-----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, NewiKQCpXhDmTce61ZrEgxZL3Mu0xiuruVxQXmV0bh7B8CiVWiJDEqXkfQJEPTLM cB8a1O2j1aZG4KrDacXvkQ== 0001104659-07-014451.txt : 20070227 0001104659-07-014451.hdr.sgml : 20070227 20070227165412 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-07-014451 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 18 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20061231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070227 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070227 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP /CA/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001102112 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 330885320 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-30747 FILM NUMBER: 07653903 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6110 EL TORDO CITY: RANCHO SANTA FE STATE: CA ZIP: 92067 BUSINESS PHONE: 8587563023 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 275 NORTH BREA BLVD CITY: BREA STATE: CA ZIP: 92821 10-K 1 a07-4181_110k.htm 10-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

x                              ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

OR

o                                 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 00-30747


FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

California

 

33-0885320

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification Number)

401 West “A” Street

 

 

San Diego, California

 

92101-7917

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (619) 233-5588


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common stock, no par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o  No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “Accelerated Filer and Large Accelerated Filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one): Large Accelerated Filer x Accelerated Filer o Non-accelerated Filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) Yes o  No x

As of June 30, 2006, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the average high and low sales prices on the Nasdaq National Market as of the close of business on June 30, 2006, was approximately $1.3 billion. Registrant does not have any nonvoting common equities.

As of February 23, 2007, there were 28,825,229 shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding, excluding 899,147 shares of unvested restricted stock and unvested performance stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K will be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 




PART I

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Business

 

3

 

 

 

General

 

3

 

 

 

Strategic Evolution and Acquisition Strategy

 

4

 

 

 

Banking Business

 

6

 

 

 

Financial and Statistical Disclosure

 

10

 

 

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

10

 

 

 

Available Information

 

16

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

17

 

ITEM 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

18

 

ITEM 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

22

 

ITEM 2.

 

Properties

 

22

 

ITEM 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

22

 

ITEM 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

23

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

 

Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

24

 

 

 

Marketplace Designation, Sales Price Information and Holders

 

24

 

 

 

Dividends

 

24

 

 

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

26

 

 

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

26

 

 

 

Repurchases of Common Stock

 

27

 

 

 

Five Year Stock Performance Graph

 

28

 

ITEM 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

29

 

ITEM 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

30

 

 

 

Overview

 

30

 

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

31

 

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

32

 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

36

 

 

 

Financial Condition

 

43

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

51

 

 

 

Capital Resources

 

52

 

 

 

Liquidity

 

53

 

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

54

 

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

54

 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

54

 

ITEM 7A.

 

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

54

 

ITEM 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

61

 

 

 

Contents

 

61

 

 

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

62

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

63

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

65

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005

 

66

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004

 

67

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

68

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 

 

69

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

70

 

ITEM 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

106

 

ITEM 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

106

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

107

 

ITEM 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

107

 

ITEM 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

 

107

 

ITEM 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

107

 

ITEM 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

107

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

 

108

 

SIGNATURES

 

112

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

 

 

2




PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

We are a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Our principal business is to serve as a holding company for our banking subsidiary. As of December 31, 2006, our sole banking subsidiary is Pacific Western Bank, which we refer to as Pacific Western, or the Bank. As of December 31, 2005, our banking subsidiaries were Pacific Western National Bank which we also refer to as Pacific Western, and First National Bank, which we refer to as First National. As part of the previously announced plan of consolidation and conversion, Pacific Western National Bank filed an application with the California Department of Financial Institutions, or DFI, to convert from a national banking charter to a state-chartered bank under the name of Pacific Western Bank. This application was approved and the conversion of Pacific Western to a state-chartered bank occurred on September 13, 2006. Pacific Western also filed a notice with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to withdraw from membership in the Federal Reserve System and become a “nonmember” bank at the time of its conversion. Additionally, on October 26, 2006, following the completion of the acquisition of Community Bancorp Inc. and the subsequent merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, with and into First National, we completed our plan of consolidation by merging First National with and into Pacific Western, with Pacific Western as the surviving entity in an “as if” pooling transaction. All references to Pacific Western, or the Bank, prior to September 13, 2006 refer to Pacific Western National Bank, and references on or after September 13, 2006 refer to Pacific Western Bank.

On January 4, 2006, we acquired Cedars Bank, or Cedars, which was merged with and into Pacific Western. On May 9, 2006, we acquired Foothill Independent Bancorp, or Foothill. At the time of acquisition Foothill was merged with and into the First Community Bancorp and Foothill’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Foothill Independent Bank, was merged with and into Pacific Western. We refer to Pacific Western herein as the “Bank” and when we say “we”, “our” or the “Company”, we mean the Company on a consolidated basis with Pacific Western. When we refer to “First Community” or to the holding company, we are referring to the parent company on a stand-alone basis. Discussions about the Company and the Bank as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 include Cedars, Foothill and Community Bancorp from and after their respective dates of acquisition.

Pacific Western is a full-service community bank offering a broad range of banking products and services. We accept time and demand deposits, fund loans including real estate, construction, SBA and commercial loans, and offer other business oriented banking products. Our operations are primarily located in Southern California and the Bank focuses on conducting business with small to medium size businesses and the owners and employees of those businesses in our marketplace. We also operate in Arizona and Texas through our asset-based lending division and SBA loan production offices. At December 31, 2006, the Bank’s gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, totaled $4.2 billion, of which approximately 20% were commercial loans, 79% were commercial real estate loans, including construction loans, and 1% were consumer and other loans. These percentages include some foreign loans, primarily to individuals or entities with business in Mexico, representing 2% of total loans.

We derive our income primarily from the interest received on the various loan products, fees from providing deposit services, foreign exchange services and extending credit, and interest on investment securities. Our major operating expenses are the interest paid by the Bank on deposits and borrowings, employee compensation and general operating expenses. The Bank relies on a foundation of locally generated deposits. Our Bank has a relatively low cost of funds due to a high percentage of noninterest-bearing and low cost deposits. Our operations, like those of other financial institutions operating in Southern California, are significantly influenced by economic conditions in Southern California, including the strength of the real estate market, and the fiscal and regulatory policies of the federal and state government and the regulatory authorities that govern financial institutions. See “—Supervision and

3




Regulation.” With our SBA loan production offices and asset-based lending division with operations in Arizona and Texas, we are also subject to the economic conditions affecting those markets.

We are committed to maintaining premier, relationship-based community banking in Southern California which serves the needs of small to medium-sized businesses and the owners and employees of those businesses, as well as serving the needs of growing businesses that may not yet meet the credit standards of the Bank through tightly controlled asset-based lending and factoring of accounts receivable. The strategy for serving our target markets is the delivery of a finely-focused set of value-added products and services that satisfy the primary needs of our customers, emphasizing superior service and relationships as opposed to transaction volume or low pricing.

As of December 31, 2006, our assets totaled $5.6 billion. As of February 23, 2007, we have one wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Pacific Western, with 63 branches located in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties, California. Pacific Western’s business includes its asset-based lending and accounts receivable factoring division, doing business as First Community Financial, with a loan production office in Phoenix, Arizona and marketing offices in Austin, Texas and Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California.

Strategic Evolution and Acquisition Strategy

The Company was organized on October 22, 1999 as a California corporation for the purpose of becoming a bank holding company and to acquire all the outstanding capital stock of Rancho Santa Fe National Bank, First National’s predecessor.

We have grown rapidly through a series of acquisitions. The following chart summarizes the completed acquisitions since our inception, which are described in more detail below and in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Date

 

 

 

Institution/Company Acquired

May 2000

 

Rancho Santa Fe National Bank

May 2000

 

First Community Bank of the Desert

January 2001

 

Professional Bancorp, Inc.

October 2001

 

First Charter Bank

January 2002

 

Pacific Western National Bank

March 2002

 

W.H.E.C., Inc.

August 2002

 

Upland Bank

August 2002

 

Marathon Bancorp

September 2002

 

First National Bank

January 2003

 

Bank of Coronado

August 2003

 

Verdugo Banking Company

March 2004

 

First Community Financial Corporation

April 2004

 

Harbor National Bank

August 2005

 

First American Bank

October 2005

 

Pacific Liberty Bank

January 2006

 

Cedars Bank

May 2006

 

Foothill Independent Bancorp

October 2006

 

Community Bancorp Inc.

 

We have financed our acquisitions, in part, with cash raised from the sale of our common stock or from the issuance of subordinated debentures. In August and September 2005, we raised $49.0 million via the sale of 1.0 million shares of our common stock in a registered public offering, which we refer to as the 2005 offering. The proceeds of the 2005 offering were used to help fund the acquisition of First American Bank. In January 2006, we raised $109.5 million via the sale of 1.9 million shares of our common stock in a registered public offering. The proceeds of the January 2006 offering were used to provide regulatory

4




capital to support the acquisition of Cedars Bank. We have outstanding a total of $149.2 million in subordinated debentures as follows: $8.2 million issued in 2000, $10.3 million in 2002, $20.6 million issued in 2003, $61.9 million issued in 2004, and $48.2 million acquired in our acquisitions of Foothill and Community Bancorp. In December 2006, we retired $20.6 million of subordinated debentures issued in 2001. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” As described in more detail below, we have also financed the acquisitions with the exchange of our common stock for the stock of the target company. Below is a summary of the acquisitions which have occurred since the beginning of 2004.

First Community Financial Corporation

On March 1, 2004, we acquired First Community Financial Corporation, or FC Financial, a privately-held commercial finance company based in Phoenix, Arizona. We paid $40.0 million in cash for all of the outstanding common stock and options of FC Financial. At the time of the acquisition, FC Financial became a wholly-owned subsidiary of First National. On October 26, 2006, as part of the merger of First National with Pacific Western, FC Financial became an operating division of Pacific Western.

Harbor National Bank Acquisition

On April 16, 2004, we acquired Harbor National. We paid approximately $35.7 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares of common stock and options of Harbor National. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Orange County, California. At the time of the acquisition, Harbor National was merged into Pacific Western.

First American Bank Acquisition

On August 12, 2005, we acquired First American Bank, or First American, based in Rosemead, California. We paid approximately $59.7 million in cash to First American shareholders, and caused First American to pay $2.6 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase First American common stock. The aggregate deal value was approximately $62.3 million. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Los Angeles County, California. At the time of the acquisition, First American was merged into Pacific Western.

Pacific Liberty

On October 7, 2005, we acquired Pacific Liberty Bank, or Pacific Liberty, based in Huntington Beach, California. We issued approximately 784,000 shares of our common stock to the Pacific Liberty shareholders and caused Pacific Liberty to pay $5.0 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase Pacific Liberty common stock. The aggregate deal value was approximately $41.6 million. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Orange County, California. At the time of the acquisition, Pacific Liberty was merged into Pacific Western.

Cedars Bank

On January 4, 2006, we acquired Cedars Bank, or Cedars, based in Los Angeles, California. We paid approximately $120.0 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares of common stock and options of Cedars. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Los Angeles, California. At the time of the acquisition, Cedars was merged into Pacific Western. In January 2006, we issued 1,891,086 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $109.5 million. We used these proceeds to augment our regulatory capital in support of the Cedars acquisition.

5




Foothill Independent Bancorp

On May 9, 2006, we acquired Foothill Independent Bancorp, or Foothill, based in Glendora, California. We issued approximately 3,947,000 shares of our common stock to the Foothill shareholders and caused Foothill to pay $10.2 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase Foothill common stock. The aggregate deal value was approximately $242.5 million. At the time of the acquisition, Foothill was merged with and into the Company and Foothill Independent Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Foothill, was merged with and into Pacific Western. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties of California.

Community Bancorp Inc.

On October 26, 2006, we acquired Community Bancorp Inc., or Community Bancorp, based in Escondido, California. We issued approximately 4,678,000 shares of our common stock to the Community Bancorp shareholders and caused Community Bancorp to pay $6.1 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase Community Bancorp common stock. The aggregate deal value for financial reporting purposes was approximately $268.7 million. At the time of the acquisition, Community Bancorp was merged with and into the Company and Community National Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Bancorp, was merged with and into First National. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in the San Diego and Riverside Counties of California.

Banking Business

The Bank is a full-service community bank that offers a broad range of banking products and services, including many types of business and personal savings and checking accounts and other commercial and consumer banking services, including foreign exchange services. We derive our income primarily from the interest received on the various loan products, fees from providing deposit services, foreign exchange services and extending credit, and interest on investment securities. The Bank originates several types of loans, including secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans, SBA loans and construction loans. We extend credit to customers located primarily in the counties we serve and through certain programs, we also extend credit and make commercial and real estate loans to businesses located in Mexico. Special services, including international banking services, multi-state deposit services and investment services, or requests beyond the lending limits of the Bank can be arranged through correspondent banks. The Bank issues ATM and debit cards, has a network of ATMs and offers access to ATM networks through other major service providers. Through the Bank, we provide these banking and financial services throughout Southern California to small and medium-sized businesses and the owners and employees of those businesses. We also provide asset-based lending and factoring of accounts receivable to small businesses located throughout the southwestern United States through our loan production office in Phoenix, Arizona and marketing offices in Austin, Texas and Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California.

Through the Bank, the Company concentrates its lending activities in four principal areas:

(1)   Real Estate Loans.   Real estate loans are comprised of construction loans, miniperm loans collateralized by first or junior deeds of trust on specific commercial properties and equity lines of credit. The properties collateralizing real estate loans are principally located in our primary market areas of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties in California and the contiguous communities. Construction loans are comprised of loans on commercial, residential and income producing properties that generally have terms of less than two years and typically bear an interest rate that floats with the Bank’s base rate, prime rate or another established index. Miniperm loans finance the purchase and/or ownership of commercial properties, including owner-occupied and income producing properties. Miniperm loans are generally made with an amortization schedule ranging from 15 to 25 years with a lump sum balloon payment due in one to ten years. Equity lines of

6




credit are revolving lines of credit collateralized by junior deeds of trust on residential real properties. They generally bear a rate of interest that floats with the Bank’s base rate or the prime rate and have maturities of five years. From time to time, we purchase participation interests in loans originated by other financial institutions. These loans are subject generally to the same underwriting criteria and approval process as loans originated directly by us.

The Bank’s real estate portfolio is subject to certain risks, including, but not limited to (i) a possible downturn in the Southern California economy, (ii) interest rate increases, (iii) reduction in real estate values in Southern California, (iv) increased competition in pricing and loan structure, and (v) environmental risks, including natural disasters. We strive to reduce the exposure to such risks by (a) reviewing each loan request and renewal individually, (b) using a dual signature approval system for the approval of each loan request for loans over a certain dollar amount, (c) adhering to written loan policies, including, among other factors, minimum collateral requirements, maximum loan-to-value ratio requirements, cash flow requirements and personal guarantees, (d) obtaining secondary appraisals, (e) obtaining external independent credit reviews, (f) evaluating concentrations as a percentage of capital and loans, and (g) conducting environmental reviews, where appropriate. We review each loan request on the basis of our ability to recover both principal and interest in view of the inherent risks.

(2)   Commercial Loans.   Commercial loans are made to finance operations, to provide working capital, or for specific purposes, such as to finance the purchase of assets, equipment or inventory. Since a borrower’s cash flow from operations is generally the primary source of repayment, our policies provide specific guidelines regarding required debt coverage and other important financial ratios. Commercial loans include lines of credit and commercial term loans. Lines of credit are extended to businesses or individuals based on the financial strength and integrity of the borrower and generally (with some exceptions) are collateralized by short-term assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or real estate and have a maturity of one year or less. Such lines of credit bear an interest rate that floats with the Bank’s base rate, the prime rate, LIBOR or another established index. Commercial term loans are typically made to finance the acquisition of fixed assets, refinance short-term debt originally used to purchase fixed assets or, in rare cases, to finance the purchase of businesses. Commercial term loans generally have terms from one to five years. They may be collateralized by the asset being acquired or other available assets and bear interest rates which either float with the Bank’s base rate, the prime rate, LIBOR or another established index or is fixed for the term of the loan.

The Bank’s portfolio of commercial loans is subject to certain risks, including, but not limited to (i) a possible downturn in the Southern California economy, (ii) interest rate increases, (iii) deterioration of the value of the underlying collateral, and (iv) the deterioration of a borrower’s or guarantor’s financial capabilities. We strive to reduce the exposure to such risks through (a) reviewing each loan request and renewal individually, (b) using a dual signature approval system, (c) adhering to written loan policies, (d) obtaining independent credit reviews, and (e) in the case of certain commercial loans to Mexican or foreign entities, third party insurance which limits our exposure to anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of the underlying loan. In addition, loans based on short-term asset values and factoring arrangements are monitored on a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly basis and may include lockbox or control account arrangements. In general, the Bank receives and reviews financial statements and other documents of borrowing customers on an ongoing basis during the term of the relationship and responds to any deterioration noted.

(3)   SBA Loans.   The Bank makes SBA loans through programs designed by the federal government to assist the small business community in obtaining financing from financial institutions that are given government guarantees as an incentive to make the loans. Our SBA loans fall into two categories, loans originated under the SBA’s 7a Program (“7a Loans”) and loans originated under the SBA’s 504 Program (“504 Loans”). SBA 7a Loans are commercial business loans generally made for

7




the purpose of purchasing real estate to be occupied by the business owner, providing working capital, and/or purchasing equipment, accounts receivable or inventory. SBA 504 Loans are collateralized by commercial real estate and are generally made to business owners for the purpose of purchasing or improving real estate for their use and for equipment used in their business.

SBA lending is subject to federal legislation that can affect the availability and funding of the program. From time to time, this dependence on legislative funding causes limitations and uncertainties with regard to the continued funding of such programs, which could potentially have an adverse financial impact on our business.

The Bank’s portfolio of SBA loans is subject to certain risks, including, but not limited to (i) a possible downturn in the Southern California economy, (ii) interest rate increases, (iii) deterioration of the value of the underlying collateral, and (iv) the deterioration of a borrower’s or guarantor’s financial capabilities. We strive to reduce the exposure of such risks through (a) reviewing each loan request and renewal individually, (b) using a dual signature approval system, (c) adhering to written loan policies, (d) adhering to SBA written policies and regulations, and (e) obtaining independent credit reviews. In addition, SBA loans normally require monthly installment payments of principal and interest and therefore are continually monitored for past due conditions. In general, the Bank receives and reviews financial statements and other documents of borrowing customers on an ongoing basis during the term of the relationship and responds to any deterioration noted.

(4)   Consumer Loans.   Consumer loans include personal loans, auto loans, boat loans, home improvement loans, equipment loans, revolving lines of credit and other loans typically made by banks to individual borrowers. The Bank’s consumer loan portfolio is subject to certain risks, including (i) amount of credit offered to consumers in the market, (ii) interest rate increases, and (iii) consumer bankruptcy laws which allow consumers to discharge certain debts. We strive to reduce the exposure to such risks through the direct approval of all consumer loans by (a) reviewing each loan request and renewal individually, (b) using a dual signature approval system, (c) adhering to written credit policies, and (d) obtaining external independent credit reviews.

As part of our efforts to achieve long-term stable profitability and respond to a changing economic environment in Southern California and in other areas where we operate, we constantly evaluate a variety of options to augment our traditional focus by broadening the services and products we provide. Possible avenues of growth include more branch locations, expanded days and hours of operation and new types of loan and deposit products. To date, we have not expanded into areas of brokerage, annuity, insurance or similar investment products and services and have concentrated primarily on the core businesses of accepting deposits, making loans and extending credit.

Business Concentrations

No individual or single group of related accounts is considered material in relation to our total assets or to the assets or deposits of the Bank, or in relation to the overall business of the Company. However, approximately 79% of our loan portfolio held for investment at December 31, 2006 consisted of real estate-related loans, including construction loans, miniperm loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans and commercial loans secured by commercial real estate. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Loans.” Moreover, our business activities are currently focused primarily in Southern California, with the majority of our business concentrated in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. Consequently, our results of operations and financial condition are dependent upon the general trends in the Southern California economies and, in particular, the residential and commercial real estate markets. In addition, the concentration of our operations in Southern California exposes us to greater risk than other banking companies with a wider geographic base in the event of catastrophes, such as earthquakes, fires and floods in this region. We conduct foreign lending activities including commercial and real estate lending, consisting predominantly of loans to individuals or entities located in Mexico. All of our foreign loans are

8




denominated in U.S. dollars and most are collateralized by assets located in the United States or guaranteed or insured by businesses located in the United States. We recently decided to allow our foreign loan portfolio to repay in the ordinary course of business without making any new privately-insured foreign loans other than those under existing commitments. We also conduct asset-based lending and factoring of accounts receivable primarily in the states of Arizona, California and Texas.

Competition

The banking business in California, specifically in the Bank’s primary service areas, is highly competitive with respect to originating both loans and deposits as well as other banking and mortgage banking services. The market is dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with a large number of offices and full-service operations over a wide geographic area. Among the advantages such major banks have in comparison to the Bank is their ability to finance and engage in wide-ranging advertising campaigns and to allocate their investment assets to regions of higher yield and demand. These competitors offer certain services which we do not offer directly. In addition, by virtue of their greater total capitalization, such banks have substantially higher lending limits than we offer. Other entities, in both the public and private sectors, seeking to raise capital through the issuance and sale of debt or equity securities also compete with us for the acquisition of deposits. In recent years, increased competition has also developed from specialized finance and non-finance companies that offer wholesale finance, credit card and other consumer finance services (including on-line banking services and personal financial software). Competition for deposit and loan products remains strong from both banking and non-banking institutions and this competition directly affects the rates of those products and the terms on which they are offered to consumers and businesses.

Technological innovation continues to contribute to greater competition in domestic and international financial services markets. Technological innovation has, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services previously limited to traditional banking products. In addition, customers now expect a choice of several delivery systems and channels, including telephone, mail, home computer, ATMs, self-service branches and in-store branches.

Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on banks within the industry to consolidate their operations, reduce expenses and increase revenues to remain competitive. In addition, competition has intensified due to federal and state interstate banking laws, which permit banking organizations to expand geographically with fewer restrictions than in the past. These laws allow banks to merge with other banks across state lines, thereby enabling banks to establish or expand banking operations in our most significant markets. The competitive environment is also significantly affected by federal and state legislation which make it easier for non-bank financial institutions to compete with us.

Economic factors, along with legislative and technological changes, will have an ongoing impact on the competitive environment within the financial services industry. We strive to anticipate and adapt to dynamic competitive conditions, but we can make no assurance as to the effectiveness of these efforts on our future business or results of operations or as to our continued ability to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions. In order to compete with other financial services providers in our primary service areas, we attempt to use, to the fullest extent possible, the flexibility which our independent status permits, including an emphasis on specialized services, local promotional activity and personal contacts. Our Bank strives to offer highly personalized banking services. In addition, we intend to continue improving our services and banking products. We believe that through the cross-marketing of products, and our focus on tailoring our services to the needs of our customers, our Bank can distinguish itself from other community banks with which we compete based on the range of services provided and products offered. However, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to sufficiently improve our services and/or banking products or successfully compete in our primary service areas.

9




Employees

As of February 16, 2007, Pacific Western had 988 full time equivalent employees and First Community had 22 full time equivalent employees.

Financial and Statistical Disclosure

Certain of our statistical information is presented within “Item 6. Selected Financial Data,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk.” This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Supervision and Regulation

General

The banking and financial services business in which we engage is highly regulated. Such regulation is intended, among other things, to protect depositors insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, and the entire banking system. The commercial banking business is also influenced by the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of the Federal Reserve Bank, or FRB. The FRB implements national monetary policies (with objectives such as curbing inflation and combating recession) by its open-market operations in United States Government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial intermediaries subject to its reserve requirements and by varying the discount rates applicable to borrowings by depository institutions. The actions of the FRB in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. Indirectly, such actions may also impact the ability of non-bank financial institutions to compete with the Bank. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary policies cannot be predicted.

The laws, regulations and policies affecting financial services businesses are continuously under review by Congress, state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies. From time to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial intermediaries. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of banks, bank holding companies and other financial intermediaries are frequently made in Congress, in the California legislature and by various bank regulatory agencies and other professional agencies. Changes in the laws, regulations or policies that impact us cannot necessarily be predicted, but they may have a material effect on our business and earnings.

Bank Holding Company Regulation

As a bank holding company, First Community is registered with and subject to regulation by the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the BHCA. In accordance with FRB policy, First Community is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank in circumstances where it might not otherwise do so. Similarly, under the cross-guarantee provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the FDIC can hold any FDIC-insured depository institution liable for any loss suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to such a commonly controlled institution. Under the BHCA, we are subject to periodic examination by the FRB. We are also required to file with the FRB periodic reports of our operations and such additional information regarding the Company and its subsidiaries as the FRB may require. Pursuant to the BHCA, we are required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before we acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank or ownership or control of voting shares of any bank if, after

10




giving effect to such acquisition, we would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5 percent of such bank.

Under the BHCA, we may not engage in any business other than managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to our subsidiaries that the FRB deems to be so closely related to banking as “to be a proper incident thereto.” We are also prohibited, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5 percent of the voting shares of any company unless the company is engaged in banking activities or the FRB determines that the activity is so closely related to banking to be a proper incident to banking. The FRB’s approval must be obtained before the shares of any such company can be acquired and, in certain cases, before any approved company can open new offices.

Additionally, bank holding companies that meet certain eligibility requirements prescribed by the BHCA and elect to operate as financial holding companies may engage in, or own shares in companies engaged in, a wider range of nonbanking activities, including securities and insurance activities and any other activity that the FRB, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines by regulation or order is financial in nature, incidental to any such financial activity or complementary to any such financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally. As of the date of this filing, we do not operate as a financial holding company.

The BHCA and regulations of the FRB also impose certain constraints on the redemption or purchase by a bank holding company of its own shares of stock.

Our earnings and activities are affected by legislation, by regulations and by local legislative and administrative bodies and decisions of courts in the jurisdictions in which we and the Bank conduct business. For example, these include limitations on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. It is the policy of the FRB that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends that subsidiary banks and savings associations can pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval. In addition to these explicit limitations, the federal regulatory agencies have general authority to prohibit a banking subsidiary or bank holding company from engaging in an unsafe or unsound banking practice. Depending upon the circumstances, the agencies could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice. In addition, as discussed below under “—Regulation of the Bank”, a bank holding company such as the Company is required to maintain minimum ratios of Tier 1 capital and total capital to total risk-weighted assets, as well as a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total adjusted quarterly average assets as defined in such regulations.

In addition, banking subsidiaries of bank holding companies are subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law in dealings with their holding companies and other affiliates. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Federal Reserve Act, a bank can make a loan or extend credit to an affiliate, purchase or invest in the securities of an affiliate, purchase assets from an affiliate, accept securities of an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any person or company, issue a guarantee or accept letters of credit on behalf of an affiliate only if the aggregate amount of the above transactions of such subsidiary does not exceed 10 percent of such subsidiary’s capital stock and surplus on an individual basis or 20 percent of such subsidiary’s capital stock and surplus on an aggregate basis. Such transactions must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices. A bank holding company and its subsidiaries generally may not purchase a “low-quality asset,” as that term is defined in the Federal Reserve Act, from an affiliate. Such restrictions also prevent a holding company and its other affiliates from borrowing from a banking subsidiary of the holding company unless the loans are secured by collateral.

11




The FRB has cease and desist powers over parent bank holding companies and non-banking subsidiaries where the action of a parent bank holding company or its non-financial institutions represent an unsafe or unsound practice or violation of law. The FRB has the authority to regulate debt obligations, other than commercial paper, issued by bank holding companies by imposing interest ceilings and reserve requirements on such debt obligations.

Regulation of the Bank

The Bank is extensively regulated under both federal and state law.

Pacific Western is insured by the FDIC, which currently insures non-IRA deposits of each insured bank to a maximum of $100,000 per depositor. For this protection, Pacific Western, as is the case with all insured banks, pays a quarterly statutory assessment and is subject to the rules and regulations of the FDIC. Additionally, Pacific Western is a state-chartered bank and is regulated by the DFI.

Various requirements and restrictions under federal and state law affect the operations of the Bank. Federal and state statutes and regulations relate to many aspects of the Bank’s operations, including standards for safety and soundness, reserves against deposits, interest rates payable on deposits and loans, investments, mergers and acquisitions, borrowings, dividends, locations of branch offices, fair lending requirements, Community Reinvestment Act activities and loans to affiliates.

Further, each of the Company and the Bank is required to maintain certain levels of capital. The FRB and the FDIC have substantially similar risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio guidelines for banking organizations. The guidelines are intended to ensure that banking organizations have adequate capital given the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Under the guidelines, banking organizations are required to maintain minimum ratios for Tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit). For purposes of calculating the ratios, a banking organization’s assets and some of its specified off-balance sheet commitments and obligations are assigned to various risk categories. A depository institution’s or holding company’s capital, in turn, is classified in one of three tiers, depending on type:

·       Core Capital (Tier 1).   Tier 1 capital includes common equity, retained earnings, qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, a limited amount of qualifying cumulative perpetual stock at the holding company level, minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, and qualifying trust preferred securities less goodwill, most intangible assets and certain other assets.

·       Supplementary Capital (Tier 2).   Tier 2 capital includes, among other things, perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities not meeting the Tier 1 definition, qualifying mandatory convertible debt securities, qualifying subordinated debt, and allowances for possible loan and lease losses, subject to limitations.

·       Market Risk Capital (Tier 3).   Tier 3 capital includes qualifying unsecured subordinated debt.

The following are the regulatory capital guidelines and the actual capitalization levels for Pacific Western and the Company as of December 31, 2006:

 

 

Adequately
Capitalized

 

Well
Capitalized

 

Pacific
Western

 

Company
Consolidated

 

 

 

(greater than or equal to)

 

Total risk-based capital ratio

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

10.00

%

 

 

12.17

%

 

 

12.18

%

 

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

6.00

%

 

 

10.93

%

 

 

10.94

%

 

Tier 1 leverage capital ratio

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

5.00

%

 

 

12.40

%

 

 

12.19

%

 

 

The Company issued subordinated debentures to trusts that were established by us or entities we have acquired, which, in turn, issued trust preferred securities, which totaled $141.0 million at December 31, 2006. This includes $43.0 million of trust preferred securities acquired in the Foothill and Community

12




Bancorp acquisitions. During the fourth quarter of 2006, we also retired $20.0 million of our trust preferred securities. Our trust preferred securities are currently included in our Tier I capital for purposes of determining the Company’s Tier I and total risk-based capital ratios. The FRB, which is the holding company’s banking regulator, has promulgated a modification of the capital regulations affecting trust preferred securities. Under this modification, effective March 31, 2009, the Company will be required to use a more restrictive formula to determine the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in regulatory Tier I capital. At that time, the Company will be allowed to include in Tier I capital an amount of trust preferred securities equal to no more than 25% of the sum of all core capital elements, which is generally defined as shareholders’ equity, less goodwill net of any related deferred income tax liability. The regulations currently in effect through December 31, 2008 limit the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in Tier I capital to 25% of the sum of core capital elements without a deduction for goodwill. We have determined that our Tier I capital ratios would remain above the well-capitalized level had the modification of the capital regulations been in effect at December 31, 2006. We expect that our Tier I capital ratios will be at or above the existing well capitalized levels on March 31, 2009, the first date on which the modified capital regulations must be applied.

The FDIC and FRB risk-based capital guidelines are based upon the 1988 capital accord of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, or BIS. The BIS is a committee of central banks and bank supervisors/regulators from the major industrialized countries that develops broad policy guidelines that each country’s supervisors can use to determine the supervisory policies they apply. The BIS has been working for a number of years on revisions to the 1988 capital accord and in June 2004 released the final version of its proposed new capital framework, with an update in November 2005, or BIS II. BIS II proposes two approaches for setting capital standards for credit risk—an internal ratings-based approach tailored to individual institutions’ circumstances (which for many asset classes is itself broken into a “foundation” approach and an “advanced” or “A-IRB” approach, the availability of which is subject to additional restrictions) and a standardized approach that bases risk weightings on external credit assessments to a much greater extent than permitted in existing risk-based capital guidelines. BIS II also would set capital requirements for operational risk and refine the existing capital requirements for market risk exposures.

The U.S. banking and thrift agencies are developing proposed revisions to their existing capital adequacy regulations and standards based on BIS II. In September 2006, the agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking setting forth a definitive proposal for implementing BIS II in the United States that would apply only to internationally active banking organizations—defined as those with consolidated total assets of $250 billion or more or consolidated on-balance sheet foreign exposures of $10 billion or more—but that other U.S. banking organizations could elect but would not be required to apply. In December 2006, the agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking describing proposed amendments to their existing risk-based capital guidelines to make them more risk-sensitive, generally following aspects of the standardized approach of BIS II. These latter proposed amendments, often referred to as “BIS I-A”, would apply to banking organizations that are not internationally active banking organizations subject to the A-IRB approach for internationally active banking organizations and do not “opt in” to that approach. The comment periods for both of the agencies’ notices of proposed rulemakings expire on March 26, 2007.  The agencies have indicated their intent to have the A-IRB provisions for internationally active U.S. banking organizations first become effective in March 2009 and that those provisions and the BIS I-A provisions for others will be implemented on similar timeframes.

The Company is not an internationally active banking organization, as defined in BIS II, and has not made a determination as to whether it would opt to apply the A-IRB provisions applicable to internationally active U.S. banking organizations once they become effective.

13




Prompt Corrective Action

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, or FDICIA, requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions, including but not limited to those that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios. Pursuant to FDICIA, the FDIC promulgated regulations defining the following five categories in which an insured depository institution will be placed, based on the level of its capital ratios: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Under the prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA, an insured depository institution generally will be classified as undercapitalized if its total risk-based capital is less than 8% or its Tier 1 risk-based capital or leverage ratio is less than 4%. An institution that, based upon its capital levels, is classified as “well capitalized”, “adequately capitalized” or “undercapitalized” may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition or an unsafe or unsound practice warrants such treatment. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions and prohibitions, including restrictions on growth, prohibitions on payment of dividends and restrictions on the acceptance of brokered deposits. Furthermore, if a bank is classified in one of the undercapitalized categories, it is required to submit a capital restoration plan to the federal bank regulator, and the holding company must guarantee the performance of that plan.

In addition to measures taken under the prompt corrective action provisions, commercial banking organizations may be subject to potential enforcement actions by the federal or state banking agencies for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency. Enforcement actions may include the imposition of a conservator or receiver, the issuance of a cease-and-desist order that can be judicially enforced, the termination of insurance of deposits (in the case of a depository institution), the imposition of civil money penalties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, the issuance of formal and informal agreements, the issuance of removal and prohibition orders against institution-affiliated parties. The enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders may be based upon a judicial determination that the agency would be harmed if such equitable relief was not granted.

