchangeable for Equity;

 

(iv)                              Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock; and

 

(v)                                 Qualifying Capital Securities.

 

I-15



 

“Rights to acquire Common Stock” includes any right to acquire Common Stock, including any right to acquire Common Stock pursuant to a stock purchase plan or employee benefit plan.  Rights to acquire Common Stock shall include Qualifying Warrants.

 

Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Share Cap” has the meaning specified in the definition of Alternative Payment Mechanism.

 

“Stepdown Date” means the date that is 50 years prior to the maturity date, as it may be extended in accordance with the Supplemental Indenture, of the Subordinated Debentures, subject to the following provisos: (i) that the Stepdown Date for any Subordinated Debenture(s) for which a notice of redemption has been delivered shall be the date that is 50 years prior to the maturity date of the Subordinated Debenture(s) as of the date such notice of redemption was delivered and (ii) that if a redemption of such Subordinated Debenture(s) is not effectuated by the redemption date contained in such notice, provisio (i) shall have no effect.

 

“Subordinated Debentures” has the meaning specified in Recital A.

 

Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Person the shares of stock or other ownership interests of which having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such Person are at the time owned, or the management or policies of which are otherwise at the time controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries (including other Subsidiaries) or both, by another Person.

 

“Supplemental Indenture” means the First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 27, 2008, with respect to the Indenture.

 

“Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 4(a).

 

I-16


-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----