Hazardous Waste Clean-Up

Since we are not involved in any business that manufactures, uses or transports chemicals, waste, pollutants or toxins that might have a material adverse effect on the environment, our primary exposure to environmental laws is through our lending activities and through properties or businesses we may own, lease or acquire. Based on a general survey of the Bank’s loan portfolio, conversations with local appraisers and the type of lending currently and historically done by the Bank, we are not aware of any potential liability for hazardous waste contamination that would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as of February 16, 2007.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

On July 30, 2002, the President signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act aims to restore the credibility lost as a result of high profile corporate scandals by addressing, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. The Nasdaq Stock Market has adopted corporate governance rules intended to allow shareholders to more easily and effectively monitor the performance of companies and directors. The principal provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, many of which have been interpreted through regulations released in 2003, provide for and include, among other things: (i) the creation of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (ii) auditor independence provisions that restrict non-audit services that accountants may provide to their audit clients; (iii) additional corporate governance and

14




responsibility measures, including the requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of a public company certify financial statements; (iv) the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement; (v) an increase in the oversight of, and enhancement of certain requirements relating to, audit committees of public companies and how they interact with that company’s independent auditors; (vi) requirements that audit committee members must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer; (vii) requirements that companies disclose whether at least one member of the audit committee is a “financial expert’ (as such term is defined by the SEC) and if not disclosed, why the audit committee does not have a financial expert; (viii) expanded disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, including accelerated reporting of stock transactions by insiders and a prohibition on insider trading during pension blackout periods; (ix) a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except certain loans made by insured financial institutions on nonpreferential terms and in compliance with other bank regulatory requirements; (x) disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code; (xi) a range of enhanced penalties for fraud and other violations; and (xii) expanded disclosure and certification relating to an issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.

As a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and its implementing regulations, we have incurred substantial costs to interpret and ensure compliance with the law and its regulations. Future changes in the laws, regulation, or policies that impact us cannot necessarily be predicted and may have a material effect on our business and earnings.

USA Patriot Act

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”), designed to deny terrorists and others the ability to obtain access to the United States financial system, has significant implications for depository institutions, brokers, dealers and other businesses involved in the transfer of money. The Patriot Act, as implemented by various federal regulatory agencies, requires financial institutions, including the Company, to implement new policies and procedures or amend existing policies and procedures with respect to, among other matters, anti-money laundering, compliance, suspicious activity and currency transaction reporting and due diligence on customers. The Patriot Act and its underlying regulations also permit information sharing for counter-terrorist purposes between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, subject to certain conditions, and require the FRB, the FDIC and other federal banking agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of an applicant in combating money laundering activities when considering applications filed under Section 3 of the BHCA or the Bank Merger Act. The Company has augmented its systems and procedures to accomplish this. We believe that the ongoing cost of compliance with the Patriot Act is not likely to be material to the Company.

Federal Deposit Insurance

Because of favorable loss experience and a healthy reserve ratio in the Bank Insurance Fund, or the BIF, of the FDIC, well-capitalized and well-managed banks, including the Bank, have in recent years paid minimal premiums for FDIC insurance. The FDIC notified banks that beginning in 2007, it will increase the premiums for deposit insurance. Concurrently, a deposit premium refund, in the form of credit offsets, was granted to banks that were in existence on December 31, 1996 and paid deposit insurance premiums prior to that date. Pacific Western and many of our acquired institutions meet the qualifications and are eligible for the credit. The credit is to be used to offset future premiums. Because of these credits, we have no expectation of paying any deposit insurance premiums in 2007. The amount of any future premiums will depend on the BIF loss experience, legislation or regulatory initiatives and other factors, none of which we are in position to predict at this time.

15




Community Reinvestment Act

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) generally requires insured depository institutions to identify the communities they serve and to make loans and investments and provide services that meet the credit needs of these communities. Furthermore, the CRA requires the FDIC to evaluate the performance of banks in helping to meet the credit needs of its communities. During these examinations, the FDIC rates such institutions’ compliance with CRA as “Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” “Needs to Improve” or “Substantial Noncompliance.” Failure of an institution to receive at least a “Satisfactory” rating could inhibit such institution or its holding company from undertaking certain activities. The FDIC must take into account the record of performance of banks in meeting the credit needs of the entire community served, including low-and moderate-income neighborhoods. As a part of the CRA program, the Bank is subject to periodic examinations by the FDIC, and must maintain comprehensive records of its CRA activities for this purpose. The Bank received a CRA rating of “Satisfactory” as of its most recent examination.

Customer Information Security

The FRB and other bank regulatory agencies have adopted final guidelines for safeguarding confidential, personal customer information. These guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its board of directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to create, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazard to the security or integrity of such information and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. We have adopted a customer information security program to comply with such requirements.

Privacy

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and the California Financial Information Privacy Act require financial institutions to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. In general, the statutes require explanations to consumers on policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, except as otherwise required by law, prohibits disclosing such information except as provided in the Bank’s policies and procedures. Pacific Western has implemented privacy policies addressing these restrictions which are distributed regularly to all existing and new customers of the Bank.

Available Information

We maintain an Internet website at www.firstcommunitybancorp.com, and a website for Pacific Western at www.pacificwesternbank.com. At www.firstcommunitybancorp.com and via the “Investor Relations” link at the Bank’s website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such forms are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, located at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may obtain copies of the Company’s filings on the SEC site. These documents may also be obtained in print upon request by our shareholders to our Investor Relations Department.

We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including our principal executive officer and senior financial officers, in accordance with

16




Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated there under. The code of ethics, which we call our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, is available on our corporate web site, www.firstcommunitybancorp.com in the section entitled “Corporate Governance.” In the event that we make changes in, or provide waivers from, the provisions of this code of ethics that the SEC requires us to disclose, we intend to disclose these events on our corporate web site in such section. In the Corporate Governance section of our corporate web site, we have also posted the charters for our Audit Committee and our Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines. In addition, information concerning purchases and sales of our equity securities by our executive officers and directors is posted on our web site.

Our Investor Relations Department can be contacted at First Community Bancorp, 275 N. Brea Blvd., Brea, CA 92821, Attention: Investor Relations, telephone 714-671-6800, or via e-mail to investor-relations@firstcommunitybancorp.com.

(All website addresses given in this document are for information only and are not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website information into this document.)

Forward-Looking Information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking information about the Company, which statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company. We caution readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

·       planned acquisitions and relative cost savings from completed acquisitions cannot be realized or realized within the expected time frame;

·       revenues are lower than expected;

·       credit quality deterioration which could cause an increase in the provision for credit losses;

·       competitive pressure among depository institutions increases significantly;

·       the integration of acquired businesses costs more, takes longer or is less successful than expected;

·       the possibility that personnel changes will not proceed as planned;

·       the cost of additional capital is more than expected;

·       a change in the interest rate environment reduces interest margins;

·       asset/liability repricing risks and liquidity risks;

·       general economic conditions, either nationally or in the market areas in which the Company does or anticipates doing business, are less favorable than expected;

·       the economic and regulatory effects of the continuing war on terrorism and other events of war, including the war in Iraq and related disturbances in the Middle East;

·       legislative or regulatory requirements or changes adversely affect First Community Bancorp’s business;

·       changes in the securities markets; and

·       regulatory approvals for announced or future acquisitions cannot be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule.

17




If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, First Community Bancorp’s results could differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. First Community Bancorp assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning risk and uncertainties related to us and our operations, please refer to Items 1 through 7A of this Annual Report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Ownership of our common stock involves risk. You should carefully consider, in addition to the other information set forth herein, the following risk factors.

Our business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect our financial performance.

Changes in the interest rate environment may reduce our profits. It is expected that we will continue to realize income from the differential or “spread” between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest earning assets, and interest paid on deposits, borrowings and other interest bearing liabilities. Net interest spreads are affected by the difference between the maturities and repricing characteristics of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. In addition, loan volume and yields are affected by market interest rates on loans, and rising interest rates generally are associated with a lower volume of loan originations. We cannot assure you that we can minimize our interest rate risk. In addition, while an increase in the general level of interest rates may increase our net interest margin and loan yield, it may adversely affect the ability of certain borrowers with variable rate loans to pay the interest on and principal of their obligations. Accordingly, changes in levels of market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality, loan origination volume and overall profitability.

We face strong competition from financial services companies and other companies that offer banking services which could negatively affect our business.

We conduct our banking operations primarily in Southern California. Increased competition in our market may result in reduced loans and deposits. Ultimately, we may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Many competitors offer the same banking services that we offer in our service area. These competitors include national banks, regional banks and other community banks. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including without limitation, savings and loan institutions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks and other financial intermediaries. In particular, our competitors include several major financial companies whose greater resources may afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous banking locations and ATMs and conduct extensive promotional and advertising campaigns.

Additionally, banks and other financial institutions with larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not subject to bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are thereby able to serve the credit needs of larger customers. Areas of competition include interest rates for loans and deposits, efforts to obtain deposits, and range and quality of products and services provided, including new technology driven products and services. Technological innovation continues to contribute to greater competition in domestic and international financial services markets as technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. We also face competition from out-of-state financial intermediaries that have opened low-end production offices or that solicit deposits in our market areas. If we are unable to attract and retain banking customers, we may be unable to continue our loan growth and level of deposits and our results of operations and financial condition may otherwise be adversely affected.

18




Changes in economic conditions, in particular an economic slowdown in Southern California, could materially and negatively affect our business.

Our business is directly impacted by factors such as economic, political and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in government monetary and fiscal policies and inflation, all of which are beyond our control. A deterioration in economic conditions, whether caused by national or local concerns, in particular an economic slowdown in Southern California, could result in the following consequences, any of which could hurt our business materially: loan delinquencies may increase; problem assets and foreclosures may increase; demand for our products and services may decrease; low cost or noninterest bearing deposits may decrease; and collateral for loans made by us, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing customers’ borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our existing loans. These circumstances may lead to an increase in nonaccrual and classified loans, which generally results in a provision for credit losses and in turn reduces the Company’s net earnings. The State of California continues to face fiscal challenges, the long-term effects of which on the State’s economy cannot be predicted.

A downturn in the real estate market could negatively affect our business.

A downturn in the real estate market could negatively affect our business because a significant portion (approximately 79% as of December 31, 2006) of our loans is secured by real estate. Our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the real estate collateral would then be diminished and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans. Substantially all of our real property collateral is located in Southern California. If there is a significant decline in real estate values, especially in Southern California, the collateral for our loans would provide less security. Real estate values could be affected by, among other things, an economic slowdown, an increase in interest rates, earthquakes and other natural disasters particular to California.

We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects.

We currently depend heavily on the services of our chairman, John Eggemeyer, our chief executive officer, Matthew Wagner, and a number of other key management personnel. The loss of Mr. Eggemeyer’s or Mr. Wagner’s services or that of other key personnel could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our success also depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel. Competition for such personnel is strong in the banking industry and we may not be successful in attracting or retaining the personnel we require.

We are subject to extensive regulation which could adversely affect our business.

Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental authorities, and we are subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of our operations. Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. There are currently proposed laws, rules and regulations that, if adopted, would impact our operations. There can be no assurance that these proposed laws, rules and regulations, or any other laws, rules or regulations, will not be adopted in the future, which could (i) make compliance much more difficult or expensive, (ii) restrict our ability to originate, broker or sell loans or accept certain deposits, (iii) further limit or restrict the amount of commissions, interest or other charges earned on loans originated or sold by us, or (iv) otherwise adversely affect our business or prospects for business. Additionally, in order to conduct certain activities, including acquisitions, we are required to obtain regulatory approval.  There can be no assurance that any required approvals can be obtained, or obtained without conditions or on a timeframe acceptable to us. For more information, please see the section entitled “Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation” above.

19




We are exposed to transactional, currency and legal risk related to our foreign loans that is in addition to risks we face on loans to U.S. based borrowers.

A portion of our loan portfolio is represented by credit we extend and loans we make to businesses located outside the United States, predominantly in Mexico. These loans, which include commercial loans, real estate loans and credit extensions for the financing of international trade, are subject to risks in addition to risks we face with our loans to businesses located in the United States including, but not limited to, currency risk, transaction risk, country risk and legal risk. While these loans are denominated in U.S. dollars, the ability of the borrower to repay may be affected by fluctuations in the borrower’s home country currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Additionally, while most of our foreign loans are insured by U.S.-based institutions, guaranteed by a U.S.-based entity, or collateralized with U.S.-based assets or real property, our ability to collect in the event of default is subject to a number of conditions, as well as deductibles and co-payments with respect to insurance, and we may not be successful in obtaining partial or full repayment or reimbursement from the insurers. Furthermore, foreign laws may restrict our ability to foreclose on, take a security interest in, or seize collateral located in the foreign country.

We are exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which we take title.

In the course of our business, we may own or foreclose and take title to real estate, and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, as the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If we ever become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our ability to pay dividends is restricted by law and contractual arrangements and depends on capital distributions from the Bank which are subject to regulatory limits.

Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is subject to the restrictions set forth in California law. In addition, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is restricted in specified circumstances under indentures governing the trust preferred securities we have issued and under the revolving credit agreement to which we are a party. See “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters—Dividends” in Part II of this Annual Report for more information on these restrictions. We cannot assure you that we will meet the criteria specified under California law or under these agreements in the future, in which case we may reduce or stop paying dividends on our common stock.

The primary source of our income from which we pay dividends is the receipt of dividends from the Bank.

The availability of dividends from the Bank is limited by various statutes and regulations. It is possible, depending upon the financial condition of the Bank and other factors, that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the FDIC and/or the DFI could assert that payment of dividends or other payments is an unsafe or unsound practice. In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, it is likely that we, in turn, would have to reduce or stop paying dividends on our common stock. Our failure to pay dividends on our common stock could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. See “Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation” above for additional information on the regulatory restrictions to which we and the Bank are subject.

20




Only a limited trading market exists for our common stock which could lead to price volatility.

Our common stock was designated for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market in June 2000 and trading volumes since that time have been modest. The limited trading market for our common stock may cause fluctuations in the market value of our common stock to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market of our common stock. In addition, even if a more active market in our common stock develops, we cannot assure you that such a market will continue or that shareholders will be able to sell their shares.

Our allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and non-performance and a reserve for unfunded loan commitments, which when combined, we refer to as the allowance for credit losses. Our allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover actual credit losses, and future provisions for credit losses could materially and adversely affect our operating results. Our allowance for credit losses is based on prior experience, as well as an evaluation of the risks in the current portfolio. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates that may be beyond our control, and these losses may exceed current estimates. Our federal and state regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, review our loans and allowance for credit losses. While we believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover current losses, we cannot assure you that we will not further increase the allowance for credit losses or that regulators will not require us to increase this allowance. Either of these occurrences could materially and negatively affect our earnings. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of this Annual Report for more information.

Our acquisitions may subject us to unknown risks.

We have completed 18 acquisitions since May 2000, including the acquisition of two bank subsidiaries around which the Company was initially formed.  Certain events may arise after the date of an acquisition, or we may learn of certain facts, events or circumstances after the closing of an acquisition, that may affect our financial condition or performance or subject us to risk of loss. These events include, but are not limited to: litigation resulting from circumstances occurring at the acquired entity prior to the date of acquisition; loan downgrades and credit loss provisions resulting from underwriting of certain acquired loans determined not to meet our credit standards; personnel changes that cause instability within a department; delays in implementing new policies or procedures, or the failure to apply new policies or procedures; and, other events relating to the performance of our business. Acquisitions involve inherent uncertainty and we cannot determine all potential events, facts and circumstances that could result in loss, or give assurances that our investigation or mitigation efforts will be sufficient to protect against any such loss.

Concentrated ownership of our common stock creates a risk of sudden changes in our share price.

As of February 23, 2007, directors and members of our executive management team owned or controlled approximately 10.7% of our common stock, excluding shares that may be issued to executive officers upon vesting of restricted and performance stock awards and exercise of stock options. Investors who purchase our common stock may be subject to certain risks due to the concentrated ownership of our common stock. The sale by any of our large shareholders of a significant portion of that shareholder’s holdings could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the registration of any significant amount of additional shares of our common stock will have the immediate effect of increasing the public float of our common stock and any such increase may cause the market price of our common stock to decline or fluctuate significantly.

21




Our largest shareholder is a registered bank holding company and the activities and regulation of such shareholder may affect the permissible activities of the Company.

Castle Creek Capital, LLC, which we refer to as Castle Creek, is controlled by our chairman, John M. Eggemeyer, and beneficially owned approximately 6.4% of the Company as of February 23, 2007. Castle Creek is a registered bank holding company under the BHCA and is regulated by the FRB. Under FRB guidelines, holding companies must be a “source of strength” for their subsidiaries. See “Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation—Bank Holding Company Regulation” above for more information. Regulation of Castle Creek by the FRB may adversely affect the activities and strategic plans of the Company should the FRB determine that Castle Creek or any other company in which Castle Creek has invested has engaged in any unsafe or unsound banking practices or activities. While we have no reason to believe that the FRB is proposing to take any action with respect to Castle Creek that would adversely affect the Company, we remain subject to such risk.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of February 23, 2007, we had a total of 94 properties consisting of 63 branch offices, one annex office, 4 operations centers, 10 loan offices, and 16 other properties of which 11 are subleased. We own 8 locations and the remaining properties are leased. All properties are located in Southern California except for the annex office used by Pacific Western’s asset-based lending division, which is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Pacific Western operates through 63 branches and its principal office is located at 401West A Street, San Diego, CA 92101-7917.

For additional information regarding properties of the Company and Pacific Western, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 8, 2004, the Company was served with an amended complaint naming First Community and Pacific Western as defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court pending as Gilbert et. al v. Cohn et al, Case No. BC310846 (the “Gilbert Litigation”). A former officer of First Charter Bank, N.A. (“First Charter”), which the Company acquired in October 2001, was also named as a defendant. That former officer left First Charter in May of 1997 and later became a principal of Four Star Financial Services, LLC (“Four Star”), an affiliate of 900 Capital Services, Inc. (“900 Capital”).

On April 18, 2005, the plaintiffs filed the second amended class action complaint. The second amended complaint alleged that the former officer of First Charter improperly induced several First Charter customers to invest in 900 Capital or affiliates of 900 Capital and further alleges that Four Star, 900 Capital and some of their affiliated entities perpetuated their fraud upon investors through various accounts at First Charter, First Community and Pacific Western with those banks’ purported knowing participation in and/or willful ignorance of the scheme. The key allegations in the second amended complaint dated back to the mid-1990s and the second amended complaint alleged several counts for relief including aiding and abetting, conspiracy, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, relief pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code, negligence and relief under the California Securities Act stemming from an alleged fraudulent scheme and sale of securities issued by 900 Capital and Four Star. In disclosures provided to the parties, plaintiffs have asserted that the named plaintiffs have suffered losses well in excess of $3.85 million, and plaintiffs have asserted that “losses to the class total many tens of millions of dollars.” On June 15, 2005, we filed a demurrer to the second amended complaint, and on August 22, 2005, the

22




Court sustained our demurrer as to each of the counts therein, granting plaintiffs leave to amend on four of the six counts, and dismissing the other counts outright.

On August 12, 2005, the Company was notified by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company (“Progressive”), its primary insurance carrier with respect to the Gilbert Litigation that Progressive had determined that, based upon the allegations in the second amended complaint filed in the Gilbert Litigation, there was no coverage with respect to the Gilbert Litigation under the Company’s insurance policy with Progressive. Progressive also notified the Company that it was withdrawing its agreement to fund defense costs for the Gilbert Litigation and reserving its right to seek reimbursement from the Company for any defense costs advanced pursuant to the insurance policy. Through December 31, 2005, Progressive had advanced to the Company approximately $690,000 of defense costs with respect to the Gilbert Litigation.

On August 12, 2005, Progressive filed an action in federal district court for declaratory relief, currently pending as Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, etc., v. First Community Bancorp, etc., et al., Case No. 05-5900 SVW (MAWx) (the “Progressive Litigation”), seeking a declaratory judgment with respect to the parties’ rights and obligations under Progressive’s policy with the Company. On October 11, 2005, the Company filed in federal court a motion to dismiss or stay the Progressive Litigation.

In November 2005, along with certain other defendants, we reached an agreement in principle with respect to the Gilbert Litigation. That agreement is reflected in a written Stipulation of Settlement dated February 9, 2007, which has been executed by all the parties to that settlement. The settlement is subject to approval by the Los Angeles Superior Court and a certain level of participation in the settlement by class members. Assuming all conditions to final consummation of the settlement are met, First Community’s contribution to the settlement will be $775,000, which was accrued in 2005.

While we believe that this settlement, if finalized, will end our exposure to the underlying claims by participating class members, we cannot be certain that all conditions to the settlement will be satisfied or that we will not be subject to further claims by parties related to the same claims who did not participate in the settlement.

In connection with the Gilbert Litigation settlement, we also reached a settlement with Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. in the Progressive Litigation. The settlement with Progressive, which includes an additional contribution by Progressive under First Community’s policy toward the settlement of the Gilbert Litigation and a dismissal by Progressive of any claims against First Community for reimbursement, is contingent upon the consummation of the Gilbert Litigation settlement.

In the ordinary course of our business, we are party to various other legal actions, which we believe are incidental to the operation of our business. Although the ultimate outcome and amount of liability, if any, with respect to these other legal actions to which we are currently a party cannot presently be ascertained with certainty, in the opinion of management, based upon information currently available to us, any resulting liability is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to the shareholders of the Company, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2006.

23




PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Marketplace Designation, Sales Price Information and Holders

On June 1, 2000, our common stock was designated for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market® and trades under the symbol “FCBP.” The following table summarizes the high and low sale prices for each quarterly period ended since January 1, 2005 for our common stock, as quoted and reported by the Nasdaq National Market:

 

 

Sales Prices

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

 

 

2005:

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

$

46.20

 

$

39.00

 

Second quarter

 

$

48.95

 

$

41.18

 

Third quarter

 

$

51.62

 

$

45.50

 

Fourth quarter

 

$

57.30

 

$

45.07

 

2006:

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

$

61.65

 

$

53.95

 

Second quarter

 

$

61.35

 

$

55.02

 

Third quarter

 

$

59.52

 

$

51.87

 

Fourth quarter

 

$

58.11

 

$

51.30

 

 

As of February 16, 2007, the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq was $54.42 per share. As of that date, we believe, based on the records of our transfer agent, that there were approximately 2,650 record holders of our common stock.

Dividends

Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is subject to the restrictions set forth in the California General Corporation Law, or the CGCL. The CGCL provides that a corporation may make a distribution to its shareholders if the corporation’s retained earnings equal at least the amount of the proposed distribution. The CGCL further provides that, in the event that sufficient retained earnings are not available for the proposed distribution, a corporation may nevertheless make a distribution to its shareholders if it meets two conditions: (i) the corporation’s assets equal at least 11¤4 times its liabilities and (ii) the corporation’s current assets equal at least its current liabilities or, alternatively, if the average of the corporation’s earnings before taxes on income and interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of the corporation’s interest expense for such fiscal years, the corporation’s current assets equal at least 11¤4 times its current liabilities. Our ability to pay dividends is also subject to certain other limitations. See “Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our primary source of income is the receipt of dividends from the Bank. The availability of dividends from the Bank is limited by various statutes and regulations. It is possible, depending upon the financial condition of the bank in question, and other factors, that either the FRB, the FDIC or the DFI could assert that payment of dividends or other payments is an unsafe or unsound practice. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is limited by certain provisions of our credit agreement with U.S. Bank, N.A. This agreement provides that we may not declare or pay any dividend on the Company’s common stock in any quarter if an Event of Default (as defined in the agreement) has occurred or will occur as a result of such payment. In addition, the agreement prevents us from paying a dividend in the event we no longer own 100% of Pacific

24




Western. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity” and Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Our ability to pay dividends is also limited by certain covenants contained in the indentures governing trust preferred securities issued by us or entities that we have acquired, and the debentures underlying the trust preferred securities. Generally the indentures provide that if an Event of Default (as defined in the indentures) has occurred and is continuing, or if we are in default with respect to any obligations under our guarantee agreement which covers payments of the obligations on the trust preferred securities, or if we give notice of any intention to defer payments of interest on the debentures underlying the trust preferred securities, then we may not, among other restrictions, declare or pay any dividends (other than a dividend payable by the Bank to the holding company) with respect to our common stock. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available under the laws of the State of California, subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock of the Company that may be issued in the future. Since January 1, 2005 we have declared the following quarterly dividends:

Record Date

 

Pay Date

 

Amount per Share

 

February 15, 2005

 

February 28, 2005

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

May 16, 2005

 

May 31, 2005

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

August 16, 2005

 

August 31, 2005

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

November 16, 2005

 

November 30, 2005

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

February 16, 2006

 

February 28, 2006

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

May 16, 2006

 

May 31, 2006

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

August 16, 2006

 

August 30, 2006

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

November 16, 2006

 

November 30, 2006

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

February 16, 2007

 

February 28, 2007

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

 

We believe that the Company will be able to continue paying quarterly dividends, however we can provide no assurance that we will continue to declare dividends on a quarterly basis or otherwise. The declaration of dividends by the Company is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors will take into account such matters as general business conditions, our financial results, capital requirements, contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiary to the holding company, and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant. See “Item 1. Business—Regulation and Supervision,” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of potential regulatory limitations on the holding company’s receipt of funds from the Bank.

25




Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2006, regarding securities issued and to be issued under our equity compensation plans that were in effect during fiscal 2006:

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights

 

Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected
in Column (a))

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders

 

The First Community
Bancorp 2003 Stock
Incentive Plan
(1)

 

 

135,373

(2)

 

 

$

20.78

 

 

 

916,196

(3)

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)           The First Community Bancorp 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) was last approved by the shareholders of the Company at our 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and amended at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(2)           Amount represents outstanding options only and does not include the 750,014 shares of unvested restricted and performance stock awarded since 2003 and outstanding as of December 31, 2006 with an exercise price of zero.

(3)           The total number of shares of common stock that have been approved for issuance pursuant to awards granted or which may be granted in the future under the Incentive Plan is 3,500,000 shares. In addition to options issued under the Incentive Plan, the number of securities remaining available for future issuance has been reduced by 1,134,122 shares which represents the sum of the number of unvested shares of restricted and performance stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2006 and the number of vested shares of restricted and performance stock as of December 31, 2006. In February 2007, the Company granted 208,300 of performance and restricted stock awards reducing the shares remaining available for issuance under the Incentive Plan to 707,896.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the past three years, the Company has issued unregistered debt securities through one offering of trust preferred securities. The details of the offering are set forth below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration

 

Exemption

 

Terms of

 

 

 

Securities Sold

 

 

 

Date
Offering
Completed

 

Underwriters or
Other
Purchasers

 

Aggregate
OfferingPrice

 

Underwriting
Discounts/
Commissions

 

from
Registration
Claimed

 

Conversion
or
Exercise

 

Use of
Proceeds

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Trust Preferred Securities

 

 


2/5/2004

 

 

 

Cohen Bros. & Co./ Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.

 

 


61,856

 

 

 


300

 

 

 


(1


)

 

 


N/A

 

 


Acquisition
financing

 


(1)           The securities were sold in a private placement. We are informed by the initial purchasers that the securities were resold in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to qualified institutional buyers as such term is defined in Rule 144A and in accordance with the procedures set forth in such Rule.

26




Additional information regarding the offering of our debt securities and the trust preferred securities is set forth in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Repurchases of Common Stock

Through the Company’s Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, or the DDCP, participants in the plan may reinvest deferred amounts in the Company’s common stock. The Company has the discretion whether to track purchases of common stock as if made, or to fully fund the DDCP via purchases of stock with deferred amounts. Purchases of Company common stock by the rabbi trust of the DDCP are considered repurchases of common stock by the Company since the rabbi trust is an asset of the Company. Actual purchases of Company common stock via the DDCP are made through open market purchases pursuant to the terms of the DDCP, which includes a predetermined formula and schedule for the purchase of such stock in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Pursuant to the terms of the DDCP, generally purchases are actually made or deemed to be made in the open market on the 15th of the month (or the next trading day) following the day on which deferred amounts are contributed to the DDCP, beginning March 15 of each year. Listed in the table below are the purchases made by the DDCP for the fourth quarter of 2006:

 

 

Total Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

Shares Purchased As Part of a
Publicly-Announced
Program

 

Maximum
Shares Still
Available for
Repurchase

 

October 1 - October 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

November 1 - November 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

December 1 - December 31, 2006

 

 

6,433

 

 

 

$

53.20

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

6,433

 

 

 

$

53.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On May 3, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to one million shares of the Company’s common stock over the next twelve months, subject to market conditions and corporate and regulatory requirements. Through February 7, 2007, we repurchased 277,600 shares. The stock repurchase program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. Listed in the table below are the purchases made by the Company as of February 7, 2007:

 

 

Total Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

Shares Purchased As Part of a
Publicly-Announced
Program

 

Maximum
Shares Still
Available for
Repurchase

 

October 1 - October 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

November 1 - November 30, 2006

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

$

53.26

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

900,000

 

 

December 1 - December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

900,000

 

 

Fourth quarter total

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

$

53.26

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1 - January 31, 2007

 

 

89,900

 

 

 

$

52.87

 

 

 

89,900

 

 

 

810,100

 

 

February 1 - February 7, 2007

 

 

87,700

 

 

 

$

54.37

 

 

 

87,700

 

 

 

722,400

 

 

 

 

 

277,600

 

 

 

$

53.48

 

 

 

277,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27




Five-Year Stock Performance Graph

The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative shareholder return on our common stock based on the closing price during the five years ended December 31, 2006, with (1) the Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. Companies) and (2) the Total Return Index for NASDAQ Bank Stocks. This comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2001, in our common stock and the comparison groups and assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect and retention of all stock dividends. First Community’s total cumulative return was 186.8% over the five year period ending December 31, 2006 compared to 24.2% and 66.1% for the NASDAQ Composite and NASDAQ Bank Stocks.

GRAPHIC

 

 

Period Ending

 

Index

 

 

 

12/31/01

 

12/31/02

 

12/31/03

 

12/31/04

 

12/31/05

 

12/31/06

 

First Community Bancorp

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

166.02

 

$

186.01

 

$

224.57

 

$

291.96

 

$

286.78

 

NASDAQ Composite

 

 

  100

 

 

69.66

 

99.71

 

113.79

 

114.47

 

124.20

 

NASDAQ Bank Index

 

 

  100

 

 

59.14

 

89.11

 

103.85

 

130.57

 

166.05

 

 

28




ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth certain of our financial and statistical information for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2006. This data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

 

At or for the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)

 

Results of Operations(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

301,597

 

$

183,352

 

$

140,147

 

$

112,881

 

$

83,903

 

Interest expense

 

59,640

 

22,917

 

14,417

 

12,647

 

14,156

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

241,957

 

160,435

 

125,730

 

100,234

 

69,747

 

Provision for credit losses

 

9,600

 

1,420

 

465

 

300

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

232,357

 

159,015

 

125,265

 

99,934

 

69,747

 

Noninterest income

 

16,466

 

13,778

 

17,221

 

19,637

 

12,684

 

Noninterest expense

 

121,455

 

87,302

 

81,827

 

65,820

 

54,302

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

 

127,368

 

85,491

 

60,659

 

53,751

 

28,129

 

Income taxes

 

51,512

 

35,125

 

24,296

 

21,696

 

11,217

 

NET EARNINGS BEFORE CUMULATIVE
EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

 

75,856

 

50,366

 

36,363

 

32,055

 

16,912

 

Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2005) of changing the method of accounting for stock-based compensation forfeitures

 

142

 

 

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

$

32,055

 

$

16,912

 

Share Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share (EPS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.23

 

$

3.05

 

$

2.34

 

$

2.08

 

$

1.64

 

Diluted

 

3.21

 

2.98

 

2.27

 

2.02

 

1.58

 

Dividends declared per share

 

1.21

 

0.97

 

0.85

 

0.68

 

0.54

 

Book value per share(2)

 

$

39.42

 

$

27.30

 

$

22.98

 

$

21.24

 

$

20.68

 

Shares outstanding at the end of the year(2)

 

29,636

 

18,347

 

16,268

 

15,893

 

15,297

 

Average shares outstanding for basic EPS

 

23,476

 

16,536

 

15,521

 

15,382

 

10,302

 

Average shares outstanding for diluted EPS

 

23,680

 

16,894

 

15,987

 

15,868

 

10,692

 

Ending Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

$

5,553,323

 

$

3,226,411

 

$

3,049,453

 

$

2,429,981

 

$

2,120,004

 

Time deposits in financial institutions

 

501

 

90

 

702

 

311

 

1,041

 

Investments

 

120,128

 

239,354

 

269,507

 

432,318

 

325,858

 

Loans held for sale

 

173,319

 

 

 

 

 

Loans, net of unearned income

 

4,189,543

 

2,467,828

 

2,118,171

 

1,595,837

 

1,424,396

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

61,179

 

32,971

 

29,507

 

25,752

 

24,294

 

Intangible assets

 

788,510

 

323,188

 

256,955

 

221,956

 

188,050

 

Deposits(3)

 

3,685,733

 

2,405,361

 

2,432,390

 

1,949,669

 

1,738,621

 

Borrowings

 

499,000

 

160,300

 

90,000

 

53,700

 

1,223

 

Subordinated debentures

 

149,219

 

121,654

 

121,654

 

59,798

 

39,178

 

Common shareholders’ equity

 

1,168,328

 

500,778

 

373,876

 

337,563

 

316,292

 

Selected Financial Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend payout ratio

 

37.69

%

32.55

%

37.33

%

33.42

%

34.18

 

Shareholders’ equity to assets at period end

 

21.04

 

15.52

 

12.26

 

13.89

 

14.92

 

Return on average assets

 

1.72

 

1.68

 

1.35

 

1.41

 

1.14

 

Return on average equity

 

9.13

 

12.10

 

10.36

 

9.84

 

9.66

 

Average equity/average assets

 

18.88

 

13.90

 

13.04

 

14.29

 

11.78

 

Net interest margin

 

6.67

 

6.37

 

5.58

 

5.24

 

5.41

 


(1)             Operating results of acquired companies are included from the respective acquisition dates. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

(2)             Includes 750,014 shares, 405,831 shares, 585,416 shares and 460,000 shares of unvested restricted and performance stock outstanding at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

(3)             2004 includes a short-term $365 million interest-bearing deposit received on December 31, 2004.

29




ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This section should be read in conjunction with the disclosure regarding “Forward-Looking Statements” set forth in “Item 1. Business—Forward-Looking Statements”, as well as the discussion set forth in “Item 1. Business—Certain Business Risks” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Overview

We are a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Our principal business is to serve as a holding company for our banking subsidiary. As of December 31, 2006, our sole banking subsidiary is Pacific Western Bank, which we refer to as Pacific Western, or the Bank. As of December 31, 2005, our banking subsidiaries were Pacific Western National Bank which we also refer to as Pacific Western, and First National Bank, which we refer to as First National. As part of our announced plan of consolidation and conversion, Pacific Western National Bank, filed an application with the California Department of Financial Institutions, or DFI, to convert from a national banking charter to a state-chartered bank under the name of Pacific Western Bank. This application was approved and the conversion of Pacific Western to a state-chartered bank occurred on September 13, 2006. Pacific Western also filed a notice with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to withdraw from membership in the Federal Reserve System and become a “nonmember” bank at the time of its conversion. Additionally, on October 26, 2006, following the completion of the acquisition of Community Bancorp Inc. and the subsequent merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, with and into First National, we completed our plan of consolidation by merging First National with and into Pacific Western, with Pacific Western as the surviving entity in an “as if” pooling transaction. All references to Pacific Western, or the Bank, prior to September 13, 2006 refer to Pacific Western National Bank, and references on or after September 13, 2006 refer to Pacific Western Bank.

On January 4, 2006, we acquired Cedars Bank, or Cedars, which was merged with and into Pacific Western. On May 9, 2006, we acquired Foothill Independent Bancorp, or Foothill, which was merged with and into the First Community Bancorp and Foothill’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Foothill Independent Bank, was merged with and into Pacific Western. When we say “we”, “our” or the “Company”, we mean the Company on a consolidated basis with Pacific Western. When we refer to “First Community” or to the holding company, we are referring to the parent company on a standalone basis. Discussions about the Company and the Bank as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 include Cedars, Foothill and Community Bancorp from and after their respective dates of acquisition.

Pacific Western is a full-service community bank offering a broad range of banking products and services. We accept time and demand deposits, fund loans including real estate, construction, SBA and commercial loans, and offer other business oriented banking products. Our operations are primarily located in Southern California and the Bank focuses on conducting business with small to medium size businesses and the owners and employees of those businesses in our marketplace. Through our asset-based lending division and SBA loan production offices we also operate in Arizona and Texas. At December 31, 2006, the Bank’s gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, totaled $4.2 billion of which approximately 20% were commercial loans, 79% were commercial real estate loans, including construction loans, and 1% were consumer and other loans. These percentages include some foreign loans, primarily to individuals or entities with business in Mexico, representing 2% of total loans.

The Bank competes actively for deposits, and we tend to solicit noninterest-bearing deposits. In managing the top line of our business, we focus on loan growth and loan yield, deposit cost, and net interest margin, as net interest income accounts for 94% of our net revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income).

30




Key Performance Indicators

Among other factors, our operating results depend generally on the following:

The Level of Our Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the excess of interest earned on our interest-earning assets over the interest paid on our interest-bearing liabilities. Our primary interest-earning assets are loans and investment securities. Our primary interest-bearing liabilities are deposits, borrowings, and subordinated debentures. We attempt to increase our net interest income by maintaining a high level of noninterest-bearing deposits. At December 31, 2006, approximately 43% of our deposits were noninterest-bearing. We have borrowing capacity under various credit lines which we use for liquidity needs such as funding loan demand, managing deposit flows and interim acquisition financing. Some of our long-term borrowings are matched to our asset-based loan portfolio and other fixed-rate loans. During the latter half of 2006, we extended the term on $200 million of our borrowings to take advantage of pricing opportunities such extended terms offered. Net proceeds from our other long-term borrowings, consisting of subordinated debentures, were used to fund certain of our acquisitions. Our general policy is to price our deposits in the bottom half or third-quartile of our competitive peer group, resulting in deposit products that bear interest rates at somewhat lower yields. While our deposit balances will fluctuate depending on deposit holders’ perceptions of alternative yields available in the market, we attempt to minimize these variances by attracting a high percentage of noninterest-bearing deposits, which have no expectation of yield.

Loan Growth

We generally seek new lending opportunities in the $500,000 to $5 million range, try to limit loan maturities for commercial loans to one year, for construction loans up to 18 months, and for commercial real estate loans up to ten years, and to price lending products so as to preserve our interest spread and net interest margin. We sometimes encounter strong competition in pursuing lending opportunities such that potential borrowers obtain loans elsewhere at lower rates than those we offer.

The Magnitude of Credit Losses

We stress credit quality in originating and monitoring the loans we make and measure our success by the level of our nonperforming assets and the corresponding level of our allowance for credit losses. Our allowance for credit losses is the sum of our allowance for loan losses and our reserve for unfunded loan commitments. Provisions for credit losses are charged to operations as and when needed for both on and off balance sheet credit exposure. Loans which are deemed uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance for loan losses. Recoveries on loans previously charged off are added to the allowance for loan losses. During 2006, we made provisions for credit losses totaling $9.6 million in response to an increase in nonaccrual loans, the credit quality of an acquired portfolio, our analysis of current market conditions related to real estate loans, and organic loan growth.

We review our loans periodically to determine whether there has been any deterioration in credit quality stemming from economic conditions or other factors which may affect collectibility of our loans. Changes in economic conditions, such as increases in the general level of interest rates and negative conditions in borrowers’ businesses, could negatively impact our customers and cause us to adversely classify loans and increase portfolio loss factors. Once an acquisition is completed we further review the acquired loans under our underwriting standards. These reviews could result in downgrades of acquired loans to adversely classified status. Because adversely classified loans require an allowance for credit losses, increases in classified loans generally result in increased provisions for credit losses. Because we have a concentration in real estate loans, any deterioration in the real estate markets may negatively impact our borrowers and could lead to increased provisions for credit losses. Approximately 79% of our

31




gross loans are real estate related with construction loans and real estate mortgage loans representing 22% and 57%, respectively, of gross loans.

The Level of Our Noninterest Expense

Our noninterest expense includes fixed and controllable overhead, the major components of which are compensation, occupancy, data processing, professional fees and communications. We measure success in controlling such costs through monitoring of the efficiency ratio. We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income. Accordingly, a lower percentage reflects lower expenses relative to income. The consolidated efficiency ratios have been as follows:

Quarterly Period in 2006

 

 

 

Ratio

 

First

 

 

47.2

%

 

Second

 

 

45.7

%

 

Third

 

 

45.5

%

 

Fourth

 

 

49.5

%

 

 

During the fourth quarter of 2006 we completed the Community Bancorp acquisition and systems integration, incurred reorganization costs of $1.4 million, and sold investment securities at a loss of $2.3 million. These items increased the fourth quarter efficiency ratio by 336 basis points.

Additionally, our operating results have been influenced significantly by acquisitions. The seven acquisitions we completed from March 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006 added approximately $3.2 billion in assets. Our assets at December 31, 2006 totaled approximately $5.6 billion. Our noninterest expenses have increased for all periods presented because of our acquisitions. However, our expense control programs and merger integration routines enabled us to improve our efficiency ratio. In addition to driving down our efficiency ratio during 2006, we have steadily improved this ratio over the last 3 years.

Critical Accounting Policies

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors and circumstances. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions which could have a material impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and on our results of operations for the reporting periods.

Our significant accounting policies and practices are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The accounting policies that involve significant estimates and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, are considered critical accounting policies. We have identified our policies for the allowance for credit losses, the fair value of financial instruments, and the carrying values of goodwill, other intangible assets and deferred tax assets as critical accounting policies.

32




Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments when combined are referred to as the allowance for credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is reported as a reduction of outstanding loan balances and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is included within other liabilities. On December 31, 2004, we reclassified to other liabilities our reserve for unfunded loan commitments which was previously included with the allowance for loan losses. When we determined the amount of our allowance for loan losses applicable to the real estate loan portion of our portfolio, we included both real estate loan balances and real estate loan commitments because the commitments related to loans which existed and the commitment amounts were expected to be disbursed. We followed this practice through September 30, 2005. At December 31, 2005, we decided to use commitments for all categories of loans in determining our reserve for unfunded loan commitments. Accordingly, we reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments the commitment reserve related to real estate loans that was previously included in the allowance for loan losses prior to December 31, 2005. Generally, as loans are funded, the amount of the commitment reserve applicable to such funded loans will be transferred from the reserve for unfunded loan commitments to the allowance for loan losses based on our reserving methodology. The accompanying balance sheets and the allowance for loan losses tables included in Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflect the reclassification.

We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount which we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. Our periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on such factors as our past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that have occurred but are not yet known that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, the estimated value of underlying collateral, and economic conditions. As we utilize information currently available to evaluate the allowance for loan losses, the allowance for loan losses is subjective and may be adjusted in the future depending on changes in economic conditions or other factors.

The methodology we use to estimate the amount of our allowance for credit losses is based on both objective and subjective criteria. While some criteria are formula driven, other criteria are subjective inputs included to capture environmental and general economic risk elements which may trigger losses in the loan portfolio, and to account for the varying levels of credit quality in the loan portfolios of the entities we have acquired, that have not yet been captured in our objective loss factors.

Specifically, our allowance methodology contains four elements: (a) amounts based on specific evaluations of impaired loans; (b) amounts of estimated losses on several pools of loans categorized by type; (c) amounts of estimated losses for loans adversely classified based on our loan review process; and (d) amounts for environmental and general economic factors that indicate probable losses were incurred but were not captured through the other elements of our allowance process.

Impaired loans are identified at each reporting date based on certain criteria and individually reviewed for impairment. Allowance amounts for these loans are based upon the fair value of the loan’s collateral if the loan is collateral dependent or the present value of cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, if the loan is not collateralized.

Our non-impaired loan portfolio is broken down into several pools for purposes of determining allowance amounts by pool and within those pools for adversely classified loans. The pools we currently evaluate are: real estate construction, real estate other, commercial collateralized, commercial unsecured, consumer, foreign, asset-based, and factoring. The allowance amounts for loans not adversely classified are determined using historical loss rates developed through a migration analysis. The allowance amounts for

33




adversely classified loans are also determined through migration analysis adjusted for historical loss rates on similarly classified loans.

Finally, in order to ensure our allowance methodology is incorporating recent trends and economic conditions, we apply environmental and general economic factors to our allowance methodology including: credit concentrations; delinquency trends; economic and business conditions; external factors such as fuel and building materials prices, the effects of adverse weather, and hostilities; the quality of lending management and staff; lending policies and procedures; loss and recovery trends; nature and volume of the portfolio; nonaccrual loan trends; other adjustments for items not covered by other factors; problem loan trends; and quality of loan review.

Based on our methodology and its components, management believes the resulting allowance for credit losses is adequate and appropriate for the risk identified in the Company’s loan portfolio.

The Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is sensitive to the assigned credit risk ratings and inherent loss rates at any given point in time. Therefore, we perform a sensitivity analysis to provide insight regarding the impact of adverse changes in risk ratings may have on our allowance for loan losses. The sensitivity analysis does not imply any expectation of future deterioration in our loans’ risk ratings and it does not necessarily reflect the nature and extent of future changes in the allowance for loan losses due to the numerous quantitative and qualitative factors considered in determining our allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2006, in the event that 1 percent of our loans were downgraded from the pass to substandard category within our current allowance methodology, the allowance for loan losses would have increased by approximately $10.6 million. Given current processes employed by the Company, management believes the risk ratings and inherent loss rates currently assigned are appropriate. It is possible that others, given the same information, may at any point in time reach different reasonable conclusions that could be material to the Company’s financial statements.

Although we have established an allowance for loan losses that we consider adequate, there can be no assurance that the established allowance for loan losses will be sufficient to offset losses on loans in the future. Management also believes that the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is adequate. In making this determination, we use the same methodology for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments as we do for the allowance for loan losses and consider the same qualitative factors, as well as an estimate of the probability of drawdown of the commitments correlated to their credit risk rating. Please see “—Financial Condition—Allowance for Credit Losses” and Notes 1(h) and 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As a result of our acquisition activity, goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets have been added to our balance sheet. Goodwill, a long-lived asset, is evaluated for impairment at least annually. We conduct an impairment analysis to evaluate the carrying value of goodwill as of June 30th each year. Core deposit and customer relationship intangibles arising from acquisitions are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to 10 years.

The process of evaluating goodwill for impairment requires us to make several assumptions and estimates. We begin the valuation process by identifying the reporting units related to the goodwill. We identified one reporting unit, banking operations, in relation to our goodwill asset. If our impairment analysis indicates that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we will have to writedown the amount of goodwill we carry on our balance sheet through a charge to our earnings.

Our impairment analysis estimated the value of our reporting unit using three methods: an income approach which is a discounted cash flow model, a market comparison approach, and a market transaction approach. Each of these valuation methods include several assumptions, including forecasts of future

34




earnings of our reporting unit, discount rates, market trends and market multiples of companies engaged in similar lines of business. If any of the assumptions used in the valuation of our goodwill change over time, the estimated value assigned to our goodwill could differ significantly, including a decrease in the value of goodwill which would result in a charge to our earnings. The most significant element in the goodwill evaluation is the level of our earnings. If our earnings were to decline and cause our market capitalization to decline also, the market value of our Company may not support the carrying value of goodwill. The goodwill for our one reporting unit was last evaluated for impairment as of June 30, 2006, and no impairment was identified.

The calculation and subsequent amortization of core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets also requires several assumptions including, among other things, the estimated cost to service deposits acquired, discount rates, estimated attrition rates and useful lives. If the value of the core deposit intangible or the customer relationship intangible is determined to be less than the carrying value in future periods, a writedown would be taken through a charge to our earnings. The most significant element in either intangible evaluation is the attrition rate of the acquired deposits or loans. If such attrition rate were to accelerate from that which we expected, the intangible may have to be reduced by a charge to earnings. The attrition rate related to deposit flows or loan flows is influenced by many factors, the most significant of which are alternative yields available to customers and the level of competition from other financial institutions and financial services companies.

Deferred Income Tax Assets

Our deferred income tax assets arise from mainly two items: (1) differences in the dates that items of income and expense enter into our reported income and taxable income and (2) net operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are established for these items as they arise based on our judgments that they are realizable. From an accounting standpoint, we determine whether a deferred tax asset is realizable based on the historical level of our taxable income and estimates of our future taxable income. In most cases, the realization of the deferred tax asset is based on our future profitability. If we were to experience either reduced profitability or operating losses in a future period, the realization of our deferred tax assets would be questionable. In such an instance, we could be required to increase the valuation reserve on our deferred tax assets by charging earnings.

35




Results of Operations

Earnings Performance

We analyze our performance based on net earnings determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The comparability of financial information is affected by our acquisitions. Operating results include the operations of acquired entities from the dates of acquisition. FC Financial ($106 million in assets) was acquired in March 2004, Harbor National ($198 million in assets) was acquired in April 2004, First American ($286 million in assets) was acquired in August 2005, Pacific Liberty ($183 million in assets) was acquired in October 2005, Cedars ($489 million in assets) was acquired in January 2006, Foothill ($892 million in assets) was acquired in May 2006, and Community Bancorp ($1 billion in assets) was acquired in October of 2006. The following table presents net earnings and summarizes per share data and key financial ratios:

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands,
except share data)

 

Net earnings

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

Profitability measures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

3.23

 

$

3.05

 

$

2.34

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

3.21

 

$

2.98

 

$

2.27

 

Return on average assets

 

1.72

%

1.68

%

1.35

%

Return on average equity

 

9.13

%

12.10

%

10.36

%

Dividend payout ratio

 

37.69

%

32.55

%

37.33

%

 

The 51% increase in net earnings during 2006 as compared to 2005 is due to higher net interest income from acquisitions and organic loan growth, tempered by an increased credit loss provision, loss on sale of securities, increased compensation and general expenses from our acquisitions, and reorganization charges. Our net interest income increased 51% during 2006 when compared to 2005 due largely to a $1.2 billion increase in our average loans over 2005. Noninterest income was $2.6 million higher for 2006 compared to 2005 and is due mostly to increased service charges and fees for deposits, which are attributed to increased deposit volumes from our acquisitions, and increased fee income related to other services such as letters of credit and foreign exchange. Noninterest income for 2006 also included a $2.3 million loss on sale of securities and a $642,000 gain related to the recognition of a discount upon the repayment of an acquired loan; there were no such items in 2005. The increase in noninterest expenses for 2006 when compared to 2005 was a result of a combination of acquisitions, business growth, and recording reorganization charges of $1.8 million in 2006. Our branch network has expanded through our acquisitions and we have 63 offices as of February 2007.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, which is our principal source of income, represents the difference between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. Net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. Net interest income is affected by changes in both interest rates and the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the distribution of average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as well as interest income and yields earned on average interest-earning assets and interest expense and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.

36




Analysis of Average Balances, Yields and Rates

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income/
Expense

 

Yields
and
Rates

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income/
Expense

 

Yields
and
Rates

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income/
Expense

 

Yields
and
Rates

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans, net of unearned income(1)(2)

 

$

3,394,123

 

$

292,069

 

 

8.61

%

 

$

2,231,975

 

$

174,202

 

 

7.80

%

 

$

1,897,755

 

$

130,175

 

 

6.86

%

 

Investment securities(2)

 

228,031

 

9,200

 

 

4.03

%

 

248,471

 

7,900

 

 

3.18

%

 

324,156

 

9,584

 

 

2.96

%

 

Federal funds sold

 

6,491

 

297

 

 

4.58

%

 

39,117

 

1,245

 

 

3.18

%

 

29,206

 

354

 

 

1.21

%

 

Other earning assets

 

826

 

31

 

 

3.75

%

 

198

 

5

 

 

2.53

%

 

1,560

 

34

 

 

2.18

%

 

Total interest-earning assets

 

3,629,471

 

301,597

 

 

8.31

%

 

2,519,761

 

183,352

 

 

7.28

%

 

2,252,677

 

140,147

 

 

6.22

%

 

Noninterest-earning
assets

 

778,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

473,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

437,893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

4,407,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,992,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,690,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest checking

 

$

246,569

 

$

423

 

 

0.17

%

 

$

190,846

 

$

116

 

 

0.06

%

 

$

185,255

 

$

114

 

 

0.06

%

 

Money market

 

890,400

 

17,753

 

 

1.99

%

 

719,372

 

6,494

 

 

0.90

%

 

668,881

 

3,716

 

 

0.56

%

 

Savings

 

132,130

 

222

 

 

0.17

%

 

97,144

 

179

 

 

0.18

%

 

82,101

 

102

 

 

0.12

%

 

Time deposits

 

436,669

 

14,821

 

 

3.39

%

 

226,538

 

4,298

 

 

1.90

%

 

257,930

 

3,192

 

 

1.24

%

 

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,705,768

 

33,219

 

 

1.95

%

 

1,233,900

 

11,087

 

 

0.90

%

 

1,194,167

 

7,124

 

 

0.60

%

 

Borrowings and subordinated
debentures

 

435,640

 

26,421

 

 

6.06

%

 

227,376

 

11,830

 

 

5.20

%

 

172,459

 

7,293

 

 

4.23

%

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

2,141,408

 

59,640

 

 

2.79

%

 

1,461,276

 

22,917

 

 

1.57

%

 

1,366,626

 

14,417

 

 

1.05

%

 

Non interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

1,387,919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,072,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

933,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

46,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

3,575,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,576,699

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,339,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

832,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

416,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

350,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

4,407,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,992,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,690,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

$

241,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

160,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

125,730

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest spread

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.52

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.71

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.17

%

 

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.67

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.37

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.58

%

 


(1)             Includes nonaccrual loans and loan fees.

(2)             Yields on loans and securities have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis because the impact is not material.

Our net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as a “volume change,” as well as changes in the yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on deposits and borrowed funds, referred to as a “rate change.” The change in interest income/expense attributable to volume reflects the change in volume multiplied by the prior year’s rate and the change in interest income/expense attributable to rate reflects the change in rates multiplied by the prior year’s volume. The changes in interest income and expense which are not attributable specifically to either volume or rate are allocated ratably between the two categories. The following table presents, for the years indicated, changes in interest income and expense and the amount of change attributable to changes in volume and rates.

37




Analysis of Net Interest Income Changes

 

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

 

 

Total
Increase

 

Increase (Decrease)
Due to

 

Total
Increase

 

Increase (Decrease)
Due to

 

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

(Decrease)

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Loans, net of unearned income

 

$

117,867

 

$

98,474

 

$

19,393

 

 

$

44,027

 

 

$

24,698

 

$

19,329

 

Investment securities

 

1,300

 

(691

)

1,991

 

 

(1,684

)

 

(2,365

)

681

 

Federal funds sold

 

(948

)

(1,336

)

388

 

 

891

 

 

154

 

737

 

Other earning assets

 

26

 

23

 

3

 

 

(29

)

 

(34

)

5

 

Total interest income

 

118,245

 

96,470

 

21,775

 

 

43,205

 

 

22,453

 

20,752

 

Interest checking

 

307

 

42

 

265

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

(1

)

Money market

 

11,259

 

1,851

 

9,408

 

 

2,778

 

 

299

 

2,479

 

Savings

 

43

 

60

 

(17

)

 

77

 

 

21

 

56

 

Time deposits

 

10,523

 

5,686

 

4,837

 

 

1,106

 

 

(427

)

1,533

 

Borrowings and subordinated debentures

 

14,591

 

9,819

 

4,772

 

 

4,537

 

 

1,602

 

2,935

 

Total interest expense

 

36,723

 

17,458

 

19,265

 

 

8,500

 

 

1,498

 

7,002

 

Net interest income

 

$

81,522

 

$

79,012

 

$

2,510

 

 

$

34,705

 

 

$

20,955

 

$

13,750

 

 

2006 compared to 2005

The increase in net interest income in 2006 over 2005 was due primarily to an increase in both loan volume and loan yield. Loan volume increased due to loan growth, both from acquisitions and organic growth. Our net interest income is impacted by the significant amount of noninterest-bearing demand deposits in our balance sheet. We endeavor to acquire and maintain demand deposits which averaged $1.4 billion during 2006, or 45% of total average deposits. Maintaining this high percentage of noninterest-bearing demand deposits to total deposits contributed to our overall cost of deposits being 1.07% for 2006 compared to 0.48% for 2005.

Loans increased $1.2 billion during 2006 including organic growth of $259.3 million. During 2006 average loans represented 94% of the total average interest-earning assets compared to 89% for 2005. Maintaining a high concentration of average loans to average interest-earning assets is a key factor in increasing interest income and maintaining our net interest margin, since loan yields are usually higher than yields on investment securities. The yield on average loans increased 81 basis points during 2006. In response to the market interest rate changes made by the Federal Reserve Bank our base lending rate increased to 8.25% at December 31, 2006 from 7.25% at December 31, 2005. Approximately 45% of our loan portfolio is eligible to reprice immediately as our base lending rate changes.

Interest expense increased in 2006 compared to 2005 due largely to an increase in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities and, to a lesser extent, from the increase in amounts borrowed to fund loan growth. Interest-bearing deposit costs increased 105 basis points to 1.95% in 2006 compared to 2005, as a result of the higher-cost deposit bases of the banks we acquired and upward adjustments we made in rates offered on money market and certain time deposits in response to competition. The costs for borrowings and subordinated debentures also increased in 2006 as they have repriced in the higher interest rate environment. Our acquisitions, selective deposit repricing and the upward repricings of our borrowings resulted in a 122 basis point increase in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities for 2006 compared to 2005.

38




2005 compared to 2004

The growth in net interest income and the 79 basis point increase in out net interest margin for 2005 compared to 2004 was largely a result of higher average loan balances and increased loan yields, offset by higher funding costs.

Net interest income increased $34.7 million mostly as a result of the $334.2 million increase in average loans for 2005 compared to 2004. Interest earned on average loans increased $44.0 million in 2005 when compared to 2004; this increase was due mainly to increased average loans from both organic growth and acquisition activity coupled with increased yields. Organic loan growth totaled $121.1 million for 2005. In addition, average loans represented 89% of the total average earning-assets compared to 84% for 2004. The yield on average loans was 94 basis points higher for 2005 when compared to 2004 and was related to escalating market interest rates.

Interest expense increased in 2005 compared to 2004 due largely to an increase in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities and, to a lesser extent, from the increase in amounts borrowed to fund loan growth, deposit flows and acquisitions. The increase in market interest rates contributed to both the increase in our deposit costs and the upward repricing of our borrowings. The cost of all our deposits increased 15 basis points to 0.48% for 2005 compared to 2004. The cost of our interest-bearing liabilities increased 52 basis points to 1.57% for 2005 compared to 2004.

Provision for Credit Losses

The amount of the provision for credit losses in each year is a charge against earnings in that year. The provisions for credit losses are based on our reserve methodology and reflect our judgments about the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. In determining the amount of the provision, we consider certain quantitative and qualitative factors including our historical loan loss experience, the volume and type of lending we conduct, the results of our credit review process, the amounts of classified, criticized and nonperforming assets, regulatory policies, general economic conditions, underlying collateral values, off-balance sheet exposures, and other factors regarding collectibility and impairment. To the extent we experience, for example, increased levels of documentation deficiencies, adverse changes in collateral values, or negative changes in economic and business conditions which adversely affect our borrowers, our classified loans may increase. Increases in our classified loans generally result in provisions for credit losses.

We made provisions for credit losses totaling $9.6 million during 2006, $1.4 million during 2005 and $465,000 during 2004. The 2006 provision for credit losses was composed of an $8.0 million addition to the allowance for loan losses and a $1.6 million addition to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. The 2005 provision for credit losses was composed of a $1.3 million addition to the allowance for loan losses and $75,000 added to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. Net loans charged-off in 2006 increased by $230,000 to $1.4 million when compared to 2005.

The second quarter of 2006 provision for credit losses was made in response to an increase in nonaccrual loans, the credit quality of an acquired portfolio, our analysis of current market conditions related to real estate loans, and organic loan growth. Our integration procedures and internal credit review indicated that the underlying credit quality of certain of the Cedars-acquired loans was deficient compared to our standards. As a result, we adversely classified certain Cedars-acquired loans in accordance with our criteria. The actions we took to reduce these classified loans were successful and the number and dollar amount of classified loans has been reduced. The provision for 2005 was in response to loan growth and the level of nonaccrual loans. During 2005, foreign loans totaling $9.5 million were placed on nonaccrual; by the end of 2005, these loans were either repaid, charged off or returned to accrual status. The provision for 2004 was in response to loan growth.

39




The allowance for credit losses was $61.2 million, or 1.46% of loans, net of unearned income, at December 31, 2006, and $33.0 million, or 1.34% of loans, net of unearned income, at the end of 2005. The allowance for loan losses totaled $52.9 million at December 31, 2006 and $27.3 million at the end of 2005.

Increased provisions for credit losses may be required in the future based on loan and unfunded commitment growth and based on the effect of changes in economic conditions, such as the level of interest rates and real estate values, have on the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. See “—Critical Accounting Policies,” “—Financial Condition—Allowance for Credit Losses,” and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Noninterest Income

The following table sets forth the details of noninterest income for the years indicated. The columns titled “Increase (Decrease)” set forth the year-over-year changes between 2006 and 2005 and between 2005 and 2004.

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

2005

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Noninterest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

$

8,835

 

 

$

2,468

 

 

$

6,367

 

 

$

(1,931

)

 

$

8,298

 

Other commissions and fees

 

6,420

 

 

2,240

 

 

4,180

 

 

183

 

 

3,997

 

Gain on sale of loans

 

 

 

(596

)

 

596

 

 

(1,208

)

 

1,804

 

Gain (loss) on sale of securities

 

(2,332

)

 

(2,287

)

 

(45

)

 

(39

)

 

(6

)

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance

 

2,205

 

 

577

 

 

1,628

 

 

(270

)

 

1,898

 

Other income

 

1,338

 

 

286

 

 

1,052

 

 

(178

)

 

1,230

 

Total noninterest income

 

$

16,466

 

 

$

2,688

 

 

$

13,778

 

 

$

(3,443

)

 

$

17,221

 

 

2006 compared to 2005

Noninterest income increased $2.7 million to $16.5 million for 2006 compared to 2005. The increases in noninterest income categories result largely from increased service charges and fees for deposits, which are attributed to an increase in deposit volumes from our acquisitions, and increased fee income related to other services such as letters of credit and foreign exchange.

During 2006 we sold approximately $103 million in securities yielding 3.52% at a loss of approximately $2.3 million in an effort to reduce our reliance on borrowed funds and to improve net interest income. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce overnight borrowings that were costing 5.35%. The loss on sale of securities of $45,000 in 2005 related to the write-off of the remaining balance of an interest-only strip initially recorded at the time of a loan sale.

Income from the cash surrender value of life insurance policies increased for 2006 when compared to 2005. This increase is due to additions to our life insurance policy investments due to our acquisition activity and the income from all of our life insurance policies. The income is recognized as an appreciation of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies. It is noncash income and not subject to income tax. The tax-equivalent yield for our life insurance policies was 5.92% during 2006 compared to 5.18% during 2005. Our crediting rate, or yield for our life insurance policies, changes quarterly and is determined by the performance of the underlying investments. In addition, the increase in the overall yield is due in part to the policies acquired in the Foothill acquisition.

40




Other income includes a $642,000 gain related to the recognition of a discount upon the pay-off of an acquired loan; there was no such item in 2005.

2005 compared to 2004

Noninterest income decreased $3.4 million to $13.8 million for 2005 compared to $17.2 million in 2004. This decrease results largely from lower service charges on deposit accounts which declined due to the effect increased market interest rates had on fee income on business accounts. Fees received for “not-sufficient-funds” also declined $470,000 as we worked to reduce our overdraft exposure in relation to certain customers.

Gain on sale of loans declined $1.2 million. The 2004 balance includes a gain of $975,000 on the sale of an acquired charged-off loan; there was no such item in 2005. The remaining gain on sale of loans resulted from the sale of $6.8 million of SBA loans in both 2005 and 2004.

Income from cash surrender value of life insurance policies declined for 2005 when compared to 2004 due to a decline in the tax-equivalent yield. The tax-equivalent yield for our life insurance policies was 5.18% during 2005 compared to 6.38% during 2004. The decline in the yield on our life insurance policies results mostly from a decline in the market performance on the securities portfolio underlying the life insurance policies.

Other income includes fees related to loan referral programs for SBA loans and single family mortgages totaling $480,000 for 2005 compared to $792,000 for 2004; these fees decreased mostly as a result of lower volumes in the single family mortgage program.

Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth the details of noninterest expense for the years indicated. The columns titled “Increase (Decrease)” set forth the year-over-year changes between 2006 and 2005 and between 2005 and 2004.

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

2005

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Noninterest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

$

65,505

 

 

$

16,882

 

 

$

48,623

 

 

$

3,403

 

 

$

45,220

 

Occupancy

 

15,296

 

 

4,563

 

 

10,733

 

 

275

 

 

10,458

 

Furniture and equipment

 

4,034

 

 

1,304

 

 

2,730

 

 

(193

)

 

2,923

 

Data processing

 

6,317

 

 

1,448

 

 

4,869

 

 

86

 

 

4,783

 

Other professional services

 

5,072

 

 

524

 

 

4,548

 

 

422

 

 

4,126

 

Business development

 

1,591

 

 

403

 

 

1,188

 

 

(63

)

 

1,251

 

Communications

 

3,103

 

 

1,110

 

 

1,993

 

 

(16

)

 

2,009

 

Insurance and assessments

 

2,121

 

 

406

 

 

1,715

 

 

68

 

 

1,647

 

Intangible asset amortization

 

6,688

 

 

3,081

 

 

3,607

 

 

354

 

 

3,253

 

Reorganization charges

 

1,822

 

 

1,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

9,906

 

 

2,610

 

 

7,296

 

 

1,139

 

 

6,157

 

Total noninterest expense

 

$

121,455

 

 

$

34,153

 

 

$

87,302

 

 

$

5,475

 

 

$

81,827

 

Efficiency ratio

 

47.0

%

 

 

 

 

50.1

%

 

 

 

 

57.2

%

Noninterest expense as a percentage of average assets

 

2.8

%

 

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

 

 

3.0

%

 

41




2006 compared to 2005

Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, totaled $121.5 million compared to $87.3 million for the same period in 2005. The increase is due to a combination of acquisitions, business growth, and reorganization charges. Occupancy costs increased due to additional office locations added by acquisitions and all other expenses increased due to the acquisitions. The reorganization costs of $1.8 million represent an accrual for severance costs associated with the Community Bancorp acquisition, the consolidation of branch offices, and other costs associated with Pacific Western’s charter-conversion and merger with First National. At December 31, 2006, the remaining liability for these accrued reorganization costs totaled $788,000 and related mostly to future rent for vacant facilities and signage replacement. During the first half of 2007, we expect to consolidate several branch locations and recognize a consolidation charge of approximately $1.0 million when we cease to use the duplicate facilities.

Noninterest expense includes noncash amounts for intangible asset amortization and stock-based compensation. Intangible asset amortization expense relates to the periods since each acquisition and, therefore, the annual amortization charge naturally increased due to the volume of acquisitions. We recorded core deposit intangibles totaling $29.8 million for our 2006 acquisitions and these intangible assets each have an estimated life of 10 years. We estimate the amortization expense for core deposit and customer relationship intangibles to be approximately $8.5 million for 2007.

Compensation expense includes $7.6 million for 2006 and $4.0 million for 2005 related to shares of restricted and performance stock awarded to employees beginning in July 2003. Restricted stock vests either in increments over a three to four year period or at the end of such period. Performance stock vests when certain Company earnings targets are achieved. Stock compensation expense related to all outstanding unvested restricted and performance stock, including awards made in February 2007, is estimated to be $8.6 million in 2007. This estimate is subject to change based on additional awards which may be made, forfeitures which may occur, and progress towards meeting performance goals.

2005 compared to 2004

The $5.5 million increase in noninterest expense for 2005 compared to 2004 relates mostly to our acquisition activity as we completed four acquisitions from March 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. Separate from the impact of our acquisitions on our overhead costs were increases in the compensation, other professional services and other expense categories. Compensation increased due mostly to additional staff added through our acquisitions as well as pay rate increases, and increased incentive accruals and employee benefit costs. Other professional services increased due to legal fees for litigation and continued compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley. During 2005, we defended the Gilbert Litigation which resulted in legal fees of approximately $900,000 after insurance reimbursements of approximately $690,000. As further described in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data” we reached a settlement in principle in the Gilbert Litigation. Pursuant to the proposed settlement, we accrued an expense of $775,000 in 2005 which is included in other noninterest expense.

The remaining increases were due to both the impact of our acquisitions and the need to support our customer service and loan growth. Other noninterest expense includes ongoing loan-related costs, customer-related expenses, correspondent bank charges, operating losses, shareholder expenses, director fees and other staff-related costs, as well as the accrued expense for the proposed legal settlement.

42




Income Taxes

Effective income tax rates were 40.4%, 41.1%, and 40.1% for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The difference in the effective tax rates between the years relates mainly to tax credits and the amount of tax exempt income recorded in each of the years. For further information on income taxes, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Financial Condition

Loans

The following table presents the balance of each major category of loans at December 31:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans

 

Amounts

 

% of
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Loan Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

$

752,817

 

 

18

%

 

$

639,393

 

 

26

%

 

$

604,995

 

 

28

%

 

$

426,796

 

 

26

%

 

$

382,584

 

 

27

%

 

Real estate—construction

 

939,463

 

 

22

 

 

570,080

 

 

23

 

 

410,167

 

 

19

 

 

347,321

 

 

22

 

 

354,296

 

 

25

 

 

Real estate—mortgage

 

2,374,010

 

 

57

 

 

1,117,030

 

 

45

 

 

967,270

 

 

46

 

 

712,390

 

 

45

 

 

578,556

 

 

40

 

 

Consumer

 

45,984

 

 

1

 

 

47,221

 

 

2

 

 

42,723

 

 

2

 

 

31,383

 

 

2

 

 

35,393

 

 

3

 

 

Foreign:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

83,359

 

 

2

 

 

94,930

 

 

4

 

 

88,428

 

 

4

 

 

67,821

 

 

4

 

 

59,995

 

 

4

 

 

Other

 

6,778

 

 

*

 

 

8,320

 

 

*

 

 

11,731

 

 

1

 

 

14,895

 

 

1

 

 

18,504

 

 

1

 

 

Total gross loans

 

4,202,411

 

 

100

%

 

2,476,974

 

 

100

%

 

2,125,314

 

 

100

%

 

1,600,606

 

 

100

%

 

1,429,328

 

 

100

%

 

Less unearned income

 

(12,868

)

 

 

 

 

(9,146

)

 

 

 

 

(7,143

)

 

 

 

 

(4,769

)

 

 

 

 

(4,932

)

 

 

 

 

Loans, net of unearned income

 

4,189,543

 

 

 

 

 

2,467,828

 

 

 

 

 

2,118,171

 

 

 

 

 

1,595,837

 

 

 

 

 

1,424,396

 

 

 

 

 

Less allowance for loan losses

 

(52,908

)

 

 

 

 

(27,303

)

 

 

 

 

(24,083

)

 

 

 

 

(22,531

)

 

 

 

 

(21,392

)

 

 

 

 

Total net loans

 

$

4,136,635

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,440,525

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,094,088

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,573,306

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,403,004

 

 

 

 

 

Loans held for sale

 

$

173,319

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 


* Amount is less than 1%.

Loans held for sale are composed primarily of SBA 7a and 504 loans. We acquired approximately $128.1 million of loans held for sale with the Community Bancorp acquisition and subsequently we reclassified a portion of our SBA 7a portfolio to loans held for sale. We intend to sell these loans as market conditions permit while originating additional loans for future sales.

2006 compared to 2005

Loans, net of unearned income, increased $1.9 billion, including organic growth of $259.3 million and acquired loans of $1.6 billion. The majority of our loan portfolio is concentrated in commercial and real estate loans. We recently decided to allow our foreign loan portfolio to repay in the ordinary course of business without making any new privately-insured foreign loans other than those under existing commitments. Our foreign loans are primarily to individuals and entities located in Mexico. All of our foreign loans are denominated in U.S. dollars and the majority are collateralized by assets located in the United States or guaranteed or insured by businesses located in the United States. In addition to our outstanding foreign loans, our foreign loan commitments totaled $19.0 million at December 31, 2006.

43




2005 compared to 2004

In 2005, loans, net of unearned income, grew by $349.6 million, including organic growth of $121.1 million and acquired loans of $228.5 million.

Loan Interest Rate Sensitivity

The following table presents our interest rate sensitivity analysis at the date indicated with respect to certain individual categories of loans and provides separate analyses with respect to fixed rate loans and floating rate loans as of December 31, 2006:

 

 

Repricing or Maturing In

 

 

 

1 year
or less

 

Over 1 to
5 years

 

Over
5 years

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Loan Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

$

454,908

 

$

149,169

 

$

148,740

 

$

752,817

 

Real estate—construction

 

784,585

 

114,701

 

40,177

 

939,463

 

Foreign

 

73,802

 

8,640

 

7,695

 

90,137

 

Total

 

$

1,313,295

 

$

272,510

 

$

196,612

 

$

1,782,417

 

 

 

 

Fixed
Rate

 

Floating
Rate

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Domestic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

$

137,462

 

$

615,355

 

$

752,817

 

Real estate—construction

 

101,329

 

838,134

 

939,463

 

Foreign

 

12,948

 

77,189

 

90,137

 

Total

 

$

251,739

 

$

1,530,678

 

$

1,782,417

 

 

Approximately $2.4 billion of commercial real estate mortgage loans are not included in the above tables. Of the $2.4 billion, approximately $993.2 million are fixed rate loans with a weighted average period until the next repricing date of 7 years.

Nonperforming Assets

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our nonaccrual loans and other nonperforming assets:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Nonaccrual loans

 

$

22,095

 

$

8,422

 

$

8,911

 

$

7,411

 

$

10,216

 

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonperforming loans

 

22,095

 

8,422

 

8,911

 

7,411

 

10,216

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

 

 

3,117

 

Total nonperforming assets

 

$

22,095

 

$

8,422

 

$

8,911

 

$

7,411

 

$

13,333

 

Nonperforming loans to loans, net of deferred fees and costs

 

0.51

%

0.34

%

0.42

%

0.46

%

0.72

%

Nonperforming assets to loans and other real estate owned

 

0.51

%

0.34

%

0.42

%

0.46

%

0.93

%

 

44




The decline in nonaccrual loans as a percent of total loans since 2002 is attributed to our underwriting criteria and workout of troubled loans from acquisitions. During 2006, however, we experienced an increase in nonaccrual loans largely from acquired portfolios. Changes in nonaccrual loans quarter over quarter during 2006 are as follows: first quarter, increase of $3.1 million; second quarter, increase of $4.1 million; third quarter, increase of $5.3 million; and fourth quarter, increase of $1.2 million. The fourth quarter increase includes the addition of Community Bancorp’s nonaccrual loans of $7.8 million and a net decrease of $6.6 million in nonaccrual loans reported at the end of the third quarter. Approximately 78% of our nonaccrual loans at year end are covered by SBA guarantees. During the second quarter of 2006 we adversely classified certain Cedars-acquired loans in accordance with our criteria. The actions we took to reduce these classified loans have been successful and the number and dollar amount of classified loans has been reduced. At December 31, 2006, the ratio of nonaccrual loans to total loans, including loans held for sale, was 0.51%.

Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the borrowers are past due 90 days and/or when payment in full of principal or interest is not expected. At the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest income previously accrued but not collected is reversed and charged against current period income. Income on nonaccrual loans is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash is received and the loan’s principal balance is deemed collectible. Loans are restored to accrual status only when the loans become both well secured and are in the process of collection.

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. If the measurement of impairment for the loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, a valuation allowance is established with a corresponding charge to operations to increase the allowance for loan losses.

As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, there were no loans past due over 90 days and still accruing interest. Additional interest income of $2.0 million, $788,000 and $571,000, would have been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 if nonaccrual loans had been performing in accordance with their original terms. Interest income of $944,000, $107,000, and $163,000 was recorded on loans transferred to a nonaccrual status for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is the combination of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for loan losses is reported as a reduction of outstanding loan balances and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is included within other liabilities. On December 31, 2004, we reclassified to other liabilities our reserve for unfunded loan commitments which was previously included with the allowance for loan losses. When we determined the amount of our allowance for loan losses applicable to the real estate loan portion of our portfolio, we included both real estate loan balances and real estate loan commitments because the commitments related to loans which existed and the commitment amounts were expected to be disbursed. We followed this practice through September 30, 2005. At December 31, 2005, we decided to use commitments for all categories of loans in determining our reserve for unfunded loan commitments. Accordingly, we reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments the commitment reserve related to real estate loans that was previously included in the allowance for loan losses prior to December 31, 2005. Generally, as loans are funded, the amount of the commitment reserve applicable to such funded loans will be transferred from the reserve for unfunded loan commitments to the allowance for loan losses based on our reserving methodology. These reclassifications are reflected in the allowance for credit loss tables included in Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data” and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

45




An allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to adequately provide for known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and other extensions of credit at the balance sheet date. The allowance is based upon a continuing review of the portfolio, past loan loss experience, current economic conditions which may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay, and the underlying collateral value of the loans. Loans which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance. The provision for loan losses and recoveries on loans previously charged off are added to the allowance.

The methodology we use to estimate the amount of our allowance for credit losses is based on both objective and subjective criteria. While some criteria are formula driven, other criteria are subjective inputs included to capture environmental and general economic risk elements which may trigger losses in the loan portfolio, and to account for the varying levels of credit quality in the loan portfolios of the entities we have acquired, that have not yet been captured in our objective loss factors.

Specifically, our allowance methodology contains four elements: (a) amounts based on specific evaluations of impaired loans; (b) amounts of estimated losses on several pools of loans categorized by type; (c) amounts of estimated losses for loans adversely classified based on our loan review process; and (d) amounts for environmental and general economic factors that indicate probable losses were incurred but were not captured through the other elements of our allowance process.

Impaired loans are identified at each reporting date based on certain criteria and individually reviewed for impairment. Allowance amounts for these loans are based upon the fair value of the loan’s collateral if the loan is collateral dependent or the present value of cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, if the loan is not collateralized.

Our non-impaired loan portfolio is broken down into several pools for purposes of determining allowance amounts by pool and within those pools for adversely classified loans. The pools we currently evaluate are: real estate construction, real estate other, commercial collateralized, commercial unsecured, consumer, foreign, asset-based, and factoring. The allowance amounts for loans not adversely classified are determined using historical loss rates developed through a migration analysis. The allowance amounts for adversely classified loans are also determined through migration analysis adjusted for historical loss rates on similarly classified loans.

Finally, in order to ensure our allowance methodology is incorporating recent trends and economic conditions, we apply environmental and general economic factors to our allowance methodology including: credit concentrations; delinquency trends; economic and business conditions; external factors such as fuel and building materials prices, the effects of adverse weather, and hostilities; the quality of lending management and staff; lending policies and procedures; loss and recovery trends; nature and volume of the portfolio; nonaccrual loan trends; other adjustments for items not covered by other factors; problem loan trends; and quality of loan review.

Based on our methodology and its components, management believes the resulting allowance for credit losses is adequate and appropriate for the risk identified in the Company’s loan portfolio.

The Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is sensitive to the assigned credit risk ratings and inherent loss rates at any given point in time. Therefore, we perform a sensitivity analysis to provide insight regarding the impact adverse changes in risk ratings may have on our allowance for loan losses. The sensitivity analysis does not imply any expectation of future deterioration in our loans’ risk ratings and it does not necessarily reflect the nature and extent of future changes in the allowance for loan losses due to the numerous quantitative and qualitative factors considered in determining our allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2006, in the event that 1 percent of our loans were downgraded from the pass to substandard category within our current allowance methodology, the allowance for loan losses would have increased by approximately $10.6 million. Given current processes employed by the Company,

46




management believes the risk ratings and inherent loss rates currently assigned are appropriate. It is possible that others, given the same information, may at any point in time reach different reasonable conclusions that could be material to the Company’s financial statements.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. In making its evaluation, management considers certain qualitative factors including the Company’s historical loss experience, the volume and type of lending conducted by the Company, the amounts of classified and nonperforming assets, regulatory policies, general economic conditions, underlying collateral values, and other factors regarding collectibility and impairment. To the extent we experience, for example, increased levels of documentation deficiencies, adverse changes in collateral values, or negative changes in economic and business conditions which adversely affect our borrowers, our classified loans may increase. Higher levels of classified loans generally result in higher allowances for loan losses.

Management also believes that the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is adequate. In making this determination, we use the same methodology for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments as we do for the allowance for loan losses and consider the same qualitative factors, as well as an estimate of the probability of advances of the commitments correlated to their credit risk rating.

The following table presents the changes in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

27,303

 

$

24,083

 

$

22,531

 

$

21,392

 

$

11,209

 

Loans charged off:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

(1,083

)

(1,646

)

(2,830

)

(3,331

)

(2,764

)

Real estate—construction

 

(144

)

 

 

 

 

Real estate—mortgage

 

 

(100

)

(128

)

 

(537

)

Consumer

 

(189

)

(180

)

(305

)

(1,145

)

(1,488

)

Foreign

 

(1,691

)

(1,592

)

(344

)

 

 

Total loans charged off

 

(3,107

)

(3,518

)

(3,607

)

(4,476

)

(4,789

)

Recoveries on loans charged off:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

1,361

 

2,106

 

1,653

 

2,453

 

2,036

 

Real estate—mortgage

 

 

11

 

64

 

84

 

737

 

Consumer

 

171

 

241

 

311

 

468

 

418

 

Foreign

 

187

 

2

 

50

 

 

6

 

Total recoveries on loans charged off

 

1,719

 

2,360

 

2,078

 

3,005

 

3,197

 

Net loans charged off

 

(1,388

)

(1,158

)

(1,529

)

(1,471

)

(1,592

)

Provision for loan losses

 

7,977

 

1,345

 

(521

)

48

 

(2,902

)

Additions due to acquisitions

 

19,016

 

3,033

 

3,602

 

2,562

 

14,677

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

52,908

 

$

27,303

 

$

24,083

 

$

22,531

 

$

21,392

 

Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income at year end

 

1.26

%

1.11

%

1.14

%

1.41

%

1.50

%

Net loans charged off as a percentage of average loans

 

0.07

%

0.05

%

0.08

%

0.10

%

0.16

%

 

47




The following table presents the changes in our reserve for unfunded loan commitments for the periods indicated:

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002(1)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

5,668

 

$

5,424

 

$

3,221

 

$

2,902

 

$

 

Provision

 

1,623

 

75

 

986

 

252

 

2,902

 

Additions due to acquisitions

 

980

 

169

 

1,217

 

67

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

8,271

 

$

5,668

 

$

5,424

 

$

3,221

 

$

2,902

 


(1)          The 2002 beginning balance is included in the allowance for loan losses.

The following table presents the balance of our allowance for credit losses, nonperforming assets and certain credit quality measures for the periods indicated:

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

$

52,908

 

$

27,303

 

$

24,083

 

$

22,531

 

$

21,392

 

Reserve for unfunded loan commitments

 

8,271

 

5,668

 

5,424

 

3,221

 

2,902

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

$

61,179

 

$

32,971

 

$

29,507

 

$

25,752

 

$

24,294

 

NONPERFORMING ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonaccrual loans

 

$

22,095

 

$

8,422

 

$

8,911

 

$

7,411

 

$

10,216

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

 

 

3,117

 

Total nonperforming assets

 

$

22,095

 

$

8,422

 

$

8,911

 

$

7,411

 

$

13,333

 

Allowance for credit losses to loans, net of unearned income

 

1.46

%

1.34

%

1.39

%

1.61

%

1.71

%

Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans

 

276.9

%

391.5

%

331.1

%

347.5

%

237.8

%

Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming assets

 

276.9

%

391.5

%

331.1

%

347.5

%

182.2

%

 

The increase in the allowance for loan losses in 2006 compared to 2005 is due to the 2006 acquisitions, organic loan growth, the level of net charge-offs and the nonaccrual loan trend. Based on our experience, we believe that the allowance for loan losses of $52.9 million at December 31, 2006 is adequate to cover known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. See “—Critical Accounting Policies” and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

48




The following table allocates the allowance for loan losses based on our judgment of inherent losses in the respective categories. While we have allocated the allowance to various portfolio segments for purposes of this table, the allowance for loan losses is general and is available for the portfolio in its entirety:

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

 

Commercial

 

Real
Estate

 

Consumer

 

Foreign

 

Total

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

$

9,719

 

 

$

39,235

 

 

$

553

 

 

$

3,401

 

$

52,908

 

% of loans to total loans

 

 

18

%

 

79

%

 

1

%

 

2

%

100

%

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

$

10,958

 

 

$

14,843

 

 

$

412

 

 

$

1,090

 

$

27,303

 

% of loans to total loans

 

 

26

%

 

68

%

 

2

%

 

4

%

100

%

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

$

11,091

 

 

$

12,392

 

 

$

285

 

 

$

315

 

$

24,083

 

% of loans to total loans

 

 

28

%

 

65

%

 

2

%

 

5

%

100

%

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

$

11,799

 

 

$

10,134

 

 

$

356

 

 

$

242

 

$

22,531

 

% of loans to total loans

 

 

27

%

 

66

%

 

2

%

 

5

%

100

%

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

$

11,603

 

 

$

9,024

 

 

$

405

 

 

$

360

 

$

21,392

 

% of loans to total loans

 

 

28

%

 

65

%

 

2

%

 

5

%

100

%

 

The allocation of the allowance for loan losses related to real estate loans increased in 2006 compared to 2005 as our concentration of real estate loans increased in 2006 to 79% of our loans held in our portfolio from 68% in 2005. Commercial loan concentration decreased in the same period resulting in a lower allocation of the allowance for loan losses.

Investment Portfolio

Our investment activities are designed to assist in maximizing income consistent with quality and liquidity requirements, to supply collateral to secure public funds on deposit and lines of credit, and to provide a means for balancing market and credit risks through changing economic times.

Our portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency obligations, obligations of government-sponsored entities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and Federal Home Loan Bank stock. Our investment portfolio contains no investments in any one issuer in excess of 10% of our total shareholders’ equity. We excluded securities of the U.S. Treasury, U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities from this calculation. We do, however, own Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation guaranteed securities that have carrying values of $24.4 million and $16.1 million at December 31, 2006.

49




The following table presents the composition of our investment portfolio at the dates indicated:

Investment Portfolio

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$      986

 

$         —

 

$         87

 

Government-sponsored entity securities

 

53,064

 

46,788

 

12,312

 

States and political subdivisions

 

9,446

 

9,054

 

10,406

 

Mortgage-backed and other securities

 

27,885

 

156,759

 

222,590

 

Subtotal

 

91,381

 

212,601

 

245,395

 

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

28,747

 

26,753

 

24,112

 

Total investments

 

$ 120,128

 

$ 239,354

 

$ 269,507

 

 

In an effort to reduce our reliance on borrowed funds and to improve net interest income we sold approximately $103 million in mortgage-backed securities yielding 3.52% at a loss of approximately $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce overnight borrowings that were costing 5.35%.

The following table presents a summary of yields and contractual maturities of debt securities at December 31, 2006:

Analysis of Investment Yields and Maturities
December 31, 2006

 

 

One Year
or Less

 

One Year
Through
Five Years

 

Five Years
Through
Ten Years

 

Over Ten Years

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Yield

 

Amount

 

Yield

 

Amount

 

Yield

 

Amount

 

Yield

 

Amount

 

Yield

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

 

$   986

 

 

 

2.78

%

 

 

$     —

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

$   —

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

$     —

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

$   986

 

 

 

2.78

%

 

Government-sponsored entity securities

 

 

40,895

 

 

 

3.65

%

 

 

12,169

 

 

 

3.71

%

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

53,064

 

 

 

3.66

%

 

States and political subdivisions

 

 

2,896

 

 

 

4.80

%

 

 

3,529

 

 

 

4.79

%

 

 

2,936

 

 

 

4.88

%

 

 

85

 

 

 

3.82

%

 

 

9,446

 

 

 

4.82

%

 

Mortgage-backed and other securities

 

 

1,674

 

 

 

4.70

%

 

 

123

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

4,788

 

 

 

4.93

%

 

 

21,300

 

 

 

4.87

%

 

 

27,885

 

 

 

4.85

%

 

Total investments(1)

 

 

$ 46,451

 

 

 

3.74

%

 

 

$ 15,821

 

 

 

3.92

%

 

 

$ 7,724

 

 

 

4.91

%

 

 

$ 21,385

 

 

 

4.86

%

 

 

$ 91,381

 

 

 

4.13

%

 


(1)             Yields on securities have not been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis because the impact is not material.

At December 31, 2006, our investment portfolio included $50.9 million of investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer; such unrealized loss totaled $523,000. All of these securities have been issued by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored entities and have a AAA credit rating as determined by various rating agencies. These securities have fluctuated in value since their purchase dates as a result of changes in market interest rates. We concluded that the continuous unrealized loss position for the past 12 months on these securities is a result of the level of market interest rates and not a result of the underlying issuers’ ability to repay and are, therefore, temporarily impaired. In addition, we have the ability to hold these securities until their fair value recovers to their cost. Accordingly, we have not recognized the temporary impairment in our consolidated statement of earnings.

50




Deposits

The following table presents a summary of our average deposits as of the dates indicated and average rates paid:

Analysis of Average Deposits

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Non-interest bearing

 

$ 1,387,919

 

 

$ 1,072,071

 

 

$  933,418

 

 

Interest checking

 

246,569

 

0.17

%

190,846

 

0.06

%

185,255

 

0.06

%

Money market

 

890,400

 

1.99

%

719,372

 

0.90

%

668,881

 

0.56

%

Savings

 

132,130

 

0.17

%

97,144

 

0.18

%

82,101

 

0.12

%

Time

 

436,669

 

3.39

%

226,538

 

1.90

%

257,930

 

1.24

%

Total deposits

 

$ 3,093,687

 

1.07

%

$ 2,305,971

 

0.48

%

$ 2,127,585

 

0.33

%

 

The increase in average deposits in 2006 is due primarily to our acquisitions. Deposit growth in 2005 is attributed mainly to the full year impact of the deposits acquired in 2004 and the addition of the deposits acquired in 2005.

Deposits by foreign customers, primarily located in Mexico and Canada, totaled $116.3 million, or approximately 3% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2006 and $101.7 million at December 31, 2005.

For time deposits of $100,000 or more, the following table presents a summary of maturities for the time periods indicated:

Maturity of Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

 

3 Months or
Less

 

Over 3 Months
Through
6 Months

 

Over 6 Months
Through
12 Months

 

Over
12 Months

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

$ 165,352

 

 

 

$ 85,535

 

 

 

$ 73,939

 

 

 

$ 27,538

 

 

$ 352,364

 

 

Borrowings

The holding company and the Bank have various lines of credit available. These include the ability to borrow funds from time to time on a short term or overnight basis from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, which we refer to as the FHLB, or other financial institutions. See “—Liquidity” and Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information on our borrowings.

At December 31, 2006, we had outstanding $499.0 million due to the FHLB, composed of $265.0 million of term advances and $234.0 million in overnight advances, and $149.2 million of subordinated debentures due to various investors. Of the $265.0 million in fixed-rate term advances, $200.0 million have an original stated maturity of two years with an option for the advances to be called by the FHLB on their one year anniversary dates in the fourth quarter of 2007.  If market rates are higher at that time, the advances will be called and the Bank will be required to repay the FHLB. The rates on these callable advances are 4.85% and 4.87%. At December 31, 2005, we had outstanding $85.0 million of term advances and $75.3 million in overnight advances due to the FHLB and $121.7 million of subordinated debentures due to various investors. Average borrowings increased to $302.9 million in 2006 compared to $227.4 million in 2005 due mostly to loan growth outpacing our deposit growth. Organic loan growth in excess of

51




deposit flows caused us to rely more heavily on outside borrowings to fund loan growth, which, after excluding loans from acquisitions, totaled $259.3 million in 2006. The maximum amount that we could borrow under our credit lines with the FHLB at December 31, 2006 is $753.8 million. These lines are secured by a blanket lien on certain qualifying loans in our loan portfolio as well as the majority of our available-for-sale investment securities.

Capital Resources

On May 16, 2005, we filed a registration statement with the SEC regarding the sale of up to 3,400,000 shares of our common stock, no par value per share, which we may offer and sell, from time to time, in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of any particular offering. To date, we have issued 2,935,766 shares of common stock under this registration statement for net proceeds of $158.5 million, including the sale of 1,891,086 shares of our common stock for $109.5 million in January 2006. We used these proceeds to augment our capital in support of our acquisitions. We expect to use the net proceeds from any additional sales of our securities to fund future acquisitions of banks and other financial institutions, as well as for general corporate purposes.

On May 3, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to one million shares of the Company’s common stock over the next twelve months, subject to market conditions and corporate and regulatory requirements. Through February 7, 2007, we had repurchased 277,600 shares at an aggregate cost of $14.9 million. The stock repurchase program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

Bank regulatory agencies measure capital adequacy through standardized risk-based capital guidelines which compare different levels of capital (as defined by such guidelines) to risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet obligations. Banks considered to be “adequately capitalized” are required to maintain a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8% of which at least 4.0% must be Tier 1 capital. Banking organizations considered to be “well capitalized” must maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 5% and a minimum risk-based capital ratio of 10% of which at least 6.0% must be Tier 1 capital.

The following table presents regulatory capital requirements and our regulatory capital ratios at December 31, 2006:

 

 

Regulatory Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

Adequately

 

Well

 

Actual

 

 

 

Capitalized

 

Capitalized

 

The Company

 

As of December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total risk-based capital ratio

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

10.00

%

 

 

12.18

%

 

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

6.00

%

 

 

10.94

%

 

Tier 1 leverage capital ratio

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

5.00

%

 

 

12.19

%

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, we exceeded each of the capital requirements of the FRB and were deemed to be “well capitalized.” In addition, as of December 31, 2006 Pacific Western exceeded the capital requirements to be “well capitalized.” For further information on regulatory capital, see Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The Company issued subordinated debentures to trusts that were established by either ourselves, Foothill or Community Bancorp which, in turn, issued trust preferred securities. These securities totaled $141.0 million at December 31, 2006 and are currently included in our Tier I capital for purposes of determining the Company’s Tier I and total risk-based capital ratios. The FRB, which is the holding company’s banking regulator, has promulgated a modification of the capital regulations affecting trust preferred securities. Under this modification, effective March 31, 2009, the Company will be required to

52




use a more restrictive formula to determine the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in regulatory Tier I capital. At that time, the Company will be allowed to include in Tier I capital an amount of trust preferred securities equal to no more than 25% of the sum of all core capital elements, which is generally defined as shareholders’ equity, less goodwill and any related deferred income tax liability. The regulations currently in effect through December 31, 2008, limit the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in Tier I capital to 25% of the sum of core capital elements without a deduction for goodwill. We have determined that our Tier I capital ratios would remain above the well-capitalized level had the modification of the capital regulations been in effect at December 31, 2006. We expect that our Tier I capital ratios will be at or above the existing well-capitalized levels on March 31, 2009, the first date on which the modified capital regulations must be applied.

Liquidity

The goals of our liquidity management are to ensure the ability of the Company to meet its financial commitments when contractually due and to respond to other demands for funds such as the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be either depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers who may need assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. We have an Executive Asset/Liability Management Committee, or ALM Committee, responsible for managing balance sheet and off-balance sheet commitments to meet the needs of customers while achieving our financial objectives. Our ALM Committee meets regularly to review funding capacities, current and forecasted loan demand, and investment opportunities.

Historically, the overall liquidity source of the Bank is its core deposit base. The Bank has not relied on significant amounts of large denomination time deposits. At December 31, 2006 the Bank’s brokered deposits totaled $55.0 million and mature by April of 2007. To meet short-term liquidity needs, the Bank maintains what we believe are adequate balances in Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions and investment securities having maturities of five years or less. On a consolidated basis, liquid assets (cash, Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions and investment securities available-for-sale) as a percent of total deposits were 6.6% as of December 31, 2006.

As another source of liquidity, the Company maintains a revolving credit line with U.S. Bank, N.A. for $70.0 million. Additionally, the Bank maintains unsecured lines of credit of $60.0 million with correspondent banks for purchase of overnight funds. These lines are subject to availability of funds. The Bank has also established a secured borrowing relationship with the FHLB pursuant to which the Bank may borrow approximately $753.8 million in the aggregate.

The primary sources of liquidity for the Company, on a stand-alone basis, include the dividends from the Bank, and our ability to raise capital, issue subordinated debt and secure outside borrowings. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The ability of the Company to obtain funds for the payment of dividends to our shareholders and for other cash requirements is largely dependent upon the Bank’s earnings. Pacific Western is subject to restrictions under certain federal and state laws and regulations which limit its ability to transfer funds to the Company through intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends. Dividends paid by state banks such as Pacific Western are regulated by the DFI under its general supervisory authority as it relates to a bank’s capital requirements. A state bank may declare a dividend without the approval of the DFI as long as the total dividends declared in a calendar year do not exceed either the retained earnings or the total of net profits for three previous fiscal years less any dividends paid during such period. See “Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholders Matters—Dividends.” During 2006, First Community received dividends of $50.0 million from the Bank. The amount of dividends available for payment by the Bank to the holding company at December 31, 2006, was $90.5 million. See Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

53




Contractual Obligations

The known contractual obligations of the Company at December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

 

At December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Within
One Year

 

One to
Three Years

 

Three to
 Five Years

 

After
Five Years

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Short-term debt obligations

 

$ 254,000

 

 

$         —

 

 

 

$       —

 

 

$         —

 

$ 254,000

 

Brokered deposits

 

55,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,000

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

 

 

245,000

 

 

 

 

 

149,219

 

394,219

 

Operating lease obligations

 

12,194

 

 

22,529

 

 

 

18,583

 

 

29,873

 

83,179

 

Other contractual obligations

 

2,750

 

 

8,250

 

 

 

2,062

 

 

 

13,062

 

Total

 

$ 323,944

 

 

$ 275,779

 

 

 

$ 20,645

 

 

$179,092

 

$ 799,460

 

 

Debt obligations and operating lease obligations are discussed in Notes 8 and 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The other contractual obligations relate to our minimum liability associated with our data and item processing contract with a third-party provider.

We believe that we will be able to meet our contractual obligations as they come due through the maintenance of adequate cash levels. We expect to maintain adequate cash levels through profitability, loan and securities repayment and maturity activity, and continued deposit gathering activities. We have in place various borrowing mechanisms for both short-term and long-term liquidity needs.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our obligations also include off-balance sheet arrangements consisting of loan-related commitments, of which only a portion are expected to be funded. At December 31, 2006, our loan-related commitments, including standby letters of credit and financial guarantees, totaled $1.3 billion. The commitments which result in a funded loan increase our profitability through net interest income. Therefore, during the year, we manage our overall liquidity taking into consideration funded and unfunded commitments as a percentage of our liquidity sources. Our liquidity sources, as described in “—Liquidity,” have been and are expected to be sufficient to meet the cash requirements of our lending activities. For further information on loan commitments see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information on recent accounting pronouncements and their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our market risk arises primarily from credit risk and interest rate risk inherent in our lending and financing activities. To manage our credit risk, we rely on adherence to our underwriting standards and loan policies as well as our allowance for credit losses methodology. To manage our exposure to changes in interest rates, we perform asset and liability management activities which are governed by guidelines pre-established by our Executive Asset/Liability Management Committee, which we refer to as our Executive ALM Committee, and approved by our Asset/Liability Management Committee of the Board of Directors, which we refer to as our Board ALCO. Our Executive ALM Committee monitors our compliance with our

54




asset/liability policies. These policies focus on providing sufficient levels of net interest income while considering acceptable levels of interest rate exposure as well as liquidity and capital constraints.

Market risk sensitive instruments are generally defined as derivatives and other financial instruments, which include investment securities, loans, deposits, and borrowings. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had not used any derivatives to alter our interest rate risk profile or for any other reason. However, both the repricing characteristics of our fixed rate loans and floating rate loans, as well as our significant percentage of noninterest-bearing deposits compared to interest-earning assets and callable features in certain borrowings, may influence our interest rate risk profile. Our financial instruments include loans receivable, Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions, Federal Home Loan Bank stock, investment securities, deposits, borrowings and subordinated debentures.

We measure our interest rate risk position on a quarterly basis using three methods: (i) net interest income simulation analysis; (ii) market value of equity modeling; and (iii) traditional gap analysis. The results of these analyses are reviewed by the Executive ALM Committee monthly and the Board ALCO quarterly. If hypothetical changes to interest rates cause changes to our simulated net present value of equity and/or net interest income outside our pre-established limits, we may adjust our asset and liability mix in an effort to bring our interest rate risk exposure within our established limits. We evaluated the results of our net interest income simulation and market value of equity models prepared as of December 31, 2006. These models indicate that our interest rate sensitivity is within limits approved by our Board ALCO and that our balance sheet is asset-sensitive. An asset-sensitive balance sheet suggests that in a rising interest rate environment, our net interest margin would increase, and during a falling or sustained low interest rate environment, our net interest margin would decrease.

Net interest income simulation.   We used a simulation model to measure the estimated changes in net interest income that would result over the next 12 months from immediate and sustained changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2006. This model is an interest rate risk management tool and the results are not necessarily an indication of our future net interest income. This model has inherent limitations and these results are based on a given set of rate changes and assumptions at one point in time. We have assumed no growth in either our interest-sensitive assets or liabilities over the next 12 months; therefore, the results reflect an interest rate shock to a static balance sheet.

This analysis calculates the difference between net interest income forecasted using both increasing and declining interest rate scenarios and net interest income forecasted using a base market interest rate derived from the current treasury yield curve. In order to arrive at the base case, we extend our balance sheet at December 31, 2006 one year and reprice any assets and liabilities that would contractually reprice or mature during that period using the products’ pricing as of December 31, 2006. Based on such repricings, we calculated an estimated net interest income and net interest margin. The effects of certain balance sheet attributes, such as fixed-rate loans, floating rate loans that have reached their floors and the volume of noninterest-bearing deposits as a percentage of earning assets, impact our assumptions and consequently the results of our interest rate risk management model. Changes that vary significantly from our assumptions include loan and deposit growth or contraction, changes in the mix of our earning assets or funding sources, and future asset/liability management decisions, all of which may have significant effects on our net interest income.

The net interest income simulation model includes various assumptions regarding the repricing relationship for each of our assets and liabilities. Many of our assets are floating rate loans, which are assumed to reprice to the same extent as the change in market rates according to their contracted index. Some loans and investment vehicles include the opportunity of prepayment (imbedded options) and the simulation model uses national indexes to estimate these prepayments and reinvest these proceeds at current simulated yields. Our deposit products reprice at our discretion and are assumed to reprice more slowly in a rising interest rate environment, usually repricing less than the change in market rates. Also, a

55




callable option feature on certain borrowings will reprice differently in a rising interest rate environment than in a declining interest rate environment.

The simulation analysis does not account for all factors that impact this analysis, including changes by management to mitigate the impact of interest rate changes or the impact a change in interest rates may have on our credit risk profile, loan prepayment estimates and spread relationships which can change regularly. Interest rate changes cause changes in actual loan prepayment rates which will differ from the market estimates we used in this analysis. In addition, the simulation analysis does not make any assumptions regarding loan fee income, which is a component of our net interest income and tends to increase our net interest margin. Management reviews the model assumptions for reasonableness on a quarterly basis.

The following table presents as of December 31, 2006, forecasted net interest income and net interest margin for the next 12 months using a base market interest rate and the estimated change to the base scenario given an immediate and sustained upward and downward movement in interest rates of 100, 200 and 300 basis points.

Sensitivity of Net Interest Income for the next 12 months
as of December 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Scenario

 

 

 

Estimated Net 
Interest Income

 

Percentage Change 
from Base

 

Estimated Net 
Interest Margin

 

Estimated 
Net Interest 
Margin change 
from Base

 

Up 300 basis points

 

 

$302,043

 

 

 

8.5

%

 

 

6.65

%

 

 

0.51

%

 

Up 200 basis points

 

 

$294,302

 

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

6.48

%

 

 

0.35

%

 

Up 100 basis points

 

 

$286,451

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

6.31

%

 

 

0.18

%

 

BASE

 

 

$278,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.14

%

 

 

 

 

 

Down 100 basis points

 

 

$271,341

 

 

 

(2.5

)%

 

 

5.99

%

 

 

(0.15

)%

 

Down 200 basis points

 

 

$264,299

 

 

 

(5.1

)%

 

 

5.83

%

 

 

(0.30

)%

 

Down 300 basis points

 

 

$260,279

 

 

 

(6.5

)%

 

 

5.75

%

 

 

(0.39

)%

 

 

Our simulation results as of December 31, 2006 indicate our interest rate risk position was asset sensitive as the simulated impact of an immediate upward movement in interest rates would result in increases in net interest income over the subsequent 12 month period while an immediate downward movement in interest rates would result in a decrease in net interest income over the next 12 months. In comparing the December 31, 2006, simulation results to the end of 2005, our year-end 2006 model indicates we are less asset sensitive than the prior year-end period.  The decline in our asset sensitivity is mostly a result of: (i) the impact of our acquisition activity, including the addition of Foothill’s liability sensitive profile; (ii) deposit realignment due to acquisitions and the impact of the higher interest rate environment on customer deposit requirements; (iii) net deposit outflows being replaced with short-term FHLB advances; and (iv) the competitive forces on loan originations, such as our loan growth centered in mini-perms that have an initial rate adjustment after 5 years.

As of December 31, 2005, our net interest income simulation forecasted the following net interest income and net interest margin using a base market interest rate at that time and the estimated change to the base scenario given the interest rate scenarios presented. These results were not necessarily based on the same set of assumptions used in our year-end 2006 simulation.

56




Sensitivity of Net Interest Income for the next 12 months
as of December 31, 2005
(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Scenario

 

 

 

Estimated Net 
Interest Income

 

Percentage Change 
from Base

 

Estimated Net 
Interest Margin

 

Estimated 
Net Interest 
Margin change 
from Base

 

Up 300 basis points

 

 

$

209,106

 

 

 

16.9

%

 

 

7.47

%

 

 

1.07

%

 

Up 200 basis points

 

 

$

199,204

 

 

 

11.4

%

 

 

7.12

%

 

 

0.72

%

 

Up 100 basis points

 

 

$

189,070

 

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

6.77

%

 

 

0.37

%

 

BASE

 

 

$

178,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.40

%

 

 

 

 

 

Down 100 basis points

 

 

$

167,913

 

 

 

(6.1

)%

 

 

6.02

%

 

 

(0.38

)%

 

Down 200 basis points

 

 

$

159,161

 

 

 

(11.0

)%

 

 

5.71

%

 

 

(0.69

)%

 

Down 300 basis points

 

 

$

153,243

 

 

 

(14.3

)%

 

 

5.50

%

 

 

(0.90

)%

 

 

Market value of equity.   We measure the impact of market interest rate changes on the net present value of estimated cash flows from our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items, defined as the market value of equity, using a simulation model. This simulation model assesses the changes in the market value of our interest-sensitive financial instruments that would occur in response to an instantaneous and sustained increase or decrease in market interest rates of 100, 200 and 300 basis points. This analysis assigns significant value to our noninterest-bearing deposit balances. The projections are by their nature forward-looking and therefore inherently uncertain, and include various assumptions regarding cash flows and interest rates. This model is an interest rate risk management tool and the results are not necessarily an indication of our actual future results. Actual results may vary significantly from the results suggested by the market value of equity table. Loan prepayments and deposit attrition, changes in the mix of our earning assets or funding sources, and future asset/liability management decisions, among others, may vary significantly from our assumptions.

The base case is determined by applying various current market discount rates to the estimated cash flows from the different types of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items existing at December 31, 2006. The following table shows the projected change in the market value of equity for the set of rate shocks presented as of December 31, 2006.

Estimated Market Value of Equity as of December 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Scenario

 

 

 

Estimated 
Market Value

 

Percentage Change 
from Base

 

Percentage of 
Total Assets

 

Ratio of 
Estimated 
Market Value 
to Book Value

 

Up 300 basis points

 

 

$1,503,396

 

 

 

0.9

%

 

 

27.1

%

 

 

128.7

%

 

Up 200 basis points

 

 

$1,499,686

 

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

27.0

%

 

 

128.4

%

 

Up 100 basis points

 

 

$1,495,656

 

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

26.9

%

 

 

128.0

%

 

BASE

 

 

$1,490,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.8

%

 

 

127.6

%

 

Down 100 basis points

 

 

$1,478,633

 

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

 

26.6

%

 

 

126.6

%

 

Down 200 basis points

 

 

$1,456,727

 

 

 

(2.3

)%

 

 

26.2

%

 

 

124.7

%

 

Down 300 basis points

 

 

$1,418,554

 

 

 

(4.8

)%

 

 

25.5

%

 

 

121.4

%

 

 

The results of our market value of equity model indicate that an immediate and sustained increase in interest rates would increase the market value of equity from the base case while a decrease in interest rates would decrease the market value of equity. At December 31, 2006, the market value of equity changes from the base case were within the current Board-approved guidelines.

57




The following table shows the projected change in the market value of equity for the set of rate shocks presented as of December 31, 2005. These results are not necessarily based on the same set of assumptions used in our 2005 simulation.

Estimated Market Value of Equity as of December 31, 2005
(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Scenario

 

 

 

Estimated 
Market Value

 

Percentage Change 
from Base

 

Percentage of 
Total Assets

 

Ratio of 
Estimated 
Market Value 
to Book Value

 

Up 300 basis points

 

 

$

801,690

 

 

 

9.8

%

 

 

24.9

%

 

 

160.1

%

 

Up 200 basis points

 

 

$

780,045

 

 

 

6.9

%

 

 

24.2

%

 

 

155.8

%

 

Up 100 basis points

 

 

$

756,274

 

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

23.4

%

 

 

151.0

%

 

BASE

 

 

$

729,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.6

%

 

 

145.8

%

 

Down 100 basis points

 

 

$

698,603

 

 

 

(4.3

)%

 

 

21.7

%

 

 

139.5

%

 

Down 200 basis points

 

 

$

655,443

 

 

 

(10.2

)%

 

 

20.3

%

 

 

130.9

%

 

Down 300 basis points

 

 

$

600,928

 

 

 

(17.7

)%

 

 

18.6

%

 

 

120.0

%

 

 

Gap analysis.   As part of the interest rate risk management process we use a gap analysis. A gap analysis provides information about the volume and repricing characteristics and relationship between the amounts of interest-sensitive assets and interest-bearing liabilities at a particular point in time. An effective interest rate strategy attempts to match the volume of interest sensitive assets and interest bearing liabilities repricing over different time intervals. The main focus of this interest rate management tool is the gap sensitivity identified as the cumulative one year gap.

58




Interest Rate Sensitivity
December 31, 2006
Amounts Maturing or Repricing In

 

 

3 Months
Or Less

 

Over 3 
Months to 
12 Months

 

Over 1 
Year to 
5 Years

 

Over 
5 Years

 

Not Interest
Rate
Sensitive

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

501

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

128,910

 

$

129,411

 

Federal funds sold

 

22,000

 

 

 

 

 

22,000

 

Investment securities

 

38,001

 

47,729

 

19,596

 

14,802

 

 

120,128

 

Loans

 

2,109,619

 

310,174

 

1,114,184

 

828,885

 

 

4,362,862

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

918,922

 

918,922

 

Total assets

 

$

2,170,121

 

$

357,903

 

$

1,133,780

 

$

843,687

 

$

1,047,832

 

$

5,553,323

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,571,361

 

$

1,571,361

 

Interest-bearing demand, money market and savings deposits

 

1,526,832

 

 

 

 

 

1,526,832

 

Time deposits

 

277,201

 

272,919

 

37,420

 

 

 

 

587,540

 

Borrowings

 

234,000

 

20,000

 

245,000

 

 

 

499,000

 

Subordinated debentures

 

106,189

 

 

20,619

 

18,558

 

3,853

 

149,219

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

51,043

 

51,043

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

1,168,328

 

1,168,328

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,144,222

 

$

292,919

 

$

303,039

 

$

18,558

 

$

2,794,585

 

$

5,553,323

 

Period gap

 

$

25,899

 

$

64,984

 

$

830,741

 

$

825,129

 

$

(1,746,753

)

 

 

Cumulative interest earning assets

 

2,170,121

 

2,528,024

 

3,661,804

 

4,505,491

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative interest bearing liabilities

 

2,144,222

 

2,437,141

 

2,740,180

 

2,758,738

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative Gap

 

25,899

 

90,883

 

921,624

 

1,746,753

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative interest earning assets to cumulative interest bearing liabilities

 

101.2

%

103.7

%

133.6

%

163.3

%

 

 

 

 

Cumulative gap as a percent of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

0.5

%

1.6

%

16.6

%

31.5

%

 

 

 

 

Interest earning assets

 

0.6

%

2.0

%

20.5

%

38.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

Note: All amounts are reported at their contractual maturity or repricing periods. This analysis makes certain assumptions as to interest rate sensitivity of savings and NOW accounts which have no stated maturity and have had very little price fluctuation in the past three years. Money market accounts are repriced at management’s discretion and generally are more rate sensitive.

The preceding table indicates that we had a positive one year cumulative gap of $90.9 million, or 1.6% total assets, at December 31, 2006. This gap position suggests that we are asset-sensitive and if rates were to increase, our net interest margin would most likely increase because more assets would reprice than liabilities. Conversely, if rates were to fall during this period, interest income would decline by a greater amount than interest expense and net interest income would likely decrease. The ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within one year at December 31, 2005 is 103.7%. This one year gap position indicates that interest income is likely to be affected to a greater extent than interest expense for any changes in interest rates within one year from December 31, 2006.

59




The gap table has inherent limitations and actual results may vary significantly from the results suggested by the gap table. The gap table is unable to incorporate certain balance sheet characteristics or factors. The gap table assumes a static balance sheet, as does the net interest income simulation and, accordingly, looks at the repricing of existing assets and liabilities without consideration of new loans and deposits that reflect a more current interest rate environment. Unlike the net interest income simulation, however, the interest rate risk profile of certain deposit products and floating rate loans that have reached their floors cannot be captured effectively in a gap table. Although the table shows the amount of certain assets and liabilities scheduled to reprice in a given time frame, it does not reflect when or to what extent such repricings may actually occur. For example, interest-bearing demand, money market and savings deposits are shown to reprice in the first 3 months, but we may choose to reprice these deposits more slowly and incorporate only a portion of the movement in market rates based on market conditions at that time. Alternatively, a loan which has reached its floor may not reprice even though market interest rates change causing such loan to act like a fixed rate loan regardless of its scheduled repricing date. For example, a loan already at its floor would not reprice if the adjusted rate was less than its floor. The gap table as presented cannot factor in the flexibility we believe we have in repricing either deposits or the floors on our loans.

We believe the estimated effect of a change in interest rates is better reflected in our net interest income and market value of equity simulations which incorporate many of the factors mentioned.

60




ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

62

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

63

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

65

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005

 

66

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

67

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

68

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

69

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

70

 

 

61




MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of First Community Bancorp, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management maintains a comprehensive system of controls intended to ensure that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, assets are safeguarded, and financial records are reliable. Management also takes steps to see that information and communication flows are effective and to monitor performance, including performance of internal control procedures.

As of December 31, 2006, First Community Bancorp management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is effective.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements should they occur. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the control procedures may deteriorate.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have issued a report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. The report, which expresses unqualified opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is included in this Item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”

/s/ MATTHEW P. WAGNER

 

 

/s/ VICTOR R. SANTORO

Matthew P. Wagner

 

Victor R. Santoro

Chief Executive Officer

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 

February 27, 2007

62




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors
First Community Bancorp:

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting, that First Community Bancorp maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). First Community Bancorp’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that First Community Bancorp maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, First Community Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

63




We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of First Community Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, and our report dated February 27, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Los Angeles, California
February 27, 2007

64




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors
First Community Bancorp:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Community Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Community Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of First Community Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 27, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Los Angeles, California
February 27, 2007

65




FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks (note 17)

 

$

128,910

 

$

100,662

 

Federal funds sold

 

22,000

 

4,600

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

150,910

 

105,262

 

Interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions

 

501

 

90

 

Investments (notes 4 and 8):

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

 

28,747

 

26,753

 

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

 

91,381

 

212,601

 

Total investments

 

120,128

 

239,354

 

Loans, net of unearned income (notes 5 and 8)

 

4,189,543

 

2,467,828

 

Less allowance for loan losses (note 5)

 

(52,908

)

(27,303

)

Net loans

 

4,136,635

 

2,440,525

 

Loans, held for sale (note 5)

 

173,319

 

 

Premises and equipment, net (note 6)

 

37,102

 

19,063

 

Accrued interest

 

21,388

 

12,006

 

Goodwill (notes 2 and 3)

 

738,083

 

295,890

 

Core deposit and customer relationship intangibles (note 3)

 

50,427

 

27,298

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance

 

67,512

 

56,207

 

Other assets (note 13)

 

57,318

 

30,716

 

Total assets

 

$

5,553,323

 

$

3,226,411

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits (note 7):

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

$

1,571,361

 

$

1,179,808

 

Interest-bearing

 

2,114,372

 

1,225,553

 

Total deposits

 

3,685,733

 

2,405,361

 

Interest payable and other liabilities (notes 5, 9 and 13)

 

51,043

 

38,318

 

Borrowings (note 8)

 

499,000

 

160,300

 

Subordinated debentures (note 8)

 

149,219

 

121,654

 

Total liabilities

 

4,384,995

 

2,725,633

 

Shareholders’ equity (notes 16, 18, 19 and 20):

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 29,635,957 (includes 750,014 shares of unvested restricted stock) and 18,346,566 (includes 405,831 shares of unvested restricted stock) shares as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

 

1,020,132

 

400,868

 

Retained earnings

 

148,367

 

102,325

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss—net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net (notes 4 and 15)

 

(171

)

(2,415

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,168,328

 

500,778

 

Commitments and contingencies (notes 10 and 12)

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

5,553,323

 

$

3,226,411

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

66




FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

     2006     

 

     2005     

 

     2004     

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except
per share amounts)

 

Interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

 

 

$

292,069

 

 

 

$

174,202

 

 

 

$

130,175

 

 

Interest on federal funds sold

 

 

297

 

 

 

1,245

 

 

 

354

 

 

Interest on time deposits in financial institutions

 

 

31

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

34

 

 

Interest on investment securities

 

 

9,200

 

 

 

7,900

 

 

 

9,584

 

 

Total interest income

 

 

301,597

 

 

 

183,352

 

 

 

140,147

 

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits (note 7)

 

 

33,219

 

 

 

11,087

 

 

 

7,124

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

15,168

 

 

 

3,350

 

 

 

1,144

 

 

Subordinated debentures

 

 

11,253

 

 

 

8,480

 

 

 

6,149

 

 

Total interest expense

 

 

59,640

 

 

 

22,917

 

 

 

14,417

 

 

Net interest income before provision for credit losses

 

 

241,957

 

 

 

160,435

 

 

 

125,730

 

 

Provision for credit losses (note 5)

 

 

9,600

 

 

 

1,420

 

 

 

465

 

 

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

 

 

232,357

 

 

 

159,015

 

 

 

125,265

 

 

Noninterest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

 

8,835

 

 

 

6,367

 

 

 

8,298

 

 

Other commissions and fees

 

 

6,420

 

 

 

4,180

 

 

 

3,997

 

 

Gain on sale of loans, net

 

 

 

 

 

596

 

 

 

1,804

 

 

Loss on sale of securities, net (note 4)

 

 

(2,332

)

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(6

)

 

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance

 

 

2,205

 

 

 

1,628

 

 

 

1,898

 

 

Other

 

 

1,338

 

 

 

1,052

 

 

 

1,230

 

 

Total noninterest income

 

 

16,466

 

 

 

13,778

 

 

 

17,221

 

 

Noninterest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

 

65,505

 

 

 

48,623

 

 

 

45,220

 

 

Occupancy

 

 

15,296

 

 

 

10,733

 

 

 

10,458

 

 

Furniture and equipment

 

 

4,034

 

 

 

2,730

 

 

 

2,923

 

 

Data processing

 

 

6,317

 

 

 

4,869

 

 

 

4,783

 

 

Other professional services

 

 

5,072

 

 

 

4,548

 

 

 

4,126

 

 

Business development

 

 

1,591

 

 

 

1,188

 

 

 

1,251

 

 

Communications

 

 

3,103

 

 

 

1,993

 

 

 

2,009

 

 

Insurance and assessments

 

 

2,121

 

 

 

1,715

 

 

 

1,647

 

 

Intangible asset amortization (note 3)

 

 

6,688

 

 

 

3,607

 

 

 

3,253

 

 

Reorganization charges (note 9)

 

 

1,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (note 10)

 

 

9,906

 

 

 

7,296

 

 

 

6,157

 

 

Total noninterest expense

 

 

121,455

 

 

 

87,302

 

 

 

81,827

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

127,368

 

 

 

85,491

 

 

 

60,659

 

 

Income taxes (note 13)

 

 

51,512

 

 

 

35,125

 

 

 

24,296

 

 

Net earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

75,856

 

 

 

50,366

 

 

 

36,363

 

 

Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2005) of changing the method of accounting for stock-based compensation forfeitures

 

 

142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

$

75,998

 

 

 

$

50,366

 

 

 

$

36,363

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings before accounting change

 

 

$

3.23

 

 

 

$

3.05

 

 

 

$

2.34

 

 

Accounting change(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

$

3.23

 

 

 

$

3.05

 

 

 

$

2.34

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings before accounting change

 

 

$

3.21

 

 

 

$

2.98

 

 

 

$

2.27

 

 

Accounting change(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

$

3.21

 

 

 

$

2.98

 

 

 

$

2.27

 

 


(1)              Less than $0.01 per share for the year ended December 31, 2006

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

67




FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income
for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

Common Stock

 

Retained

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

 

 

Comprehensive
Income

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Earnings

 

Income (Loss)

 

Total

 

(note 15)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Balance at January 1, 2004

 

15,893,141

 

$

294,525

 

 

$

44,706

 

 

 

$

(1,668

)

 

$

337,563

 

 

$

28,937

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

36,363

 

 

 

 

 

36,363

 

 

$

36,363

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

235,971

 

3,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,456

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits from exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock

 

 

1,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,936

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock awarded

 

138,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned stock award compensation

 

 

7,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,518

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid ($0.8475 per share)

 

 

 

 

(13,158

)

 

 

 

 

(13,158

)

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income-net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax effect of $143 thousand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

198

 

 

198

 

 

198

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

16,267,862

 

$

307,435

 

 

$

67,911

 

 

 

$

(1,470

)

 

$

373,876

 

 

$

36,561

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

50,366

 

 

 

 

 

$

50,366

 

 

$

50,366

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

256,045

 

3,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,748

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits from exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock

 

 

1,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,710

 

 

 

 

Sale of common stock (note 2)

 

1,044,680

 

49,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,022

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock (note 2)

 

783,625

 

36,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,627

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock awarded and earned stock compensation, net of shares forfeited

 

40,195

 

4,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,038

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock surrendered

 

(45,841

)

(1,712

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,712

)

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid ($0.97 per share)

 

 

 

 

(15,952

)

 

 

 

 

(15,952

)

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income-net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net of tax effect of $684 thousand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(945

)

 

(945

)

 

(945

)

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

18,346,566

 

$

400,868

 

 

$

102,325

 

 

 

$

(2,415

)

 

$

500,778

 

 

$

49,421

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

75,998

 

 

 

 

 

75,998

 

 

$

75,998

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

408,420

 

8,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,634

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits from exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock

 

 

6,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,585

 

 

 

 

Sale of common stock (note 2)

 

1,891,086

 

109,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

109,456

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock (note 2)

 

8,624,773

 

494,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

494,765

 

 

 

 

Repurchased and retired shares (note 2)

 

(100,000

)

(5,326

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,326

)

 

 

 

Restricted stock awarded and earned stock compensation, net of shares forfeited

 

503,713

 

7,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,369

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock surrendered

 

(38,601

)

(2,219

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,219

)

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid ($1.21 per share)

 

 

 

 

(29,956

)

 

 

 

 

(29,956

)

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income-decrease in net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net of tax effect of $1.6 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,244

 

 

2,244

 

 

2,244

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

29,635,957

 

$

1,020,132

 

 

$

148,367

 

 

 

$

(171

)

 

$

1,168,328

 

 

$

78,242

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

68




FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,505

 

8,702

 

9,322

 

Provision for credit losses

 

9,600

 

1,420

 

465

 

Gain on sale of loans

 

 

(596

)

(1,804

)

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

 

(59

)

 

 

Loss on sale of securities

 

2,332

 

45

 

6

 

Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale

 

8,921

 

 

 

Origination of loans held for sale

 

(10,368

)

 

 

Principal collected on loans held for sale

 

2,820

 

 

 

Restricted stock amortization

 

7,369

 

4,038

 

7,518

 

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises and restricted and performance stock vesting

 

(6,585

)

(1,710

)

(1,936

)

Decrease in accrued and deferred income taxes, net

 

5,000

 

8,964

 

13,701

 

Decrease (increase) in other assets

 

12,624

 

7,440

 

(2,494

)

Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

 

(23,752

)

(8,052

)

(12,955

)

Dividends on FHLB stock

 

(985

)

(421

)

(304

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

94,420

 

70,196

 

47,882

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash and cash equivalents (paid) acquired in acquisitions

 

(218

)

92,308

 

(37,347

)

Net increase in net loans outstanding

 

(265,611

)

(133,825

)

(328,463

)

Proceeds from sale of loans

 

4,859

 

9,411

 

14,978

 

Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions

 

2,503

 

612

 

3,077

 

Proceeds from sales of acquired securities

 

32,050

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale

 

100,498

 

 

64,662

 

Maturities

 

75,424

 

66,927

 

107,848

 

Purchases

 

(2,058

)

(37,550

)

(2,721

)

Net sales (purchases) of FRB and FHLB stock

 

12,268

 

277

 

(8,153

)

Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned

 

37

 

50

 

 

Purchases of premises and equipment

 

(7,235

)

(2,992

)

(2,724

)

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

 

140

 

95

 

46

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(47,343

)

(4,687

)

(188,797

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

(133,971

)

102,534

 

66,599

 

Interest-bearing

 

(239,517

)

(489,178

)

259,339

 

(Payments for) proceeds from redemptions/issuance of subordinated debentures

 

(20,620

)

 

61,856

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of repurchases

 

104,130

 

49,022

 

 

Net proceeds from exercise and vesting of stock awards

 

6,415

 

2,036

 

3,456

 

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises and restricted and performance stock vesting

 

6,585

 

1,710

 

1,936

 

Net increase in borrowings

 

305,505

 

70,300

 

(24,400

)

Cash dividends paid

 

(29,956

)

(15,952

)

(13,158

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,429

)

(279,528

)

355,628

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

45,648

 

(214,019

)

214,713

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

105,262

 

319,281

 

104,568

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

150,910

 

$

105,262

 

$

319,281

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

54,908

 

$

21,610

 

$

14,308

 

Income taxes

 

46,921

 

32,177

 

17,113

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer of loans to other real estate owned

 

 

43

 

 

Transfer from loans to loans held-for-sale

 

46,578

 

8,848

 

13,174

 

Common stock issued for acquisitions

 

494,765

 

36,627

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

69




FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

We are a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Our principal business is to serve as a holding company for our banking subsidiary. As of December 31, 2006, our sole banking subsidiary is Pacific Western Bank, which we refer to as Pacific Western or the Bank. As of December 31, 2005, our banking subsidiaries were Pacific Western National Bank which we also refer to as Pacific Western, and First National Bank, which we refer to as First National. As part of our announced plan of consolidation and conversion, Pacific Western National Bank, filed an application with the California Department of Financial Institutions, or DFI, to convert from a national banking charter to a state-chartered bank under the name of Pacific Western Bank. This application was approved and the conversion of Pacific Western to a state chartered bank occurred on September 13, 2006. Pacific Western also filed a notice with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to withdraw from membership in the Federal Reserve System and become a “nonmember” bank at the time of its conversion. Additionally, on October 26, 2006, following the completion of the acquisition of Community Bancorp Inc. and the subsequent merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, with and into First National, we completed our plan of consolidation by merging First National with and into Pacific Western, with Pacific Western as the surviving entity in an “as if” pooling transaction. All references to Pacific Western, or the Bank, prior to September 13, 2006 refer to Pacific Western National Bank, and references on or after September 13, 2006 refer to Pacific Western Bank.

On January 4, 2006, we acquired Cedars Bank, or Cedars, which was merged with and into Pacific Western. On May 9, 2006, we acquired Foothill Independent Bancorp, or Foothill, which was merged with and into the First Community Bancorp and Foothill’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Foothill Independent Bank, was merged with and into Pacific Western. When we say “we”, “our” or the “Company”, we mean the Company on a consolidated basis with Pacific Western. When we refer to “First Community” or to the holding company, we are referring to the parent company on a standalone basis. Discussions about the Company and the Bank as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 include Cedars, Foothill and Community Bancorp from and after their respective dates of acquisition.

Pacific Western is a full-service community bank offering a broad range of banking products and services. We accept time and demand deposits, fund loans including real estate, construction, SBA and commercial loans, and offer other business oriented banking products. Our operations are primarily located in Southern California and the Bank focuses on conducting business with small to medium size businesses and the owners and employees of those businesses in our marketplace. Through our asset-based lending division and SBA loan production offices we also operate in Arizona and Texas. At December 31, 2006, the Bank’s gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, totaled $4.2 billion of which approximately 20% were commercial loans, 79% were commercial real estate loans, including construction loans, and 1% were consumer and other loans. These percentages include some foreign loans, primarily to individuals or entities with business in Mexico, representing 2% of total loans.

We derive our income primarily from interest received on commercial real estate loans, commercial loans and consumer loans and, to a lesser extent, from interest received on investment securities, fees received in connection with deposit services as well as loans and other services offered, including foreign exchange services. Our major operating expenses are the interest paid by the Bank on deposits and borrowings, employee compensation and general operating expenses. The Bank relies on a foundation of locally generated deposits. The Bank has a relatively low cost of funds due to a high percentage of noninterest bearing and low cost deposits. Our operations, like those of other financial institutions

70




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

operating in Southern California, are significantly influenced by economic conditions in Southern California, including the strength of the real estate market, and the fiscal and regulatory policies of the federal and state government and the regulatory authorities that govern financial institutions. See “—Supervision and Regulation.” With our SBA loan production offices and asset-based lending division with operations in Arizona and Texas, we are also subject to the economic conditions affecting those markets.

We have completed 18 acquisitions since May 2000 including the merger whereby the former Rancho Santa Fe National Bank and First Community Bank of the Desert became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company in a pooling-of-interests transaction. Accordingly, all of our financial statements for the periods prior to this merger have been restated as if they had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. All other acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, their operating results have been included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. Please see Notes 2 and 3 for more information about our acquisitions.

(a) Basis of Presentation

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

(b) Use of Estimates

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates subject to change in the near term include, among other items, the allowance for credit losses, the carrying values of intangible assets, and the realization of deferred tax assets.

(c) Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

(d) Investment Securities and Securities Available-for-Sale

We determine the classification of securities at the time of purchase. If we have the intent and the ability at the time of purchase to hold securities until maturity, they are classified as held-to-maturity. Investment securities held-to-maturity are stated at amortized cost. Securities to be held for indefinite periods of time, but not necessarily to be held-to-maturity or on a long-term basis, are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. The carrying values of all securities are adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts over the period to maturity of the related security using the interest method. Realized gains or losses on the sale of securities, if any, are determined using the amortized cost of the specific securities sold. If a decline in the fair value of a security below its amortized cost is judged by management to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value and the amount of the write-down is included in operations. Securities available-for-sale include securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk and other related factors. Securities are individually evaluated for

71




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

appropriate classification when acquired; consequently, similar types of securities may be classified differently depending on factors existing at the time of purchase.

Investments in Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, which are carried at cost because they can only be redeemed at par, are required investments based on measurements of the Bank’s capital, assets, and/or borrowing levels.

(e) Loans and Loan Fees

Loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of any unearned discount or unamortized premium. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the respective loan and includes prepayment penalties. Loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest payments are past due 90 days or when, in the opinion of management, there is a reasonable doubt as to collectibility in the normal course of business. When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Income on nonaccrual loans is subsequently recognized only to the extent that cash is received and the loan’s principal balance is deemed collectible. Loans are restored to accrual status when the loans become both well-secured and are in the process of collection.

Nonrefundable loan fees and related direct costs associated with the origination or purchase of loans are deferred and netted against outstanding loan balances. The net deferred fees or costs are recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the interest method or taken into income when the related loans are paid off or sold. The amortization of loan fees is discontinued on nonaccrual loans.

(f) Loan Sales and Servicing Assets

Loans held for sale include loans originated or purchased for resale. Loans originated or purchased for resale include the principal amount outstanding net of unearned income, and are carried at the lower of cost or market on an aggregate basis. A decline in the aggregate market value of the loans below their aggregate carrying amount is recognized through a charge to earnings in the period of such decline. Unearned income on these loans is taken into earnings when the loan is sold.

Gains or losses resulting from sales of loans are recognized at the date of settlement and are based on the difference between the cash received and the carrying value of the related loans less related transaction costs. A transfer of financial assets in which control is surrendered is accounted for as a sale to the extent that consideration other than beneficial interests in the transferred assets is received in the exchange. Liabilities and derivative financial instruments issued or obtained through the sale of financial assets are measured at fair value, if practicable. Assets or other retained interests received through the sale are measured by allocating the previous carrying value between the asset sold and the asset or retained interest received, if any, based on their relative fair values at the date of the sale.

The most common retained interest related to our loan sales is a servicing asset. Servicing assets are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated future net servicing income. The amortization of the servicing asset and the servicing income are included in noninterest income in the consolidated statement of earnings. The fair value of the servicing assets is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market-based discount rates and prepayment speeds. The servicing assets are evaluated regularly for impairment. We stratify the servicing asset based on the original term to maturity and the year of origination of the underlying loans for purposes of measuring impairment. The risk is that loans prepay faster than anticipated and the fair value of the asset declines. If the fair value of the servicing asset is less than the amortized carrying value, the asset is considered impaired and an impairment charge will be taken against earnings. At December 31, 2006, the servicing asset totaled

72




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

$4.5 million, including $3.7 million added through the Community Bancorp acquisition, and is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

(g) Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net earnings and net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net and is presented in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income.

(h) Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments when combined are referred to as the allowance for credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is reported as a reduction of outstanding loan balances and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is included within other liabilities.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to adequately provide for known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and other extensions of credit. The allowance is based upon a continuing review of the portfolio, past loan loss experience, current economic conditions which may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay, and the underlying collateral value of the loans. Loans which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance. The provision for loan losses and recoveries on loans previously charged off are added to the allowance.

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We measure impairment of a loan based upon either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent, depending on the circumstances. If the measurement of impairment for the loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, a valuation allowance is established with a corresponding charge to the provision for credit losses.

We believe that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. In making its evaluation, we consider certain qualitative factors including our historical loan loss experience, the volume and type of lending conducted by the Company, the amounts of classified and nonperforming assets, regulatory policies, general economic conditions, underlying collateral values, and other factors regarding the collectibility of loans in our portfolio.

The Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is sensitive to the assigned credit risk ratings and inherent loss rates at any given point in time. Therefore, we perform a sensitivity analysis to provide insight regarding the impact adverse changes in risk ratings may have on our allowance for loan losses. The sensitivity analysis does not imply any expectation of future deterioration in our loans’ risk ratings and it does not necessarily reflect the nature and extent of future changes in the allowance for loan losses due to the numerous quantitative and qualitative factors considered in determining our allowance for loan losses. Given current processes employed by the Company, management believes the risk ratings and inherent loss rates currently assigned are appropriate.

We also believe that the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is adequate. In making this determination, we use the same methodology for the reserve for unfunded loan commitments as we do for the allowance for loan losses and consider the same qualitative factors, as well as an estimate of the probability of drawdown of the commitments correlated to their credit risk rating.

Our federal and state banking regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for credit losses. Our regulators may require the Company to recognize

73




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

additions to the allowance based on their judgments related to information available to them at the time of their examinations.

(i) Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is charged to noninterest expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to thirty years. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized to noninterest expense on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

(j) Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned is recorded at the fair value of the property at the time of acquisition. Fair value is based on current appraisals less estimated selling costs. The excess of the recorded loan balance over the estimated fair value of the property at the time of acquisition is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent write downs are charged to noninterest expense and recognized as a valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in the fair value of the asset less selling costs reduce the valuation allowance, but not below zero, and are credited to noninterest expense. Operating expenses of such properties and gains and losses on their disposition are included in noninterest income and expense.

(k) Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, due from banks and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods.

(l) Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

(m) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over such useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed annually for impairment.

Goodwill is our only intangible asset with an indefinite life. To accomplish the annual impairment analysis of goodwill, we identify our reporting units and determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units. We have identified one reporting unit: banking operations. We determined the fair value of our reporting unit and compared it to its carrying amount on June 30, our annual impairment analysis date. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we are required to perform a second step to the impairment test. Our annual impairment analysis indicated that there was no impairment in our goodwill.

74




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Core deposit intangible assets, which we refer to as CDI, and customer relationship intangible assets, which we refer to as CRI, are recognized apart from goodwill at the time of acquisition based on market valuations prepared by independent third parties. In preparing such valuations, the third parties consider variables such as deposit servicing costs, attrition rates, and market discount rates. CDI are amortized to expense over their useful lives, which we have estimated to range from 7 to 10 years. CRI are amortized to expense over their useful lives, which we have estimated to be 5 years. Both CDI and CRI are reviewed for impairment at least annually. If the recoverable amount of either CDI or CRI is determined to be less than its carrying value, we would then measure the amount of impairment based on an estimate of the intangible asset’s fair value at that time. If the fair value is below the carrying value, the intangible asset is reduced to such fair value and a loss is recognized by a charge to operations.

(n) Stock Incentive Plan

The Company had a stock-based compensation plan as of December 31, 2006 which is described in Note 15. We adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock options effective January 1, 2003, using the prospective method of transition specified in SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. The cost of all stock options granted on or after January 1, 2003 is based on their fair value and is included as a component of compensation expense over the vesting period for such options. For stock options granted prior to January 1, 2003, the Company applied the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Accordingly, no compensation cost was recognized for fixed stock option awards granted prior to January 1, 2003, with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.

Compensation expense related to awards of restricted and performance stock is based on the fair value of the underlying stock on the award date and is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The vesting of performance stock awards and recognition of related compensation expense may occur over a shorter vesting period if financial performance targets are achieved earlier than anticipated.

Had we determined compensation expense for our stock-based compensation plan consistent with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, our net earnings and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated in the table below.

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except
per share amounts)

 

Net earnings, as reported

 

 

$

50,366

 

 

 

$

36,363

 

 

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in net earnings, net of related tax effects

 

 

2,342

 

 

 

4,360

 

 

Deduct: All stock-based compensation expense calculated using the fair value based method for all awards, net of related taxes

 

 

(2,612

)

 

 

(4,910

)

 

Pro forma net earnings

 

 

$

50,096

 

 

 

$

35,813

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic—as reported

 

 

$

3.05

 

 

 

$

2.34

 

 

Basic—pro forma

 

 

$

3.03

 

 

 

$

2.31

 

 

Diluted—as reported

 

 

$

2.98

 

 

 

$

2.27

 

 

Diluted—pro forma

 

 

$

2.97

 

 

 

$

2.24

 

 

 

75




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(o) Business Segments

We have determined that we have one reportable business segment, banking.

(p) Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (excluding unvested restricted stock) during the year. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting net earnings and average outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents, which include stock options and restricted shares using the treasury stock method.

(q) Debt Issuance Costs

We have incurred debt issuance costs relating to each issuance of subordinated debentures except for those debentures issued as part of Trust VI. Such costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the period to the first call date, which is five years from the date of issuance, except for Trust I for which the period is ten years. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs was $284,000 and $560,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

(r) Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“SFAS 156”). This statement requires that all separately recognized servicing rights be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. For each class of separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities, this statement permits the servicing assets and liabilities to be reported at either fair value or at amortized cost. Under the fair value approach, servicing assets and liabilities will be recorded at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period in which the changes occur. Under the amortized cost method, servicing assets and liabilities are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income or net servicing loss and are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. SFAS 156 became effective for us on January 1, 2007. We do not expect that adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process including: (i) a recognition process to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position, and (ii) a measurement process whereby a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is calculated to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 became effective for us on January 1, 2007. Any cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48 will be recognized as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. We do not expect there to be any material effect on either our financial condition or results of operations from the adoption of FIN 48.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as a market-based measurement and should be determined

76




(1)   Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

based on assumptions that a market participant would use when pricing an asset or liability. The market participant’s assumptions should include assumptions about risk as well as the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset. Additionally, this statement establishes a fair value hierarchy that provides the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. This statement is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We are presently reviewing the standard to determine what effect, if any, it will have on our financial condition and results of operations.

The FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, in February 2007. This Statement permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Once a company chooses to report an item at fair value, changes in fair value would be reported in earnings at each reporting date. SFAS No. 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We are presently evaluating this Statement and have not yet decided whether we will or will not adopt it.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 108, (“SAB 108”), Financial Statements—Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. SAB 108 provides guidance on the consideration of prior year misstatements in determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. The SEC staff indicates that registrants should quantify the impact of correcting all misstatements, including both the carryover and reversing effects of prior year misstatements, on the current year financial statements. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. Registrants may either restate their financials for any material misstatements arising from the application of this SAB or recognize a cumulative effect of applying SAB 108 within the current year opening balance in retained earnings. Application of the guidance in SAB 108 had no impact on our 2006 financial statements.

77




(2)   Acquisitions

We completed the following acquisitions during the time period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2006, using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, their operating results have been included in our consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The purchase price allocations for the Community Bancorp acquisition are based on estimates and are subject to change as more information becomes available.

Acquisition

 

 

 

FC
 Financial

 

Harbor
National

 

First
American
Bank

 

Pacific Liberty
Bank

 

Cedars Bank

 

Foothill
Independent
Bancorp

 

Community
Bancorp

 

Date Acquired

 

 

 

March
2004

 

April
 2004

 

August
2005

 

October
2005

 

January
2006

 

     May      
2006

 

    October    
2006

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash
equivalents

 

 

$

3,965

 

 

$

34,338

 

 

$

121,229

 

 

 

$

30,765

 

 

 

$

34,474

 

 

 

$

60,844

 

 

 

$

24,521

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

 

 

 

 

3,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,796

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

1,019

 

 

Investment securities

 

 

 

 

993

 

 

1,607

 

 

 

990

 

 

 

3,355

 

 

 

50,406

 

 

 

11,498

 

 

Loans

 

 

72,708

 

 

132,272

 

 

106,244

 

 

 

119,245

 

 

 

355,167

 

 

 

535,975

 

 

 

598,739

 

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,114

 

 

Premises and
equipment

 

 

106

 

 

1,394

 

 

4,458

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

1,234

 

 

 

6,838

 

 

 

7,434

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

22,580

 

 

21,408

 

 

37,715

 

 

 

24,335

 

 

 

71,182

 

 

 

165,739

 

 

 

205,346

 

 

Core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets

 

 

2,518

 

 

1,293

 

 

6,529

 

 

 

1,781

 

 

 

2,992

 

 

 

17,311

 

 

 

9,514

 

 

Other assets

 

 

4,268

 

 

2,942

 

 

8,111

 

 

 

6,137

 

 

 

19,075

 

 

 

54,778

 

 

 

21,471

 

 

 

 

 

106,145

 

 

198,108

 

 

285,893

 

 

 

183,285

 

 

 

489,275

 

 

 

891,990

 

 

 

1,007,656

 

 

Liabilities assumed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing deposits

 

 

 

 

(60,752

)

 

(89,664

)

 

 

(45,894

)

 

 

(92,216

)

 

 

(265,369

)

 

 

(167,939

)

 

Interest bearing
deposits

 

 

 

 

(96,031

)

 

(127,772

)

 

 

(96,285

)

 

 

(269,189

)

 

 

(369,216

)

 

 

(489,931

)

 

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

 

 

(5,445

)

 

(5,675

)

 

(8,771

)

 

 

(4,479

)

 

 

(7,870

)

 

 

(16,697

)

 

 

(14,167

)

 

Borrowings

 

 

(60,700

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(33,195

)

 

Subordinated debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,481

)

 

 

(39,829

)

 

Total liabilities
assumed

 

 

(66,145

)

 

(162,458

)

 

(226,207

)

 

 

(146,658

)

 

 

(369,275

)

 

 

(659,763

)

 

 

(745,061

)

 

Total consideration paid by First Community

 

 

$

40,000

 

 

$

35,650

 

 

$

59,686

 

 

 

$

36,627

 

 

 

$

120,000

 

 

 

$

232,227

 

 

 

$

262,595

 

 

Deal value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for common stock and stock options by First Community

 

 

$

40,000

 

 

$

35,650

 

 

$

59,686

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

120,000

 

 

 

$

30

 

 

 

$

27

 

 

Fair value of common stock issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

232,197

 

 

 

262,568

 

 

Total consideration paid
by First Community

 

 

40,000

 

 

35,650

 

 

59,686

 

 

 

36,627

 

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

232,227

 

 

 

262,595

 

 

Cash paid for stock options by acquiree

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,623

 

 

 

4,999

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,232

 

 

 

6,089

 

 

Total deal value

 

 

$

40,000

 

 

$

35,650

 

 

$

62,309

 

 

 

$

41,626

 

 

 

$

120,000

 

 

 

$

242,459

 

 

 

$

268,684

 

 

 

 

78




(2)   Acquisitions (Continued)

First Community Financial Corporation

On March 1, 2004, we acquired First Community Financial Corporation, or FC Financial, a privately held commercial finance company based in Phoenix, Arizona. We paid $40.0 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares of common stock and options of FC Financial.

Harbor National Bank

On April 16, 2004, we acquired Harbor National Bank, or Harbor National, based in Newport Beach, California. We paid $35.7 million in cash for all the outstanding shares of common stock and options of Harbor National. At the time of the acquisition, Harbor National was merged into Pacific Western. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Orange County, California.

First American Bank

On August 12, 2005, we acquired First American Bank, or First American, based in Rosemead, California. We paid $59.7 million in cash to First American shareholders, and caused First American to pay $2.6 million in cash for all the outstanding options to purchase First American common stock. The aggregate deal value was approximately $62.3 million. At the time of the acquisition, First American was merged into Pacific Western. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Los Angeles County, California. In August and September 2005 we issued 1,044,680 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $49.0 million. We used these proceeds to augment our regulatory capital in support of the First American acquisition.

Pacific Liberty Bank

On October 7, 2005, we acquired Pacific Liberty Bank, or Pacific Liberty, based in Huntington Beach, California. We issued approximately 784,000 shares of our common stock to the Pacific Liberty shareholders and caused Pacific Liberty to pay $5.0 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase Pacific Liberty common stock. The aggregate deal value was approximately $41.6 million. At the time of the acquisition, Pacific Liberty was merged into Pacific Western. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Orange County, California.

Cedars Bank

On January 4, 2006, we acquired Cedars Bank, or Cedars, based in Los Angeles, California. We paid approximately $120.0 million in cash for all of the outstanding shares of common stock and options of Cedars. At the time of the merger, Cedars was merged into Pacific Western. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Los Angeles, California. In January 2006, we issued 1,891,086 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $109.5 million. We used these proceeds to augment our regulatory capital in support of the Cedars acquisition.

Foothill Independent Bancorp

On May 9, 2006, we acquired Foothill Independent Bancorp, or Foothill, based in Glendora, California. We issued approximately 3,947,000 shares of our common stock to the Foothill shareholders and caused Foothill to pay $10.2 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase Foothill common stock. The aggregate deal value was approximately $242.5 million. At the time of the acquisition, Foothill was merged with and into the Company and Foothill’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Foothill Independent Bank, was merged with and into Pacific Western. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties of California.

79




(2)   Acquisitions (Continued)

Community Bancorp Inc.

On October 26, 2006, we acquired Community Bancorp Inc., or Community Bancorp, based in Escondido, California. We issued 4,677,908 shares of our common stock to the Community Bancorp shareholders and caused Community Bancorp to pay $6.1 million in cash for all outstanding options to purchase Community Bancorp common stock. The aggregate deal value for financial reporting purposes was approximately $268.7 million. At the time of the acquisition, Community Bancorp was merged with and into the Company and Community National Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Bancorp, was merged with and into First National. We made this acquisition to expand our presence in the San Diego and Riverside Counties of California.

Merger-related charges

All of the acquisitions consummated after December 31, 2000 were completed using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, we recorded the estimated merger-related charges associated with each acquisition as a liability at closing when allocating the related purchase price.

For each acquisition we developed an integration plan for the consolidated Company which addressed, among other things, requirements for staffing, systems platforms, branch locations and other facilities. The established plans are evaluated regularly during the integration process and modified as required. Merger and integration expenses are summarized in the following primary categories: (i) severance and employee-related charges; (ii) system conversion and integration costs, including contract termination charges; (iii) asset write-downs, lease termination costs for abandoned space and other facilities-related costs; and (iv) other charges. Other charges include investment banking fees, legal fees, other professional fees relating to due diligence activities and shareholder expenses associated with preparation of securities filings, as appropriate. These costs were included in the allocation of the purchase price at the acquisition date based on our formal integration plans.

The following table presents the activity in the merger-related liability account for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Severance
and
Employee-
related

 

System
Conversion
and
Integration

 

Asset Write-
downs, Lease
Terminations
and Other
Facilities-related

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

 

$

598

 

 

 

$

88

 

 

 

$

2,629

 

 

$

1,054

 

$

4,369

 

Additions related to 2005 acquisitions

 

 

3,973

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

140

 

 

3,524

 

8,062

 

Reversals

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

 

(562

)

(817

)

Noncash write-downs and other

 

 

(46

)

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

 

68

 

(2

)

Cash outlays

 

 

(4,350

)

 

 

(409

)

 

 

(957

)

 

(3,394

)

(9,110

)

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

80

 

 

 

$

1,732

 

 

$

690

 

$

2,502

 

Additions related to 2006 acquisitions

 

 

6,387

 

 

 

2,567

 

 

 

2,109

 

 

6,306

 

17,369

 

Noncash write-downs and other

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Cash outlays

 

 

(6,276

)

 

 

(2,510

)

 

 

(1,323

)

 

(5,711

)

(15,820

)

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

 

$

111

 

 

 

$

135

 

 

 

$

2,518

 

 

$

1,285

 

$

4,049

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, the integration of our 2005 and 2006 acquisitions was substantially complete; no additional merger-related accruals are expected going forward related to our completed acquisitions.

80




(2)   Acquisitions (Continued)

Unaudited Pro Forma Information for Purchase Acquisitions

The following table presents our unaudited pro forma results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 as if the First American, Pacific Liberty, Cedars, Foothill and Community Bancorp acquisitions described above had been completed at the beginning of 2005. The unaudited pro forma results of operations include (1) the historical accounts of the Company, First American, Pacific Liberty, Cedars, Foothill and Community Bancorp; and (2) pro forma adjustments, as may be required, including the amortization of intangibles with definite lives and the amortization or accretion of any premiums or discounts arising from fair value adjustments for assets acquired and liabilities assumed. No assumptions have been applied in developing the pro forma information regarding possible revenue enhancements, expense efficiencies, or asset despositions. The unaudited pro forma information is intended for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of our future operating results or operating results that would have occurred had these acquisitions been completed at the beginning of 2005.

Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations

 

 

For the years ended
December 31,

 

 

 

    2006    

 

    2005    

 

 

 

(Dollar in thousands,
except for share data)

 

Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income)

 

$

316,860

 

$

303,946

 

Net earnings

 

$

87,787

 

$

78,634

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.04

 

$

2.85

 

Diluted

 

$

3.02

 

$

2.77

 

 

(3)   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets arise from purchase business combinations. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives generated from purchase business combinations are not subject to amortization and are instead tested for impairment no less than annually. We performed the initial and annual impairment tests of goodwill, which resulted in no impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment annually. The amortization expense represents the estimated decline in the value of the underlying deposits or loan customers acquired. We recorded an expense of approximately $6.7 million for 2006. The estimated aggregate amortization expense related to the intangible assets will range from $6.1 million to $8.5 million for each of the next five years and is expected to total $35.2 million over this time horizon.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$

295,890

 

$

234,360

 

Additions due to acquisitions

 

442,267

 

62,050

 

Decrease due to reduction in accrued merger liabilities

 

(74

)

(520

)

Balance as of December 31,

 

$

738,083

 

$

295,890

 

 

81




(3)   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Continued)

The goodwill recorded in 2006 and 2005 has been assigned to our one reporting segment, banking, and none of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table presents the changes in the gross amounts of core deposit and customer relationship intangibles and the related accumulated amortization for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

 

Core deposit and
customer
relationship intangibles

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Gross amount:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$

37,956

 

$

29,646

 

Additions due to acquisitions

 

29,817

 

8,310

 

Balance as of December 31,

 

67,773

 

37,956

 

Accumulated amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

(10,658

)

(7,051

)

Amortization

 

(6,688

)

(3,607

)

Balance as of December 31,

 

(17,346

)

(10,658

)

Net balance as of December 31,

 

$

50,427

 

$

27,298

 

 

(4)   Securities Available-for-Sale

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

 

2006

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

 

$

990

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

$

986

 

 

Government-sponsored entity securities

 

 

53,160

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

53,064

 

 

Municipal securities

 

 

9,421

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

9,446

 

 

Mortgage-backed and other securities

 

 

28,104

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

306

 

 

 

27,885

 

 

Total

 

 

$

91,675

 

 

 

$

229

 

 

 

$

523

 

 

 

$

91,381

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Government-sponsored entity securities

 

$

47,262

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

474

 

 

$

46,788

 

Municipal securities

 

9,001

 

 

96

 

 

 

43

 

 

9,054

 

Mortgage-backed and other securities

 

160,502

 

 

111

 

 

 

3,854

 

 

156,759

 

Total

 

$

216,765

 

 

$

207

 

 

 

$

4,371

 

 

$

212,601

 

 

The contractual maturity distribution based on amortized cost and fair value as of December 31, 2006, is shown below. Mortgage-backed securities have contractual terms to maturity, but require periodic payments to reduce principal. In addition, expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities

82




(4)   Securities Available-for-Sale (Continued)

because obligors and/or issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

 

Maturity Distribution as of
December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Due in one year or less

 

 

$

46,632

 

 

 

$

46,451

 

 

Due after one year through five years

 

 

15,738

 

 

 

15,821

 

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

7,658

 

 

 

7,724

 

 

Due after ten years

 

 

21,647

 

 

 

21,385

 

 

Total

 

 

$

91,675

 

 

 

$

91,381

 

 

 

During the fourth quarter of 2006 we sold $101.8 million of mortgage-backed securities yielding 3.52% in an effort to reduce our reliance on borrowed funds and to improve net interest income. This sale resulted in a gross loss of $2.3 million for 2006. Although we had no sales of securities during 2005, we recognized a gross loss of $45,000 related to the impairment of an interest-only investment, which originated at the time of a loan sale.

As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, securities available-for-sale with a fair value of $82.1 million and $202.7 million were pledged as security for borrowings, public deposits and other purposes as required by various statutes and agreements.

The following table presents the fair value and the unrealized loss on securities that were temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Impairment Period

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

986

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

$

986

 

 

 

$

4

 

 

Government-sponsored entity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,148

 

 

179

 

 

 

32,148

 

 

 

179

 

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,442

 

 

34

 

 

 

2,442

 

 

 

34

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,296

 

 

306

 

 

 

15,296

 

 

 

306

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

50,872

 

 

$

523

 

 

 

$

50,872

 

 

 

$

523

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Impairment Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Government-sponsored entity securities

 

 

$

36,997

 

 

 

$

270

 

 

$

9,791

 

 

$

205

 

 

$

46,788

 

 

$

474

 

 

Municipal securities

 

 

2,457

 

 

 

23

 

 

565

 

 

20

 

 

3,022

 

 

43

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

32,165

 

 

 

549

 

 

113,874

 

 

3,306

 

 

146,039

 

 

3,854

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

 

$

71,619

 

 

 

$

842

 

 

$

124,230

 

 

$

3,531

 

 

$

195,849

 

 

$

4,371

 

 

 

All individual securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer at December 31, 2006, were securities that have been issued by U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities and have a AAA credit rating as determined by various rating agencies.

83




(4)   Securities Available-for-Sale (Continued)

These securities have fluctuated in value since their purchase dates as a result of changes in market interest rates. We concluded that the continuous unrealized loss positions on these securities is a result of the level of market interest rates and not a result of the underlying issuers’ ability to repay and are, therefore, temporarily impaired. In addition, we have the ability to hold these securities until their fair value recovers to their cost. Accordingly, we have not recognized the temporary impairment in our consolidated statement of earnings.

(5)   Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, loans consisted of the following:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Commercial

 

$

836,176

 

$

734,323

 

Real estate, construction

 

939,463

 

570,080

 

Real estate, mortgage

 

2,380,696

 

1,125,230

 

Consumer

 

46,076

 

47,341

 

Gross loans

 

4,202,411

 

2,476,974

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned income

 

(12,868

)

(9,146

)

Allowance for loan losses

 

(52,908

)

(27,303

)

Total loans

 

$

4,136,635

 

$

2,440,525

 

Loans held for sale

    

$

173,319

    

$

 

 

The Company funds commercial, real estate and consumer loans to customers in the regions the Bank serves in Southern California, and to a lesser extent foreign credits related to Mexico. We acquired foreign loans through the First National Bank acquisition in 2002 and have recently decided to allow these loans to repay in the ordinary course of business without making any new privately-insured foreign loans other than those under existing commitments. Our foreign loans are primarily to individuals and entities located in Mexico. All of our foreign loans are denominated in U.S. dollars and the majority are collateralized by assets located in the United States or guaranteed or insured by businesses located in the United States. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, foreign loan balances totaled $90.1 million and $103.3 million, respectively. Because the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio with a concentration in real estate, a substantial portion of its borrowers’ ability to repay their loans is dependent upon the strength of the real estate market and the economy in general in the Bank’s primary service areas. Should the real estate market experience an overall decline in property values or should other events occur, including, but not limited to, adverse economic conditions (which may or may not affect real property values), the ability of borrowers to make timely scheduled principal and interest payments on the Company’s loans may be adversely affected, and in turn may result in increased delinquencies and foreclosures and additional provisions for credit losses. In the event of foreclosures under such conditions, the value of the property acquired may be less than the appraised value when the loan was originated and may, in some instances, result in insufficient proceeds upon disposition to recover the Company’s investment in the foreclosed property.

Loans held for sale are mostly SBA 7a and 504 loans, are net of unearned income, and are carried at the lower of cost or market on an aggregate basis.

At December 31, 2006, approximately $1.6 billion of real estate and commercial loans are pledged to secure FHLB lines of credit. See Note 8 for more information.

84




(5)   Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses (Continued)

Nonaccrual loans totaling $22.1 million, $8.4 million and $8.9 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. There were no loans that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. Interest income of $2.0 million, $788,000 and $571,000 would have been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, if nonaccrual loans had been performing in accordance with their original terms. Interest income of $944,000, $107,000 and $163,000 was recorded prior to such loans being transferred to nonaccrual status for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

A summary of the activity in the allowance for credit losses is as follows: 

 

Allowance for
Loan Losses

 

Reserve for
Unfunded Loan 
Commitments

 

Total
Allowance
for Credit
Losses

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Balance, January 1, 2004

 

 

$

22,531

 

 

 

$

3,221

 

 

 

$

25,752

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

(521

)

 

 

986

 

 

 

465

 

 

Loans charged-off

 

 

(3,607

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,607

)

 

Recoveries on loans charged-off

 

 

2,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,078

 

 

Loans charged-off, net of recoveries

 

 

(1,529

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,529

)

 

Additions due to acquisitions

 

 

3,602

 

 

 

1,217

 

 

 

4,819

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2004

 

 

$

24,083

 

 

 

$

5,424

 

 

 

$

29,507

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

1,345

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

1,420

 

 

Loans charged-off

 

 

(3,518

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,518

)

 

Recoveries on loans charged-off

 

 

2,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,360

 

 

Loans charged-off, net of recoveries

 

 

(1,158

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,158

)

 

Additions due to acquisitions

 

 

3,033

 

 

 

169

 

 

 

3,202

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

 

$

27,303

 

 

 

$

5,668

 

 

 

$

32,971

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

7,977

 

 

 

1,623

 

 

 

9,600

 

 

Loans charged-off

 

 

(3,107

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,107

)

 

Recoveries on loans charged-off

 

 

1,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,719

 

 

Loans charged-off, net of recoveries

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,388

)

 

Additions due to acquisitions

 

 

19,016

 

 

 

980

 

 

 

19,996

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

 

$

52,908

 

 

 

$

8,271

 

 

 

$

61,179

 

 

 

We made a provision for credit losses of $9.6 million during 2006, $1.4 million during 2005 and $465,000 during 2004. The 2006 provision for credit losses was composed of an $8.0 million addition to the allowance for loan losses and a $1.6 million addition to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments and was made in response to an increase in nonaccrual loans, the credit quality of an acquired portfolio, our analysis of current market conditions related to real estate loans, and organic loan growth. The 2005 provision for credit losses was composed of a $1.3 million addition to the allowance for loan losses and $75,000 added to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. Net loans charged-off in 2006 increased by $230,000 to $1.4 million when compared to 2005.

In addition to the allowance for credit losses, we have a nonaccretable discount of $2.5 million, representing the excess of the unpaid balances over the estimated fair values of certain loans acquired in the Cedars acquisition. This amount is carried as an offset against the individual loan balances. As of the Cedars’ acquisition date, these loans had unpaid balances of $13.6 million and nonaccretable discount of $3.2 million resulting in a carrying value of $10.4 million which approximated their fair value at that time. At December 31, 2006, the unpaid balances of these loans were $8.5 million and their carrying amount was $6.0 million. The change in these balances relates to loan pay-offs.

85




(5)   Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses (Continued)

The Company measures its impaired loans by using the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent and the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate if the loan is not collateral-dependent. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, all impaired loans were collateral-dependent. The Company recognizes income from impaired loans on an accrual basis unless the loan is on nonaccrual status. Income from loans on nonaccrual status is recognized to the extent cash is received and the loan’s principal balance is deemed collectible. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, no interest income was recorded on impaired loans during the time such loans were impaired. The average balances of impaired loans were $22.5 million, $14.7 million and $7.7 million for 2006, 2005 and 2004. The following table presents a breakdown of impaired loans and any related impairment allowance as of December 31, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Recorded
Investment

 

Impairment
Allowance

 

Recorded
Investment

 

Impairment
Allowance

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Loans with impairment allowance—other collateral

 

 

$

12,555

 

 

 

$

3,087

 

 

 

$

1,485

 

 

 

$

583

 

 

Loans with impairment allowance—real estate

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

1,009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans without impairment allowance—other collateral

 

 

232

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,937

 

 

 

 

 

Total impaired loans

 

 

$

19,524

 

 

 

$

4,096

 

 

 

$

8,422

 

 

 

$

583

 

 

 

Based on the Company’s evaluation process to determine the level of the allowance for loan losses mentioned previously and the fact that a majority of the Company’s nonperforming loans are secured, management believes the allowance level to be adequate as of December 31, 2006 to absorb the estimated known and inherent risks identified through its analysis.

(6)   Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Land

 

$

7,892

 

$

3,950

 

Buildings

 

9,596

 

4,866

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

16,316

 

10,501

 

Leasehold improvements

 

16,107

 

9,025

 

Vehicles and in process

 

1,413

 

1,091

 

Premises and equipment

 

51,324

 

29,433

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

14,222

 

10,370

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

$

37,102

 

$

19,063

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $3.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. Our leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives, or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Our furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 years to 10 years. Land is not depreciated and buildings are depreciated over periods up to 35 years.

86




(7)   Deposits

Interest-bearing deposits as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are comprised of the following:

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-bearing checking deposits

 

$

295,364

 

$

184,293

 

Money market deposits

 

1,090,648

 

666,383

 

Savings deposits

 

140,820

 

104,559

 

Time deposits under $100,000

 

235,176

 

107,655

 

Time deposits of $100,000 or more

 

352,364

 

162,663

 

Total

 

$

2,114,372

 

$

1,225,553

 

 

The following summarizes the maturity of time deposits as of December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

2007

 

$

550,119

 

2008

 

10,385

 

2009

 

2,087

 

2010

 

22,970

 

2011

 

1,979

 

Total

 

$

587,540

 

 

Brokered deposits included in time deposits totaled $55.0 million at December 31, 2006 and will fully mature by April 2007.

Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 is comprised of the following:

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Interest-bearing checking deposits

 

$

423

 

$

116

 

$

114

 

Money market deposits

 

17,753

 

6,494

 

3,716

 

Savings deposits

 

222

 

179

 

102

 

Time deposits under $100,000

 

5,073

 

1,621

 

1,055

 

Time deposits of $100,000 or more

 

9,748

 

2,677

 

2,137

 

Total

 

$

33,219

 

$

11,087

 

$

7,124

 

 

(8)   Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures

Borrowings

The Bank and the holding Company have established secured and unsecured lines of credit. We may borrow funds from time to time on a term or overnight basis from the Federal Home Loan Bank or other financial institutions.

Federal Funds Arrangements with Commercial Banks.   As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, we had unsecured lines of credit with correspondent banks in the amounts of $60.0 million, $120.0 million and $110.0 million. These lines are renewable annually. As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, there were no balances outstanding and the average balances outstanding for each of these years were $65,000,

87




(8)   Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures (Continued)

$214,000 and $96,000. The highest balance at any month-end was zero in 2006, $26.0 million in 2005 and zero in 2004. The average rate paid was 5.57%, 4.06% and 2.07% during 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Federal Home Loan Bank Lines of Credit.   As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, we had Federal Home Loan Bank, or FHLB, collateralized borrowing limits of approximately $753.8 million, $665.2 million and $615.1 million, of which $499.0 million, $160.3 million and $85.0 million was outstanding at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. The borrowing arrangements with the FHLB are collateralized by the majority of our securities available-for-sale and by a blanket lien covering a large portion of our real estate secured loans. The average balance outstanding for short-term advances, defined as overnight borrowings plus term advances having a maturity of less than one year as of year end, was $242.8 million in 2006, $76.0 million in 2005, and $49.2 million in 2004. The average rate paid was 4.97% in 2006, 2.95% in 2005, and 1.75% in 2004. As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the interest rates for short-term advances were 5.34%, 3.69%, and 2.84%. The highest balance of short-term advances at any month-end during 2006 was $468.4 million, $130.8 million in 2005, and $137.5 million in 2004. The average balance outstanding for long-term advances was $60.1 million for 2006, $28.8 million for 2005 and $2.8 million for 2004. The average rate paid was 4.82% in 2006, 3.34% in 2005 and 3.12% in 2004. As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the weighted average interest rates for long-term advances were 4.85%, 4.78% and 3.12%. The highest balance of long-term advances at any month-end was $245.0 million for 2006, $45.0 million for 2005, and $40.0 million for 2004.

The following table summarizes our term advances outstanding at December 31, 2006:

Amount

 

Rate

 

Maturity Date

 

Collateral

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

20,000

 

5.30

%

 

5/9/2007

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

100,000

 

4.87

%

 

11/21/2008

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

45,000

 

4.78

%

 

12/8/2008

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

100,000

 

4.85

%

 

12/18/2008

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

$265,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bank entered into two $100 million fixed rate term advances with the FHLB during the fourth quarter of 2006.  These advances have a two year stated maturity with an option for the advances to be called by the FHLB on their one year anniversary dates.  If market interest rates are higher than the advances’ stated rates at that time, the advances will be called and the Bank will be required to repay the FHLB.  If market interest rates are lower at their one year anniversary date, then the advances will not be called.  We may repay the advances with a prepayment penalty at any time.

Revolving Lines of Credit   The Company has a revolving credit line with U.S. Bank, N.A. as the lead bank for $70.0 million. The line matures on August 2, 2007 and is secured by a pledge of all of the outstanding capital stock of Pacific Western. The credit agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial and capital ratios, among other covenants and conditions. Such covenants include minimum net worth ratios, maximum debt ratios, a minimum return on average assets, minimum and maximum credit quality ratios, and dividend payment limitations. As of December 31, 2006, we, and where applicable, Pacific Western, were in compliance with all covenants covering the agreement. The highest balance outstanding under the line at any month-end during 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $4.0 million, $6.5 million and $9.0 million. The average outstanding amount during 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $176,000, $532,000 and $4.3 million. We pay a quarterly fee of 25 basis points on the unused amounts. There were no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005. We had $5.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2004 at an interest rate of 3.64%.

88




(8)   Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures (Continued)

Subordinated Debentures

The Company had an aggregate of $149.2 million subordinated debentures outstanding at December 31, 2006 and $121.7 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004. The subordinated debentures were issued in nine separate series. Each issuance has a maturity of thirty years from its date of issue. The subordinated debentures were issued to trusts established by us or entities we have acquired, which in turn issued trust preferred securities, which total $141.0 million at December 31, 2006. These trust preferred securities are presently considered Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes. With the exception of Trust I and Trust CI, the subordinated debentures are callable at par, only by the issuer, five years from the date of issuance, subject to certain exceptions. We are permitted to call the debentures in the first five years if the prepayment election relates to one of the following three events: (i) a change in the tax treatment of the debentures stemming from a change in the IRS laws; (ii) a change in the regulatory treatment of the underlying trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital; and (iii) a requirement to register the underlying trust as a registered investment company. However, redemption in the first five years is subject to a prepayment penalty. Trust I and Trust CI may not be called for 10 years from the date of issuance unless one of the three events described above has occurred and then a prepayment penalty applies. In addition, there is a prepayment penalty if either of these debentures is called 10 to 20 years from the date of their issuance and they may be called at par after 20 years. The proceeds of the subordinated debentures were used primarily to fund several of our acquisitions and to augment regulatory capital.

In December, we retired $20.6 million of our subordinated debentures.

The following table summarizes the terms of each issuance of the subordinated debentures outstanding December 31, 2006:

Series

 

 

 

Date issued

 

Amount

 

Maturity

 

Earliest
Call Date by
Company
without
Penalty(1)

 

Fixed or
Variable
Rate

 

Rate Index

 

Current
Rate(2)

 

Next Reset
Date

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Trust CI(4)

 

 

3/23/2000

 

 

$

10,310

 

3/8/2030

 

 

3/8/2020

 

 

Fixed

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

11.00

%

 

 

N/A

 

 

Trust I

 

 

9/7/2000

 

 

8,248

 

9/7/2030

 

 

9/7/2020

 

 

Fixed

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

10.60

%

 

 

N/A

 

 

Trust IV

 

 

6/26/2002

 

 

10,310

 

6/26/2032

 

 

6/26/2007

 

 

Variable

 

 

3-month LIBOR + 3.5

5

 

 

8.92

%

 

 

3/23/2007

 

 

Trust F(3)

 

 

12/19/2002

 

 

8,248

 

12/26/2032

 

 

12/19/2007

 

 

Variable

 

 

3-month LIBOR + 3.2

5

 

 

8.62

%

 

 

3/23/2007

 

 

Trust V

 

 

8/15/2003

 

 

10,310

 

9/17/2033

 

 

9/17/2008

 

 

Variable

 

 

3-month LIBOR + 3.1

0

 

 

8.46

%

 

 

3/16/2007

 

 

Trust VI

 

 

9/3/2003

 

 

10,310

 

9/15/2033

 

 

9/15/2008

 

 

Variable

 

 

3-month LIBOR + 3.0

5

 

 

8.41

%

 

 

3/13/2007

 

 

Trust CII(4)

 

 

9/17/2003

 

 

5,155

 

9/17/2033

 

 

9/17/2009

 

 

Variable

 

 

3-month LIBOR + 2.9

5

 

 

8.31

%

 

 

3/16/2007

 

 

Trust VII

 

 

2/5/2004

 

 

61,856

 

4/23/2034

 

 

4/23/2009

 

 

Variable

 

 

3-month LIBOR + 2.7

5

 

 

8.13

%

 

 

4/26/2007

 

 

Trust CIII(4)

 

 

8/15/2005

 

 

20,619

 

9/15/2035

 

 

9/15/2010

 

 

Fixed

(5)

 

N/A

 

 

 

5.85

%

 

 

9/15/2010

 

 

Unamortized discount(6)

 

 

 

 

 

3,853

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

$

149,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)             As described above, certain issuances may be called earlier without penalty upon the occurrence of certain events.

(2)             As of January 26, 2007; excludes debt issuance costs.

(3)             Acquired in the Foothill acquisition.

(4)             Acquired in the Community Bancorp acquisition.

(5)             Interest rate is fixed until 9/15/2010 and then is variable at a rate of 3-month LIBOR + 1.69%.

(6)             This amount represents the fair value adjustment to the four trusts that we acquired during 2006.

(9)   Reorganization Charges

The reorganization costs of $1.8 million represent an accrual for severance costs associated with the Community Bancorp acquisition, the consolidation of branch offices, and other costs associated with

89




(9)   Reorganization Charges (Continued)

Pacific Western’s charter-conversion and the merger of First National with Pacific Western. At December 31, 2006, the remaining liability for these accrued reorganization costs totaled $788,000 and related mostly to future rent for vacant facilities and signage replacement. During the first half of 2007, we expect to consolidate several branch locations and recognize a consolidation charge of approximately $1.0 million when we cease to use the duplicate facilities.

(10)   Commitments and Contingencies

The Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in those particular classes of financial instruments.

Commitments to extend credit amounting to $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion were outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. Of the $1.2 billion at December 31, 2006, approximately $114.9 million were fixed rate commitments and $1.1 billion were variable rate commitments. Additionally, $19.0 million of the $1.2 billion is related to foreign loan commitments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees amounting to $67.9 million and $62.1 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support private borrowing arrangements. Most guarantees will expire within one year. The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

The Company has investments in low income housing project partnerships which provide the Company income tax credits and in several small business investment companies. The investments call for capital contributions up to an amount specified in the partnership agreements. As of December 31, 2006 the Company had commitments to contribute capital to these entities totaling $1.4 million.

Legal Matters

On June 8, 2004, the Company was served with an amended complaint naming First Community and Pacific Western as defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court pending as Gilbert et. al v. Cohn et al, Case No. BC310846 (the “Gilbert Litigation”). A former officer of First Charter Bank, N.A. (“First Charter”), which the Company acquired in October 2001, was also named as a defendant. That former officer left First Charter in May of 1997 and later became a principal of Four Star Financial Services, LLC (“Four Star”), an affiliate of 900 Capital Services, Inc. (“900 Capital”).

On April 18, 2005, the plaintiffs filed the second amended class action complaint. The second amended complaint alleged that the former officer of First Charter improperly induced several First Charter customers to invest in 900 Capital or affiliates of 900 Capital and further alleges that Four Star, 900 Capital and some of their affiliated entities perpetuated their fraud upon investors through various accounts at First Charter, First Community and Pacific Western with those banks’ purported knowing

90




(10)   Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

participation in and/or willful ignorance of the scheme. The key allegations in the second amended complaint dated back to the mid-1990s and the second amended complaint alleged several counts for relief including aiding and abetting, conspiracy, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, relief pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code, negligence and relief under the California Securities Act stemming from an alleged fraudulent scheme and sale of securities issued by 900 Capital and Four Star. In disclosures provided to the parties, plaintiffs have asserted that the named plaintiffs have suffered losses well in excess of $3.85 million, and plaintiffs have asserted that “losses to the class total many tens of millions of dollars.” On June 15, 2005, we filed a demurrer to the second amended complaint, and on August 22, 2005, the Court sustained our demurrer as to each of the counts therein, granting plaintiffs leave to amend on four of the six counts, and dismissing the other counts outright.

On August 12, 2005, the Company was notified by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company (“Progressive”), its primary insurance carrier with respect to the Gilbert Litigation that Progressive had determined that, based upon the allegations in the second amended complaint filed in the Gilbert Litigation, there was no coverage with respect to the Gilbert Litigation under the Company’s insurance policy with Progressive. Progressive also notified the Company that it was withdrawing its agreement to fund defense costs for the Gilbert Litigation and reserving its right to seek reimbursement from the Company for any defense costs advanced pursuant to the insurance policy. Through December 31, 2005, Progressive had advanced to the Company approximately $690,000 of defense costs with respect to the Gilbert Litigation.

On August 12, 2005, Progressive filed an action in federal district court for declaratory relief, currently pending as Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, etc., v. First Community Bancorp, etc., et al., Case No. 05-5900 SVW (MAWx) (the “Progressive Litigation”), seeking a declaratory judgment with respect to the parties’ rights and obligations under Progressive’s policy with the Company. On October 11, 2005, the Company filed in federal court a motion to dismiss or stay the Progressive Litigation.

In November 2005, along with certain other defendants, we reached an agreement in principle with respect to the Gilbert Litigation. That agreement is reflected in a written Stipulation of Settlement dated February 9, 2007, which has been executed by all the parties to that settlement. The settlement is subject to approval by the Los Angeles Superior Court and a certain level of participation in the settlement by class members. Assuming all conditions to final consummation of the settlement are met, First Community’s contribution to the settlement will be $775,000, which was accrued in 2005.

While we believe that this settlement, if finalized, will end our exposure to the underlying claims by participating class members, we cannot be certain that all conditions to the settlement will be satisfied or that we will not be subject to further claims by parties related to the same claims who did not participate in the settlement.

In connection with the Gilbert Litigation settlement, we also reached a settlement with Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. in the Progressive Litigation. The settlement with Progressive, which includes an additional contribution by Progressive under First Community’s policy toward the settlement of the Gilbert Litigation and a dismissal by Progressive of any claims against First Community for reimbursement, is contingent upon the consummation of the Gilbert Litigation settlement.

In the ordinary course of our business, we are party to various other legal actions, which we believe are incidental to the operation of our business. Although the ultimate outcome and amount of liability, if any, with respect to these other legal actions to which we are currently a party cannot presently be ascertained with certainty, in the opinion of management, based upon information currently available to us, any resulting liability is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

91




(11)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Estimated fair values for the Company’s financial instruments and a description of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine such amounts follow:

(a) Cash and Due from Banks and Federal Funds Sold

The carrying amount is assumed to be the fair value because of the liquidity of these instruments.

(b) Interest-bearing Deposits in Financial Institutions

The carrying amount is assumed to be the fair value given the short-term nature of these deposits.

(c) Investment Securities and Securities Available-for-Sale

Fair values are based on quoted market prices available as of the balance sheet date. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities. Fair values of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock are based on current redemption prices which are equal to the carrying amount.

(d) Loans, held for sale

Fair values are based on quoted secondary market prices available as of the balance sheet date. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for loans with similar maturity and rate characteristics.

(e) Loans

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type and further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by credit risk categories. The fair value estimates do not take into consideration the value of the loan portfolio in the event the loans have to be sold outside the parameters of normal operating activities.

The fair value of fixed rate loans and non-performing or adversely classified adjustable rate loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loans. The discount rates used for performing fixed rate loans are the Company’s current offering rates for comparable instruments with similar terms.

The fair value of performing adjustable rate loans is estimated to be carrying value. These loans reprice frequently at market rates and the credit risk is not considered to be greater than normal.

(f) Deposits

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and checking accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. No value has been separately assigned to the Company’s long-term relationships with its deposit customers, such as core deposit intangible.

(g) Borrowings

The fair value of adjustable rate borrowings is estimated to be the carrying amount because rates paid are the same as rates currently offered for borrowings with similar remaining maturities and characteristics.

92




(11)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

The fair value of fixed rate borrowings is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity or call dates using estimated market discount rates that reflect current rates offered for borrowings with similar remaining maturities and characteristics.

(h) Subordinated Debentures

The fair value of the subordinated debentures is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows for fixed rate securities. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for similar securities of similar maturity. The fair value of subordinated debentures with variable rates is deemed to be the carrying value.

(i) Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit

The majority of our commitments to extend credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans. Because these commitments are generally unassignable by either the borrower or us, they only have value to the borrower and us. The estimated fair value approximates the recorded deferred fee amounts and is excluded from the following table because it is not material.

(j) Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and are based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect income taxes or any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company’s financial

instruments, fair value estimates are based on what management believes to be conservative judgments regarding expected future cash flows, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimated fair values are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Since the fair values have been estimated as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid at settlement or maturity of the instruments could be significantly different.

93




(11)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Carrying or
Contract Amount

 

Fair Value
Estimates

 

Carrying or
Contract Amount

 

Fair Value
Estimates

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Financial Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

 

$

128,910

 

 

$

128,910

 

 

$

100,662

 

 

$

100,662

 

Federal funds sold

 

 

22,000

 

 

22,000

 

 

4,600

 

 

4,600

 

Interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions

 

 

501

 

 

501

 

 

90

 

 

90

 

Investment in Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

 

 

28,747

 

 

28,747

 

 

26,753

 

 

26,753

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

91,381

 

 

91,381

 

 

212,601

 

 

212,601

 

Loans, held for sale

 

 

173,319

 

 

174,371

 

 

 

 

 

Loans, net

 

 

4,136,635

 

 

4,074,433

 

 

2,440,525

 

 

2,395,174

 

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

3,685,733

 

 

3,685,919

 

 

2,405,361

 

 

2,404,494

 

Borrowings

 

 

499,000

 

 

497,703

 

 

160,300

 

 

161,055

 

Subordinated debentures

 

 

149,219

 

 

151,332

 

 

121,654

 

 

123,756

 

 

(12)   Lease Commitments

As of December 31, 2006, aggregate minimum rental commitments for certain real property under noncancellable operating leases having initial or remaining terms of more than one year are as follows (in thousands):

2007

 

$

12,194

 

2008

 

11,891

 

2009

 

10,639

 

2010

 

10,117

 

2011

 

8,465

 

Thereafter

 

29,873

 

Total

 

$

83,179

 

 

Total gross rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $10.1 million, $7.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively. Most of the leases provide that the Company pay maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses applicable to the leased premises in addition to the monthly minimum payments. Management expects that leases that expire to be renewed or replaced by other leases in the ordinary course of business. Total rental income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was approximately $419,000, $250,000 and $226,000, respectively. The future minimum rental income to be received under noncancelable subleases is $4.3 million.

94




(13)   Income Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, the net balance of which is included in other assets, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

 

    2006    

 

    2005    

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Lease income

 

$

12

 

$

20

 

Allowance for credit losses, due to differences in computation of bad debts

 

26,095

 

13,141

 

Interest on nonaccrual loans

 

845

 

521

 

Deferred loan fees and costs

 

1,316

 

957

 

Deferred compensation

 

5,339

 

2,930

 

Net operating losses

 

4,813

 

4,403

 

Accrued liabilities

 

6,751

 

4,999

 

Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale

 

123

 

1,749

 

Other

 

3,468

 

1,444

 

State tax benefit

 

3,649

 

2,709

 

Total deferred tax assets, net

 

52,411

 

32,873

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Core deposit and customer relationship intangibles

 

21,165

 

11,479

 

Premises and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation

 

5

 

266

 

FHLB stock dividends

 

974

 

417

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

 

22,144

 

12,162

 

Total net deferred taxes assets

 

$

30,267

 

$

20,711

 

 

Based upon our tax paying history and estimates of taxable income over the years in which the items giving rise to the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.

For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the components of income taxes consist of the following:

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

   2004   

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Current income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

40,803

 

$

27,657

 

$

18,911

 

State

 

11,695

 

7,579

 

4,721

 

Total current income taxes

 

52,498

 

35,236

 

23,632

 

Deferred income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(1,928

)

(645

)

(212

)

State

 

942

 

534

 

876

 

Total deferred income taxes

 

(986

)

(111

)

664

 

Total income tax expense

 

$

51,512

 

$

35,125

 

$

24,296

 

 

95




(13)   Income Taxes (Continued)

The following table is a reconciliation of total income taxes to the amount of taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory Federal income tax rate of 35% to earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change:

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

   2004   

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Computed expected income taxes at Federal statutory rate

 

$

44,579

 

$

29,922

 

$

21,231

 

State tax, net of federal tax benefit

 

8,214

 

5,273

 

3,638

 

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance

 

(772

)

(569

)

(664

)

Tax credits

 

(656

)

(115

)

(373

)

Other, net

 

147

 

614

 

464

 

Recorded income taxes

 

$

51,512

 

$

35,125

 

$

24,296

 

 

As of December 31, 2006 net current taxes receivable, included in other assets, totaled $3.2 million. As of December 31, 2005, net current taxes payable, included in other liabilities, totaled $3.4 million.

The Company has available at December 31, 2006, approximately $13.1 million of unused Federal net operating loss carryforwards that may be applied against future taxable income through 2025. The Company has available at December 31, 2006, approximately $3.4 million of unused state net operating loss carryforwards that may be applied against future taxable income through 2015. The applications of the net operating loss and other carryforwards are subject to annual limitations set forth in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(14)   Earnings Per Share

The following is a summary of the calculation of basic and diluted net earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except
 per share data)

 

Net earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

75,856

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

Accounting change

 

142

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

Weighted average shares outstanding used for basic earnings per share

 

23,476

 

16,536

 

15,521

 

Effect of restricted stock and dilutive stock options

 

204

 

358

 

466

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

23,680

 

16,894

 

15,987

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings before accounting change

 

$

3.23

 

$

3.05

 

$

2.34

 

Accounting change(1)

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

3.23

 

$

3.05

 

$

2.34

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings before accounting change

 

$

3.21

 

$

2.98

 

$

2.27

 

Accounting change(1)

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

3.21

 

$

2.98

 

$

2.27

 


(1)          Less than $0.01 per share for 2006.

96




(14)   Earnings Per Share (Continued)

Diluted earnings per share does not include all potentially dilutive shares that may result from outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards which may eventually vest. The number of stock options, and performance and restricted shares which are outstanding but not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 681,417 for 2006, 592,461 for 2005 and 925,817 for 2004.

(15)   Comprehensive Income

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net earnings

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

Other comprehensive income, net of related income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized after-tax gains and losses on securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

 

328

 

(945

)

56

 

Reclassifications of realized losses included in income

 

1,916

 

 

142

 

 

 

2,244

 

(945

)

198

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

78,242

 

$

49,421

 

$

36,561

 

 

(16)   Benefit Plans

Accounting Change

We adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”) on January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R applies to all stock-based compensation transactions in which an entity acquires employee or director services by either issuing stock or other equity instruments, such as stock options, restricted and performance stock, and/or stock appreciation rights, or incurring liabilities that are based on an entity’s stock price, and requires entities that engage in these transactions to recognize compensation expense based on the fair value of the stock or other equity instrument either issued, modified, or settled. We adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective approach. Under this approach, compensation expense is recognized for (1) new share-based payment awards (e.g., stock options, restricted stock, and performance stock), (2) awards that are modified, repurchased, or cancelled after December 31, 2005, and (3) the remaining portion of the requisite service under previously granted unvested stock awards as of December 31, 2005. All stock options had vested as of March 31, 2006; accordingly, there is no further effect on our financial statements for our outstanding vested stock options. We have recognized compensation expense for all restricted and performance stock awards since the dates on which they were awarded.

As permitted under formerly effective accounting rules, we did not consider estimated forfeitures of stock awards during the amortization period and recognized the effect of forfeitures as they occurred. As required by SFAS 123R we recognized the cumulative effect of estimated forfeitures for unvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2005, by increasing our first quarter of 2006 earnings by $242,000. The after-tax effect of this adjustment was to increase net earnings by $142,000, or less than $0.01 per share on a year-to-date basis. SFAS 123R also requires us to use estimated forfeitures in recognizing stock compensation expense beginning January 1, 2006, and to true-up such expense when forfeitures occur. Amortization expense for all restricted and performance stock awards was $7.6 million for 2006 and includes an estimate for forfeitures. As of December 31, 2006, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense totaled $29.9 million and is expected to be recognized ratably through December 31, 2012. When we made restricted and performance stock awards prior to January 1, 2006, we established an unearned

97




(16)   Benefit Plans (Continued)

equity compensation contra account within our shareholders’ equity equal to the market value of our common stock underlying the award on the award date. SFAS 123R required us to eliminate the unearned equity compensation account on January 1, 2006, by reclassifying it to common stock. Such reclassification had no effect on the amount of our shareholders’ equity.

Restricted and Performance Stock.

At December 31, 2006, there were outstanding 377,514 shares of unvested restricted common stock, 57,500 shares of unvested performance common stock awarded in 2003, and 315,000 shares of unvested performance common stock awarded in 2006. The awarded shares of restricted common stock vest over a service period of three to four years from date of the grant. The awarded shares of performance common stock vest in full or in part on the date the Compensation, Nominating and Governance (“CNG”) Committee of the Board of Directors, as Administrator of the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, determines that the Company achieved certain financial goals established by the CNG Committee as set forth in the grant documents. In January 2007, the CNG Committee determined that certain financial goals were met and vested the remaining 57,500 shares of performance common stock awarded in 2003. The unvested performance stock awarded in 2006 expires in 7 years and is currently expected to vest during the first quarter of 2013. Both restricted common stock and performance common stock vest immediately upon a change in control of the Company as defined in the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.

A summary of the status of our restricted and performance stock outstanding and the change during the year is presented in the table below:

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
average fair value
on award date

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

405,831

 

 

$

36.27

 

 

Awarded

 

530,750

 

 

$

55.17

 

 

Shares issued by the Company upon vesting

 

(159,530

)

 

$

33.71

 

 

Forfeited

 

(27,037

)

 

$

43.88

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

750,014

 

 

$

49.91

 

 

 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding restricted and performance stock awards at December 31, 2006:

 

 

At award date

 

Vesting

 

Forfeited

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Number
of shares
awarded

 

Weighted
average
fair value

 

Number
of shares
vested

 

Weighted
average
fair value
on award
date

 

Number
of shares

 

Weighted
average
fair value
on award
date

 

Number
of
shares

 

Weighted
average
fair value
on award
date

 

Weighted
average fair
value at
12/31/06(1)

 

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Restricted stock awarded in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

205,000

 

 

$

32.41

 

 

 

125,017

 

 

 

$

32.62

 

 

 

43,998

 

 

 

$

32.25

 

 

 

35,985

 

 

 

$

31.90

 

 

 

$

1,881

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

2004

 

155,980

 

 

$

36.82

 

 

 

73,091

 

 

 

$

37.23

 

 

 

13,210

 

 

 

$

36.53

 

 

 

69,679

 

 

 

$

36.43

 

 

 

3,642

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

2005

 

77,500

 

 

$

47.48

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

$

42.95

 

 

 

15,900

 

 

 

$

47.03

 

 

 

60,600

 

 

 

$

47.67

 

 

 

3,168

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

2006

 

215,750

 

 

$

56.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

4,500

 

 

 

$

58.97

 

 

 

211,250

 

 

 

$

56.43

 

 

 

11,041

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

Total restricted stock awards

 

654,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

199,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

77,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

377,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,732

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

Performance stock awarded in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

255,000

 

 

$

32.05

 

 

 

185,000

 

 

 

$

32.05

 

 

 

12,500

 

 

 

$

31.90

 

 

 

57,500

 

 

 

$

32.06

 

 

 

3,006

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

2006

 

315,000

 

 

$

54.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

315,000

 

 

 

$

54.27

 

 

 

16,465

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

Total performance stock awards

 

570,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

185,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

372,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,471

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

Total awards

 

1,224,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

384,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

750,014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

39,203

 

 

 

3.6

 

 


(1)                Determined using the $52.27 closing price of First Community common stock on December 31, 2006.

98




(16)   Benefit Plans (Continued)

Compensation expense related to awards of restricted and performance stock is based on the fair value of the underlying stock on the award date and is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The vesting of performance stock awards and recognition of related compensation expense may occur over a shorter vesting period if financial performance targets are achieved earlier than anticipated. Restricted and performance stock amortization totaled $7.6 million, $4.0 million and $7.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and is included in compensation expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

Stock Options.

A summary of the status of our stock options outstanding and the changes during the year ended December 31, 2006 is presented in the table below:

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars
in thousands)

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

543,793

 

 

$

21.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(408,420

)

 

21.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2006

 

135,373

 

 

$

20.78

 

 

 

$

4,263

 

 


(1)          Calculated as the difference between the $52.27 closing price of First Community common stock on December 31, 2006 and the weighted average exercise price.

Both restricted and performance stock and stock options are permitted to be awarded to officers, directors, key employees and consultants under the terms described in the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. The 2003 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes grants of stock-based compensation instruments to purchase or issue up to 3,500,000 shares of authorized but unissued Company common stock, subject to adjustments provided by the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2006, there were 916,196 shares available for grant under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.

Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (DDCP)

The Company has a deferred compensation plan, known as the DDCP, in which the Company’s directors and executive officers may participate. The DDCP is administered by an administrative committee, which consists of certain non-director executive officers of the Company.

The DDCP allows participants to defer payment of all or a portion of their directors’ fees, in the case of outside directors, or base salary, bonus or other compensation, including restricted and performance stock awards, in the case of employee participants, for the next succeeding calendar year. Participation in the DDCP is voluntary and participants may not change their investment elections once made.

Participants may elect to have their contributions used to purchase Company common stock. The DDCP held 139,460 shares of Company common stock at December 31, 2006.

401(K) Plans

When we acquire other companies, we generally acquire their 401(k) plans.  As of December 31, 2006, we had three 401(k) plans, which included the First Community Bancorp plan and the two plans acquired in the Foothill and Community Bancorp acquisitions. We expect to merge the Foothill and Community Bancorp 401(k) plans into the First Community Bancorp plan during 2007. Expense related to 401(k) contributions was $687,000, $598,000 and $410,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

99




(17)   Restricted Cash Balances

The Company is required to maintain reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank. Reserve requirements are based on a percentage of deposit liabilities and may be satisfied by cash on hand. The average reserves required to be held at the Federal Reserve Bank for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $639,000 and $633,000.

(18)   Dividend Availability

Holders of Company common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available under state law governing the Company and certain federal laws and regulations governing the banking and financial services business. In addition, Pacific Western is subject to restrictions under certain federal and state laws and regulations governing banks which limit their ability to transfer funds to the Company through intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends. Dividends paid by state banks such as Pacific Western are regulated by the DFI under its general supervisory authority as it relates to a bank’s capital requirements. A state bank may declare a dividend without the approval of the DFI as long as the total dividends declared in a calendar year do not exceed either the retained earnings or the total of net earnings for three previous fiscal years less any dividend paid during such period. During 2006, First Community received dividends of $50.0 million from Pacific Western. The amount of dividends available for payment by Pacific Western to the holding company at December 31, 2006, was $90.5 million.

During 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company paid $30.0 million, $16.0 million and $13.2 million, respectively, in cash dividends on common stock.

Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is also limited by certain covenants contained in our revolving line of credit agreement and the indentures governing trust preferred securities issued by us or entities we have acquired and the debentures underlying the trust preferred securities. The indentures provide, if an Event of Default (as defined in the indentures) has occurred and is continuing, or if we are in default with respect to any obligations under our guarantee agreement which covers payments of the obligations on the trust preferred securities, or if we give notice of any intention to defer payments of interest on the debentures underlying the trust preferred securities, then we may not, among other restrictions, declare or pay any dividends (other than a dividend payable by the Banks to the holding company) with respect to our common stock. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is limited by certain provisions of our revolving line of credit agreement with U.S. Bank. This agreement provides that we may not declare or pay any dividend on the Company’s common stock in any quarter if an Event of Default (as defined in the agreement) has occurred or will occur as a result of such payment. In addition, it prevents us from paying a dividend in the event we no longer own 100% of Pacific Western.

(19)   Regulatory Matters

First Community, as a bank holding company, is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

100




(19)   Regulatory Matters (Continued)

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2006, that the Company and the Bank have met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 2006, the most recent notification from the regulatory agencies categorized the Company and the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized the Company and the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s or any of the Bank’s categories.

Actual capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are presented in the following table:

Capital Requirements

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

Adequately
Capitalized

 

Well capitalized

 

 

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Company

 

$

602,893

 

12.18

%

$

395,989

 

 

8.00

%

 

$

494,986

 

10.00

%

Pacific Western Bank

 

601,850

 

12.17

 

395,629

 

 

8.00

 

 

494,536

 

10.00

 

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Company

 

541,714

 

10.94

 

198,067

 

 

4.00

 

 

297,101

 

6.00

 

Pacific Western Bank

 

540,671

 

10.93

 

197,867

 

 

4.00

 

 

296,800

 

6.00

 

Tier I Capital (to Average Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Company

 

541,714

 

12.19

 

177,757

 

 

4.00

 

 

222,196

 

5.00

 

Pacific Western Bank

 

540,671

 

12.40

 

174,410

 

 

4.00

 

 

218,013

 

5.00

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Company

 

$

342,337

 

11.79

%

$

232,290

 

 

8.00

%

 

$

290,362

 

10.00

%

Pacific Western Bank

 

339,994

 

11.73

 

231,880

 

 

8.00

 

 

289,850

 

10.00

 

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Company

 

309,366

 

10.66

 

116,085

 

 

4.00

 

 

174,127

 

6.00

 

Pacific Western Bank

 

307,022

 

10.59

 

115,967

 

 

4.00

 

 

173,950

 

6.00

 

Tier I Capital (to Average Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Company

 

309,366

 

10.55

 

117,295

 

 

4.00

 

 

146,619

 

5.00

 

Pacific Western Bank

 

307,022

 

10.47

 

117,296

 

 

4.00

 

 

146,620

 

5.00

 

 

We have issued subordinated debentures to trusts that were established by us or entities we have acquired which, in turn, issued trust preferred securities, which totaled $141.0 million and $118.0 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005. These securities are treated as regulatory capital for purposes of determining the Company’s capital ratios. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which is the holding company’s banking regulator, has promulgated a modification of the capital regulations affecting trust preferred securities. Under this modification, effective March 31, 2009, the Company will be required to use a more restrictive formula to determine the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in regulatory Tier I capital. At that time, the Company will be allowed to include in Tier I capital an amount of trust preferred securities equal to no more than 25% of the sum of all core capital elements, which is generally defined as shareholders’ equity, less goodwill net of any related deferred income tax liability. The regulations currently in effect through December 31, 2008 limit the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in Tier I capital to 25% of the sum of core capital elements without a deduction for

101




(19)   Regulatory Matters (Continued)

goodwill. We have determined that our Tier I capital ratios would remain above the well-capitalized level had the modification of the capital regulations been in effect at December 31, 2006. We expect that our Tier I capital ratios will be at or above the existing well-capitalized levels on March 31, 2009, the first date on which the modified capital regulations must be applied.

(20)   Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

The parent company only condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the related condensed statements of earnings and condensed statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006 are presented below.

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

3,994

 

$

5,975

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

1,308,285

 

616,434

 

Other assets

 

8,469

 

6,762

 

Total assets

 

$

1,320,748

 

$

629,171

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

$

 

$

 

Subordinated debentures

 

149,219

 

121,654

 

Other liabilities

 

3,201

 

6,739

 

Total liabilities

 

152,420

 

128,393

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

1,168,328

 

500,778

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,320,748

 

$

629,171

 

 

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Condensed Statements of Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

 

$

 

$

2

 

Other income

 

340

 

269

 

182

 

Dividends from subsidiaries

 

50,000

 

23,500

 

38,500

 

Total income

 

50,340

 

23,769

 

38,684

 

Interest expense

 

11,442

 

8,617

 

6,332

 

Other expense

 

14,890

 

13,492

 

14,740

 

Total expense

 

26,332

 

22,109

 

21,072

 

Earnings before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings
of subsidiaries

 

24,008

 

1,660

 

17,612

 

Income tax benefit

 

(10,912

)

(9,178

)

(8,779

)

Earnings before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

 

34,920

 

10,838

 

26,391

 

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

 

40,936

 

39,528

 

9,972

 

Net earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

75,856

 

50,366

 

36,363

 

Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2005) of changing the method of accounting for stock-based compensation forfeitures

 

142

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

 

 

102




(20)   Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company (Continued)

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

75,998

 

$

50,366

 

$

36,363

 

Change in other assets

 

5,590

 

4,830

 

(2,444

)

Change in other liabilities

 

314

 

4,412

 

(815

)

Amortization of unearned compensation related to restricted stock

 

7,369

 

4,038

 

7,518

 

Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

 

(41,032

)

(39,528

)

(9,972

)

Cash flows provided by operating activities

 

48,239

 

24,118

 

30,650

 

Net, increase in investment in subsidiaries

 

(110,189

)

(49,035

)

(82,501

)

Other investing activities

 

 

 

4

 

Cash flows used in investing activities

 

(110,189

)

(49,035

)

(82,497

)

Proceeds from exercise and vesting of stock awards

 

6,415

 

2,036

 

3,456

 

Dividends paid

 

(29,956

)

(15,952

)

(13,158

)

Issuance of subordinated debentures

 

 

 

61,856

 

Repayment of subordinated debentures

 

(20,620

)

 

 

Decrease in borrowed funds

 

 

(5,000

)

(2,000

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

109,456

 

49,022

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(5,326

)

 

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities

 

59,969

 

30,106

 

50,154

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

(1,981

)

5,189

 

(1,693

)

Cash, beginning of the period

 

5,975

 

786

 

2,479

 

Cash, end of the period

 

$

3,994

 

$

5,975

 

$

786

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for acquisitions

 

$

494,765

 

$

36,627

 

 

 

(21)   Related Party Transactions

Castle Creek Financial, LLC, which we refer to as Castle Creek Financial, serves as the exclusive financial advisor for the Company pursuant to an engagement letter dated December 5, 2006, between Castle Creek Financial and the Company. Castle Creek Financial is an affiliate of Castle Creek Capital, LLC, which is controlled by the Company’s chairman. During 2006, 2005, and 2004 the Company paid Castle Creek Financial $6.5 million, $1.2 million, and $955,000 for financial advice relating to our acquisitions. Under our current agreement with Castle Creek Financial our chairman, Mr. Eggemeyer, is entitled to reimbursement of expenses. The amount paid to Mr. Eggemeyer totaled $19,900 for 2006. Under our previous agreement, Castle Creek Financial was entitled to reimbursement of expenses. The expense reimbursements paid to Castle Creek Financial under the previous agreement totaled $32,000 in 2005 and $47,000 in 2004.

103




(22)   Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

For the Quarters Ended

 

 

 

March 31,  
2006

 

June 30,  
2006

 

September 30,  
2006

 

December 31,  
2006

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Interest income

 

 

$

62,194

 

 

 

$

70,989

 

 

 

$

77,522

 

 

 

$

90,892

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

10,242

 

 

 

12,951

 

 

 

15,777

 

 

 

20,670

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

51,952

 

 

 

58,038

 

 

 

61,745

 

 

 

70,222

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

100

 

 

 

9,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

 

 

51,852

 

 

 

48,538

 

 

 

61,745

 

 

 

70,222

 

 

Noninterest income

 

 

3,633

 

 

 

4,291

 

 

 

4,647

 

 

 

3,895

 

 

Noninterest expense

 

 

26,171

 

 

 

28,444

 

 

 

30,127

 

 

 

36,713

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

29,314

 

 

 

24,385

 

 

 

36,265

 

 

 

37,404

 

 

Income taxes (note 13)

 

 

12,053

 

 

 

9,934

 

 

 

14,890

 

 

 

14,635

 

 

Net earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

17,261

 

 

 

14,451

 

 

 

21,375

 

 

 

22,769

 

 

Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2005) of changing the method of accounting for stock-based compensation forfeitures

 

 

142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

$

17,403

 

 

 

$

14,451

 

 

 

$

21,375

 

 

 

$

22,769

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings before accounting change

 

 

$

0.89

 

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

Accounting change

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

$

0.90

 

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings before accounting change

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

Accounting change(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

Dividends per common share declared and paid

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

Common stock price range:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

$

61.65

 

 

 

$

61.35

 

 

 

$

59.52

 

 

 

$

58.11

 

 

Low

 

 

$

53.95

 

 

 

$

55.02

 

 

 

$

51.87

 

 

 

$

51.30

 

 


(1)          Less than $0.01 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

104




(22)   Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

For the Quarters Ended

 

 

 

March 31,  
2005

 

June 30,  
2005

 

September 30,  
2005

 

December 31,  
2005

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Interest income

 

 

$

40,254

 

 

 

$

42,645

 

 

 

$

46,734

 

 

 

$

53,719

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

4,669

 

 

 

5,433

 

 

 

5,954

 

 

 

6,861

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

35,585

 

 

 

37,212

 

 

 

40,780

 

 

 

46,858

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

800

 

 

 

620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

 

 

34,785

 

 

 

36,592

 

 

 

40,780

 

 

 

46,858

 

 

Other income

 

 

3,502

 

 

 

3,331

 

 

 

3,514

 

 

 

3,445

 

 

Other expenses

 

 

20,951

 

 

 

19,892

 

 

 

22,213

 

 

 

24,260

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

17,336

 

 

 

20,031

 

 

 

22,081

 

 

 

26,043

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

7,074

 

 

 

8,213

 

 

 

9,087

 

 

 

10,751

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

$

10,262

 

 

 

$

11,818

 

 

 

$

12,994

 

 

 

$

15,292

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

$

0.65

 

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

 

$

0.79

 

 

 

$

0.86

 

 

Diluted

 

 

$

0.63

 

 

 

$

0.72

 

 

 

$

0.78

 

 

 

$

0.84

 

 

Dividends per common share declared and paid

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

Common stock price range:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

$

46.20

 

 

 

$

48.95

 

 

 

$

51.62

 

 

 

$

57.30

 

 

Low

 

 

$

39.00

 

 

 

$

41.18

 

 

 

$

45.50

 

 

 

$

45.07

 

 

 

Comparison of quarterly results may not be meaningful due to acquisitions. See Note 2 for information.

105




ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2006, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon are set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

106




PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information required by this Item regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers, including information with respect to beneficial ownership reporting compliance, will appear in the Proxy Statement we will deliver to our shareholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2007. We are incorporating herein by reference the information contained in that section. Information relating to the registrant’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to its employees, including its senior financial officers, is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Item 1. Business—Available Information.”

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item will appear in the Proxy Statement we will deliver to our shareholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2007. We are incorporating herein by reference the information contained in that section.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will appear in the Proxy Statement we will deliver to our shareholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2007. We are incorporating herein by reference the information contained in that section. Information relating to securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans is included in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.”

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this Item will appear in the Proxy Statement we will deliver to our shareholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 16, 2007. We are incorporating herein by reference the information contained in that section.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item will appear in the Proxy Statement we will deliver to our shareholders in connection with our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2007. We are incorporating herein by reference the information contained in that section.

107




PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)   1.   Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of First Community Bancorp and its subsidiaries and independent auditors’ report are included in Item 8 under Part II of this Form 10-K.

2.      Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules have been omitted, as they are either inapplicable or included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3.      Exhibits

The following documents are included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

2.1

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 15, 2006, by and between Community Bancorp Inc. and First Community Bancorp (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Community Bancorp, dated April 26, 2006 (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

3.2

 

Restated Bylaws of First Community Bancorp dated November 8, 2006 (Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

4.1

 

Indenture between State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association and First Community Bancorp dated as of September 7, 2000 (Exhibit 10.6 of Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference).

4.2

 

Indenture between State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association and First Community Bancorp dated as of June 26, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference).

4.3

 

Indenture between First Community Bancorp, as Issuer, and U.S. Bank, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of August 15, 2003 (Exhibit 4.5 to Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference).

4.4

 

Indenture between First Community Bancorp, as Issuer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of September 3, 2003 (Exhibit 4.6 to Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference).

4.5

 

Indenture between First Community Bancorp, as Issuer and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, dated as of February 5, 2004 (Exhibit 4.7 to Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference).

4.6

 

Indenture between Foothill Independent Bancorp and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of December 19, 2002, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture between First Community Bancorp and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated as of May 9, 2006.

4.7

 

Indenture between Community Bancorp Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of March 23, 2000, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture between First Community Bancorp and the Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of October 26, 2006.

108




 

4.8

 

Indenture between Community Bancorp Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated as of September 17, 2003, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture between First Community Bancorp and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated as of October 26, 2006.

4.9

 

Indenture, between Community Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of August 15, 2005, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture between First Community Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of October 26, 2006.

10.1*

 

First Community Bancorp 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, effective April 19, 2006 (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on April 25, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.2*

 

Amended and Restated Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, dated as of August 29, 2003 (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, dated as of December 8, 2003 (Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.4

 

Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2006, by and between U.S. Bank, N.A. and First Community Bancorp (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.5

 

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated November 21, 2006, by and between U.S. Bank, N.A. and First Community Bancorp (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on November 28, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.6

 

Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2006, between U.S. Bank, N.A. and First Community Bancorp (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.7

 

Amendment No. 1 to Pledge Agreement, dated November 21, 2006, between U.S. Bank, N.A. and First Community Bancorp (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed on November 28, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.8

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of First Community/CA Statutory Trust I, dated September 7, 2000, By and Among State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association as Institutional Trustee, First Community Bancorp, as Sponsor and Mark Christian and Arnold C. Hahn, as Administrators (Exhibit 10.5 of Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.9

 

Guarantee Agreement By and Between First Community Bancorp and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association Dated as of September 7, 2000 (Exhibit 10.4 of Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.10

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of First Community/CA Statutory Trust IV, dated June 26, 2002, By and Among State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Institutional Trustee, First Community Bancorp, as Sponsor, and Matthew P. Wagner, Lynn M. Hopkins and Robert Borgman, as Administrators (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.11

 

Guarantee Agreement By and Between First Community Bancorp and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association Dated as of June 26, 2002 (Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference).

109




 

10.12

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of First Community/CA Statutory Trust V by and among U.S. Bank, N.A. as Institutional Trustee, First Community Bancorp, as Sponsor and Matthew P. Wagner, Lynn M. Hopkins and Jared M. Wolff, as Administrators dated as of August 15, 2003 (Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.13

 

Guarantee Agreement by and between First Community Bancorp and U.S. Bank, N.A. dated as of August 15, 2003 (Exhibit 10.18 to Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.14

 

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of First Community/CA Statutory Trust VI among First Community Bancorp as Depositor, The Bank of New York as Property Trustee, The Bank of New York (Delaware) as the Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, dated as of September 3, 2003 (Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.15

 

Guarantee Agreement between First Community Bancorp and The Bank of New York, dated as of September 3, 2003 (Exhibit 10.19 to Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.16

 

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of First Community/CA Statutory Trust VII among First Community Bancorp as Sponsor, Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A. as Delaware Trustee, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Institutional Trustee, and the Administrators named therein, dated as of February 5, 2004 (Exhibit 10.19 to Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.17

 

Guarantee Agreement between First Community Bancorp and JPMorgan Chase Bank, dated as of February 5, 2004 (Exhibit 10.20 to Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.18

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I, dated as of December 19, 2002.

10.19

 

Guarantee Agreement By and Between Foothill Independent Bancorp and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, N.A., dated as of December 19, 2002.

10.20

 

Amended and Restated declaration of Trust of Community (CA) Capital Trust I, dated as of March 23, 2000.

10.21

 

Guarantee Agreement By and Between Community Bancorp Inc. and the Bank of New York, dated as of March 23, 2000.

10.22

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II, dated as of September 17, 2003.

10.23

 

Guarantee Agreement By and Between Community Bancorp Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of September 17, 2003.

10.24

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III, dated as of August 15, 2005.

10.25

 

Guarantee Agreement By and Between Community Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of August 15, 2005.

10.26

 

Services Agreement, dated as of December 5, 2006, between First Community Bancorp and Castle Creek Financial LLC (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.27*

 

Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated July 25, 2006, applicable to the executive officers of First Community Bancorp and certain senior officers of the First Community Bancorp and its subsidiaries (Exhibit 10.22 to Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.28*

 

Executive Incentive Plan, dated February 8, 2006 (Exhibit 10.23 to Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2006 and incorporated herein by this reference).

110




 

10.29*

 

Indemnification Agreement, as amended, applicable to the directors and executive officers of First Community Bancorp (Exhibit 10.24 to Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.30*

 

Form of Stock Award Agreement and Grant Notice pursuant to the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (Exhibit 10.28 to Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.31

 

Lease Agreement, as amended through January 1, 2004, between DL FNBC, L.P. and First National Bank, for the premises located at 401 West “A” Street, San Diego, California (Exhibit 10.29 to Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by this reference).

10.32

 

Form of Purchase Agreement between First Community Bancorp and investors purchasing shares pursuant to direct sales by the Company under its shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Exhibit 10.32 to Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2005 and incorporated herein by this reference).

11.1

 

Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings (See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

12.1

 

Statement re: Computation of Ratios (See “Item 6. Selected Financial Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1

 

Consent of KPMG LLP.

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).

31.1

 

Section 302 Certifications.

32.1

 

Section 906 Certifications.


*                    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b)   Exhibits

The exhibits listed in Item 15(a)3 are incorporated by reference or attached hereto.

(c)   Excluded Financial Statements

Not Applicable.

111




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP

Dated: February 27, 2007

By:

/s/ MATTHEW P. WAGNER

 

 

Matthew P. Wagner

 

 

(Chief Executive Officer)

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John M. Eggemeyer, Matthew P. Wagner, Timothy B. Matz, Victor R. Santoro and Jared M. Wolff, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of substitution and resubstitution to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that such attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K and any and all amendments hereto, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, and his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

/s/ JOHN M. EGGEMEYER

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

February 27, 2007

John M. Eggemeyer

 

 

 

 

/s/ MATTHEW P. WAGNER

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

February 27, 2007

Matthew P. Wagner

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

/s/ VICTOR R. SANTORO

 

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

February 27, 2007

Victor R. Santoro

 

Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

/s/ MARK N. BAKER

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Mark N. Baker

 

 

 

 

/s/ GARY W. DEEMS

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Gary W. Deems

 

 

 

 

/s/ STEPHEN M. DUNN

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Stephen M. Dunn

 

 

 

 

/s/ BARRY C. FITZPATRICK

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Barry C. Fitzpatrick

 

 

 

 

/s/ GEORGE E. LANGLEY

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

George E. Langley

 

 

 

 

112




 

/s/ SUSAN E. LESTER

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Susan E. Lester

 

 

 

 

/s/ TIMOTHY B. MATZ

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Timothy B. Matz

 

 

 

 

/s/ ARNOLD W. MESSER

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Arnold W. Messer

 

 

 

 

/s/ DANIEL B. PLATT

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Daniel B. Platt

 

 

 

 

/s/ ROBERT A. STINE

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

Robert A. Stine

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID S. WILLIAMS

 

Director

 

February 27, 2007

David S. Williams

 

 

 

 

 

113



EX-4.6 2 a07-4181_1ex4d6.htm EX-4.6

Exhibit 4.6

 

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP,
as Issuer

INDENTURE

Dated as of December 19, 2002

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES

DUE 2032

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

 

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.1.

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II. DEBENTURES

 

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.1.

Authentication and Dating

 

7

 

Section 2.2.

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

 

8

 

Section 2.3.

Form and Denomination of Debentures

 

8

 

Section 2.4.

Execution of Debentures

 

8

 

Section 2.5.

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures

 

8

 

Section 2.6.

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures

 

10

 

Section 2.7.

Temporary Debentures

 

11

 

Section 2.8.

Payment of Interest and Additional Interest

 

11

 

Section 2.9.

Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc.

 

13

 

Section 2.10.

Computation of Interest

 

13

 

Section 2.11.

Extension of Interest Payment Period

 

14

 

Section 2.12.

CUSIP Numbers

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

16

 

 

 

 

Section 3.1.

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures

 

16

 

Section 3.2.

Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.

 

16

 

Section 3.3.

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office.

 

17

 

Section 3.4.

Provision as to Paying Agent

 

17

 

Section 3.5.

Certificate to Trustee

 

18

 

Section 3.6.

Additional Sums

 

18

 

Section 3.7.

Compliance with Consolidation Provisions

 

18

 

Section 3.8.

Limitation on Dividends

 

18

 

Section 3.9.

Covenants as to the Trust.

 

19

 

Section 3.10.

Additional Junior Indebtedness

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

 

19

 

 

 

 

Section 4.1.

Securityholders’ Lists

 

19

 

Section 4.2.

Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

20

 

 

 

 

Section 5.1.

Events of Default

 

20

 

Section 5.2.

Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor

 

22

 

Section 5.3.

Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee

 

23

 

Section 5.4.

Proceedings by Securityholders

 

24

 

Section 5.5.

Proceedings by Trustee

 

24

 

Section 5.6.

Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver

 

24

 

i




 

 

Section 5.7.

Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders

 

25

 

Section 5.8.

Notice of Defaults

 

25

 

Section 5.9.

Undertaking to Pay Costs

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

26

 

 

 

 

Section 6.1.

Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

 

26

 

Section 6.2.

Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

 

27

 

Section 6.3.

No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

 

28

 

Section 6.4.

Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures

 

28

 

Section 6.5.

Moneys to be Held in Trust

 

28

 

Section 6.6.

Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

 

28

 

Section 6.7.

Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

 

29

 

Section 6.8.

Eligibility of Trustee

 

29

 

Section 6.9.

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

 

29

 

Section 6.10.

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

 

30

 

Section 6.11.

Succession by Merger, etc.

 

31

 

Section 6.12.

Authenticating Agents

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

32

 

 

 

 

Section 7.1.

Action by Securityholders

 

32

 

Section 7.2.

Proof of Execution by Securityholders

 

33

 

Section 7.3.

Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners

 

33

 

Section 7.4.

Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding

 

33

 

Section 7.5.

Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETING

 

34

 

 

 

 

Section 8.1.

Purposes of Meetings

 

34

 

Section 8.2.

Call of Meetings by Trustee

 

34

 

Section 8.3.

Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders

 

34

 

Section 8.4.

Qualifications for Voting

 

35

 

Section 8.5.

Regulations

 

35

 

Section 8.6.

Voting

 

35

 

Section 8.7.

Quorum; Actions

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

36

 

 

 

 

Section 9.1.

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders

 

36

 

Section 9.2.

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders

 

37

 

Section 9.3.

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

 

38

 

Section 9.4.

Notation on Debentures

 

38

 

Section 9.5.

Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

39

 

 

 

 

Section 10.1.

Optional Redemption

 

39

 

Section 10.2.

Special Event Redemption

 

39

 

Section 10.3.

Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures

 

39

 

Section 10.4.

Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption

 

40

 

ii




 

 

ARTICLE XI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

 

40

 

 

 

 

Section 11.1.

Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

 

40

 

Section 11.2.

Successor Entity to be Substituted

 

40

 

Section 11.3.

Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

41

 

 

 

 

Section 12.1.

Discharge of Indenture

 

41

 

Section 12.2.

Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee

 

41

 

Section 12.3.

Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held

 

42

 

Section 12.4.

Return of Unclaimed Moneys

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

42

 

 

 

 

Section 13.1.

Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

42

 

 

 

 

Section 14.1.

Successors

 

42

 

Section 14.2.

Official Acts by Successor Entity

 

42

 

Section 14.3.

Surrender of Company Powers

 

42

 

Section 14.4.

Addresses for Notices, etc.

 

43

 

Section 14.5.

Governing Law

 

43

 

Section 14.6.

Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

 

43

 

Section 14.7.

Non-Business Days

 

43

 

Section 14.8.

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

43

 

Section 14.9.

Execution in Counterparts.

 

44

 

Section 14.10.

Separability

 

44

 

Section 14.11.

Assignment

 

44

 

Section 14.12.

Acknowledgment of Rights

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

 

44

 

 

 

 

Section 15.1.

Agreement to Subordinate

 

44

 

Section 15.2.

Default on Senior Indebtedness

 

44

 

Section 15.3.

Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

 

45

 

Section 15.4.

Subrogation

 

46

 

Section 15.5.

Trustee to Effectuate subordination

 

46

 

Section 15.6.

Notice by the Company

 

47

 

Section 15.7.

Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness

 

47

 

Section 15.8.

Subordination May Not Be Impaired

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture

 

 

 

iii




THIS INDENTURE, dated as of December 19, 2002, between Foothill Independent Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America, as debenture trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2032 (the “Debentures”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the execution and authentication, delivery and administration thereof, and the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;

NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:

In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Debentures by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debentures as follows:

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.     Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the time of any computation. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Additional Interest” means interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Debentures the payment of which has not been made on the applicable Interest Payment Date and which shall accrue at the Interest Rate, compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by law).

Additional Junior Indebtedness” means, without duplication and other than the Debentures, any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, under debt securities (or guarantees in respect of debt securities) initially issued after the date of this Indenture to any trust, or a trustee of a trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is, directly or indirectly, a finance subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) or other financing vehicle of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with the issuance by that entity of preferred securities or other securities that are eligible to qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or, if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the Additional Junior Indebtedness as Tier 1 capital shall not disqualify it as Additional Junior Indebtedness if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve now or may hereafter

1




accord Tier 1 capital treatment (including the Debentures) in excess of the amount which may qualify for treatment as Tier 1 capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines.

Additional Sums” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Authenticating Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of the Company.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Hartford, Connecticut are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.

Capital Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

Capital Securities Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement that the Company enters into with State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as guarantee trustee, or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of the Trust.

Capital Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Debentures as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Debentures as Tier 1 Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital

2




adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

Certificate” means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company.

Common Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Capital Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

Company” means Foothill Independent Bancorp, a Delaware corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall include its successors and assigns.

Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Debenture” or “Debentures” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.

Debenture Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5.

Declaration” means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Distribution Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 5.1, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of bank holding companies.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented, or both.

Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the Declaration.

Interest Payment Date” means each March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 during the term of this Indenture.

3




Interest Rate” means for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003 the rate per annum of 4.66% and for each Distribution Period thereafter, the Coupon Rate.

Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion will be considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

Liquidation Amount” means the stated amount of $1,000.00 per Trust Security.

Maturity Date” means December 26, 2032.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Managing Director or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

OTS” means the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of savings and loan holding companies.

The term “outstanding,” when used with reference to Debentures, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except:

(a)       Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b)       Debentures, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that, if such Debentures, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Section 10.3 or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c)       Debentures paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debentures are held by bona fide holders in due course.

4




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

Predecessor Security” of any particular Debenture means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture; and, for purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered under Section 2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture.

Principal Office of the Trustee,” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.

Securityholder,” “holder of Debentures,” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debenture is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.

Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement; (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, any banker’s acceptance, any security purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or other transaction; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) any Additional Junior Indebtedness, (2) Debentures issued pursuant to this Indenture and guarantees in respect of such Debentures, (3) trade accounts payable of the Company arising in the ordinary course of business (such trade accounts payable being pari passu in right of payment to the Debentures), or (4) obligations with respect to which (a) in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to

5




which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are pari passu, junior or otherwise not superior in right of payment to the Debentures and (b) the Company, prior to the issuance thereof, has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve (if the Company is a bank holding company) or the OTS (if the Company is a savings and loan holding company). Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

Special Event” means any of a Capital Treatment Event, an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.

Special Redemption Date’’ has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

Special Redemption Price” means (i) 107.5% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed on a Special Redemption Date that occurs before December 26, 2007 and (ii) 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed on a Special Redemption Date that occurs on December 26, 2007 or after, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.

Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests of which shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an “Administrative Action”)) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Company or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Telerate Page 3750” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

6




Trust” shall mean Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I, a Connecticut statutory trust, or any other similar trust created for the purpose of issuing Capital Securities in connection with the issuance of Debentures under this Indenture, of which the Company is the sponsor.

Trust Securities” means Common Securities and Capital Securities of the Trust.

Trustee” means State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder.

ARTICLE II.
DEBENTURES

Section 2.1.     Authentication and Dating. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Debentures in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $8,248,000.00 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, the President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Vice Presidents without any further action by the Company hereunder. In authenticating such Debentures, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a)       a copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, as the case may be; and

(b)       an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.6 which shall also state:

(1)       that such Debentures, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and other statutory or decisional laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or the reorganization of financial institutions (including, without limitation, preference and fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws), heretofore or hereafter enacted or in effect, affecting the rights of creditors generally; and

(2)       that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debentures have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of the Debentures by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debentures under this Section if the Trustee, being advised in writing by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.

The definitive Debentures shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debentures, as evidenced by their execution of such Debentures.

7




Section 2.2.     Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debentures shall be in substantially the following form:

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

State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Trustee

By

 

 

 

Authorized Signer

 

Section 2.3.     Form and Denomination of Debentures. The Debentures shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Debentures shall be in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of the Debentures in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000.00 shall be deemed to be voided and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Debentures for any purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Debentures, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Debentures. The Debentures shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

Section 2.4.     Execution of Debentures. The Debentures shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents. Only such Debentures as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized signer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debentures nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debentures had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

Every Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.5.     Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures. The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in Section 3.2, a register (the “Debenture Register”) for the Debentures issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all Debentures as in this Article II provided. The Debenture Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

8




Debentures to be exchanged may be surrendered at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. Registration or registration of transfer of any Debenture by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed pursuant to Section 3.2, and delivery of such Debenture, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of transfer of such Debenture.

All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

The Company or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debenture for a period of 15 days next preceding the date of selection of Debentures for redemption.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debentures may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth below, unless otherwise determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS

9




SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Section 2.6.     Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures. In case any Debenture shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute, and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to

10




the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debenture which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any such Debenture is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.7.     Temporary Debentures. Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Debentures that are typed, printed or lithographed. Temporary Debentures shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are issued but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debentures a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive Debentures. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor except that in case of any such exchange involving a registration of transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.8.     Payment of Interest and Additional Interest. Interest at the Interest Rate and any Additional Interest on any Debenture that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debentures shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment except that interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Maturity Date

11




shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid. In the event that any Debenture or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Debenture will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Debenture.

Each Debenture shall bear interest for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003 at a rate per annum of 4.66%, and shall bear interest for each successive period beginning on (and including) March 26, 2003, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Period”) at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described in Section 2.10, plus 3.25% (the “Coupon Rate”); provided, however, that prior to December 26, 2007, the Coupon Rate shall not exceed 11.75%, applied to the principal amount thereof, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest at the Interest Rate compounded quarterly. Interest shall be payable (subject to any relevant Extension Period) quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with the first installment of interest to be paid on March 26, 2003.

Any interest on any Debenture, including Additional Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 25 days prior to the date of the proposed payment of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debenture and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at its address as it appears in the Debenture Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.

The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Debentures in any other lawful manner after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment method; provided, however, the Trustee in its sole discretion deems such payment method to be practical.

Any interest scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring during an Extension Period shall not be Defaulted Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the terms of such Debentures.

12




The term “regular record date” as used in this Section shall mean the close of business on the 15th day next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Debenture delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debenture shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Debenture.

Section 2.9.     Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc. All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debentures canceled by any Authenticating Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debentures unless the Company otherwise directs the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.10.     Computation of Interest. The amount of interest payable for the Distribution Period commencing on March 26, 2003 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Interest Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period and multiplying each such amount by the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on the Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

(a)       “3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority:

(1)       the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below). “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;

(2)       if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

13




(3)       if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

(4)       if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.

If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

(b)       The Coupon Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

(c)       “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.

(d)       The Trustee shall notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee and any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which the Capital Securities are listed, of the Coupon Rate and the Determination Date for each Distribution Period, in each case as soon as practicable after the determination thereof but in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day of the relevant Distribution Period. Failure to notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee or any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, or any defect in said notice, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to make payment on the Debentures at the applicable Coupon Rate. Any error in the calculation of the Coupon Rate by the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered as above provided. Upon the request of a holder of a Debenture, the Trustee shall provide the Coupon Rate then in effect and, if determined, the Coupon Rate for the next Distribution Period.

(e)       Subject to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of interest on the Debentures and distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee will (in the absence of willful default, bad faith and manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the Trust, the Company and all of the holders of the Debentures and the Capital Securities, and no liability shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith or manifest error) attach to the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by either of them or their respective powers, duties and discretion.

Section 2.11.     Extension of Interest Payment Period. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable and no such deferral of interest payments shall constitute an Event of Default. No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon);

14




provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) or (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors, consultants or independent contractors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date and no such extension shall constitute an Event of Default. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period at least 5 Business Days prior to the regular record date (as such term is used in Section 2.8) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period. The Trustee shall give notice of the Company’s election to begin a new Extension Period to the Securityholders.

Section 2.12.      CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debentures may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debentures or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debentures, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

15




ARTICLE III.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 3.1.     Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures.

(a)       The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest and any Additional Interest on the Debentures at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Debentures. Each installment of interest on the Debentures may be paid (i) by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debentures entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company if a request for a wire transfer has not been received by the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking institution located in the United States designated in writing by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

(b)       The Company will treat the Debentures as indebtedness, and the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debentures as interest, for all United States federal income tax purposes. All payments in respect of such Debentures will be made free and clear of United States withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W8 BEN (or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-United States status for United States federal income tax purposes.

(c)       As of the date of this Indenture, the Company has no present intention to exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period.

(d)       As of the date of this Indenture, the Company believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period at any time during which the Debentures are outstanding is remote because of the restrictions that would be imposed on the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or distributions on, or to redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding equity and on the Company’s ability to make any payments of principal of or interest on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu in all respects with (or junior in interest to) the Debentures.

Section 3.2.     Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in Hartford, Connecticut, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.5, such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in Hartford, Connecticut, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal Office of the Trustee.

In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Hartford, Connecticut, where the Debentures may be presented for

16




registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in Hartford, Connecticut, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

Section 3.3.     Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 3.4.     Provision as to Paying Agent.

(a)       If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,

(1)       that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debentures) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures;

(2)       that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3)       that it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.

(b)       If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or interest so becoming due and will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall become due and payable.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for the Debentures, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.

(c)       Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Debentures, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

(d)       Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject to Sections 12.3 and 12.4.

17




Section 3.5.     Certificate to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, so long as Debentures are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default during such fiscal year by the Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature and status thereof.

Section 3.6.     Additional Sums. If and for so long as the Trust is the holder of all Debentures and the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Sums”) on the Debentures as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts the Trust would have received if no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges had been imposed. Whenever in this Indenture or the Debentures there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest on the Debentures, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of payments of the Additional Sums provided for in this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; provided, however, that the deferral of the payment of interest during an Extension Period pursuant to Section 2.11 shall not defer the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due and payable.

Section 3.7.     Compliance with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.

Section 3.8.     Limitation on Dividends. If Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or

18




exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).

Section 3.9.     Covenants as to the Trust. For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities. The Company, as owner of the Common Securities, shall, except in connection with a distribution of Debentures to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debentures.

Section 3.10.     Additional Junior Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and it shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, incur, issue or be obligated on any Additional Junior Indebtedness, either directly or indirectly, by way of guarantee, suretyship or otherwise, other than Additional Junior Indebtedness (i) that, by its terms, is expressly stated to be either junior and subordinate or pari passu in all respects to the Debentures, and (ii) of which the Company has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve, if the Company is a bank holding company, or the OTS, if the Company is a savings and loan holding company.

ARTICLE IV.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 4.1.     Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or caused to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a)       on each regular record date for the Debentures, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of the Debentures as of such record date; and

(b)       at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

except that no such lists need be furnished under this Section 4.1 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debenture registrar.

Section 4.2.     Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a)       The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Debentures registrar

19




(if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b)       In case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least 6 months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debentures with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debentures and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(1)       afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, or

(2)       inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the holders of all Debentures, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

(c)       Each and every holder of Debentures, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).

ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 5.1.     Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or

20




involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a)       the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture when it becomes due and payable, and fails to cure such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or

(b)       the Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or

(c)       the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its material covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of the Debentures established as contemplated in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d)       a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(e)       the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or

(f)        the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence except in connection with (i) the distribution of the Debentures to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debentures and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the

21




Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Additional Interest) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6, and if any and all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Debentures which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein — then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 5.2.     Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debentures for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with Additional Interest accrued on the Debentures (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect thereof); and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise,

(i)                       to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debentures and, in case of any judicial proceedings,

22




(ii)                    to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6), and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Debentures in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings,

(iii)                 to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and

(iv)                to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses.

Any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Debentures, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Debentures parties to any such proceedings.

Section 5.3.     Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Debentures in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6;

Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;

23




Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Debentures for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debentures, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Debentures for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

Fourth: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 5.4.     Proceedings by Securityholders. No holder of any Debenture shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debenture to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Debenture when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing itself of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Section 5.5.     Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 5.6.     Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6, all powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to the Debentures, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debentures to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or any Securityholder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any

24




such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Securityholder may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under Section 6.1 hereof) or by such holder, as the case may be.

Section 5.7.     Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such Debentures; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

Section 5.8.     Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Debenture Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debentures known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders.

Section 5.9.     Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess

25




reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.

ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1.     Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of Debentures issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, with respect to the Debentures, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a)       prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred

(1)       the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debentures shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, and

(2)       in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b)       the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(c)       the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.7, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the

26




exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 6.2.     Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:

(a)       the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)       any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c)       the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d)       the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e)       the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

(f)        the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;

(g)       the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and

(h)       with the exceptions of defaults under Sections 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debentures unless a

27




written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any holder of the Debentures.

Section 6.3.     No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures (except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the proceeds of any Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 6.4.     Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debenture registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Debenture registrar.

Section 6.5.     Moneys to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Managing Director, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.

Section 6.6.     Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct. For purposes of clarification, this Section 6.6 does not contemplate the payment by the Company of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustee pursuant to the services to be provided by the Trustee under this Indenture or the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture. The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debentures.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.l(d), Section 5.l(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and

28




expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.

Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or any Debenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to advance funds to pay any principal of or interest on or other amounts with respect to the Debentures or otherwise advance funds to or on behalf of the Company.

Section 6.7.     Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 6.8.     Eligibility of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or whose obligations under this Indenture are guaranteed by an affiliate having) a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00) and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.8 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent records of condition so published.

The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.

In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.9.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of §310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner described by this Indenture.

Section 6.9.     Resignation or Removal of Trustee

(a)       The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any

29




Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(b)       In case at any time any of the following shall occur —

(1)       the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months, or

(2)       the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

(3)       the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint successor Trustee.

(c)       Upon prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee unless within 10 Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case, or in the case of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.9 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor.

(d)       Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.

Section 6.10.     Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.9 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money

30




held by such retiring Trustee thereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.

If a successor Trustee is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debentures as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 6.8.

In no event shall a retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

Section 6.11.     Succession by Merger, etc. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debentures or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debentures in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 6.12.     Authenticating Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Debentures issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debentures; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the

31




authentication and delivery of Debentures. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.00 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debentures by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debentures as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Debenture Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.

The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.

ARTICLE VII.
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 7.1.     Action by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b)by the record of such holders of Debentures voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d) by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its

32




option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such Debentures for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debentures have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 6 months after the record date.

Section 7.2.     Proof of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture Register or by a certificate of the Debenture registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

The record of any Securityholders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.6.

Section 7.3.     Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.

Section 7.4.     Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debentures which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debentures and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

33




Section 7.5.     Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) or any holder as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) of a Debenture (or any Debenture issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debenture (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debenture). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE VIII.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 8.1.     Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:

(a)       to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;

(b)       to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;

(c)       to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or

(d)       to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Debentures under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 8.2.     Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section 8.1, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debentures affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debentures Register and, if the Company is not a holder of Debentures, to the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Section 8.3.     Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.2.

34




Section 8.4.     Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Debentures with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debentures. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 8.5.     Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, at any meeting each holder of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 8.6.     Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Debentures held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.2. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debentures voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Section 8.7.     Quorum; Actions. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request,

35




demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Securityholders, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be given only once not less than 5 days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding; provided, however, that, except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debentures duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1.     Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without having to obtain the consent of the Securityholders or the consent of the holders of the Capital Securities, for one or more of the following purposes:

(a)       to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;

(b)       to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of Debentures as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debentures, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant restriction or condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may

36




provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;

(c)       to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures;

(d)       to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debentures, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange, registration or transfer of Debentures, including to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the Capital Securities as required by Section 2.5 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debentures is required under the Securities Act); provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso, that transfer restrictions on Debentures substantially similar to those that were applicable to Capital Securities shall not be deemed to materially adversely affect the holders of the Debentures);

(e)       to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debentures and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;

(f)        to make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or

(g)       to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debentures.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

Section 9.2.     Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the

37




Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the Debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the consent of the Securityholder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3.     Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 9.4.     Notation on Debentures. Debentures authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding.

Section 9.5.     Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.6, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX. The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.

38




ARTICLE X.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 10.1.     Optional Redemption. The Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS), to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any March 26, June 26, September 26 or December 26 on or after December 26, 2007 (the “Redemption Date”), at the Redemption Price.

Section 10.2.     Special Event Redemption. If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the “Special Redemption Date”) at the Special Redemption Price.

Section 10.3.     Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Debentures, it shall cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date to the holders of Debentures so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debenture Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debenture.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the CUSIP number, if any, of the Debentures to be redeemed, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Redemption Price or the Special Redemption Price, as applicable, at which Debentures are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Debentures to be redeemed. In case the Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable.

If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.

39




Section 10.4.     Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.3, the Debentures or portions of Debentures with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, together with interest accrued to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debentures at the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Debentures or portions of Debentures so called for redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debentures at a place of payment specified in said notice, such Debentures or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable.

Upon presentation of any Debenture redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debenture so presented.

ARTICLE XI
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 11.1.     Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property or capital stock of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided. however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation, merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property or capital stock.

Section 11.2.     Successor Entity to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Debentures. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue in its own name, any or all of the Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Debentures which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the

40




Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Debentures which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Debentures had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Section 11.3.     Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.5, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article XI complies with the provisions of this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 12.1.     Discharge of Indenture. When

(a)                    the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) and not theretofore canceled, or

(b)                   all the Debentures not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within 1 year or are to be called for redemption within 1 year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debentures (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.4, or (2) paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws,

and if in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9 and 12.4 hereof shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6 and 12.4 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debentures.

Section 12.2.     Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent

41




(including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Debentures for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, and premium, if any, and interest.

Section 12.3.     Paving Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debentures (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

Section 12.4.     Return of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debentures and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debentures for 2 years after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debentures, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall, subject to applicable escheatment laws, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debentures shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

ARTICLE XIII.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.1.     Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.

ARTICLE XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 14.1.     Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 14.2.     Official Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

Section 14.3.     Surrender of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.

42




Section 14.4.     Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made, furnished or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on or to the Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, 675 West Terrace Drive, San Dimas, California 91773, Attention: Carol Ann Graf. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 Attention: Vice President, Corporate Trust Department, with a copy to State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 778, Boston, Massachusetts 02102-0778, Attention: Paul D. Allen, Corporate Trust Department. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand on or to any Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the address set forth in the Debenture Register.

Section 14.5.     Governing Law. This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

Section 14.6.     Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 14.7.     Non-Business Days. In any case where the date of payment of interest on or principal of the Debentures will be a day that is not a Business Day, the payment of such interest on or principal of the Debentures need not be made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the original date of payment, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

Section 14.8.     Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

43




Section 14.9.     Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 14.10.     Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Debentures, but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

Section 14.11.     Assignment. The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto.

Section 14.12.     Acknowledgment of Rights. The Company agrees that, with respect to any Debentures held by the Trust or the Institutional Trustee of the Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of the Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of Debentures held as the assets of such Trust after the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such Trust have so directed such Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee’s rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium, if any) or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest (or premium, if any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company agrees that a holder of record of Capital Securities of the Trust may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures.

ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

Section 15.1.     Agreement to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all Debentures shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 15.2.     Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on

44




any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or canceled, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.2, such payment shall, subject to Section 15.7, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Section 15.3.     Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures. Upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company, or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article XV, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is

45




subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article XI of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article XI of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.2 or in this Section shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6 of this Indenture.

Section 15.4.     Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures shall be paid in full. For the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debentures be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.5.     Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder’s behalf to

46




take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 15.6.     Notice by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least 2 Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within 2 Business Days prior to such date.

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

Section 15.7.     Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

47




Section 15.8.     Subordination May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debentures to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, and any other Person.

Section 15.9.     Debt of Subsidiaries; No Limitation on Senior Debt. Each Securityholder, by such Securityholder’s acceptance of a Debenture or Debentures, whether on original issue or upon transfer or assignment, agrees that: (i) the right of the Company to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its Subsidiaries upon any such Subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that Subsidiary, except to the extent the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that Subsidiary and, accordingly, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities issued pursuant hereto shall be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company’s Subsidiaries, and holders of the Debentures shall look only to the assets of the Company for payments hereunder; and (ii) this Indenture does not and shall not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured Debt by the Company, including Senior Debt of the Company, however such debt, including Senior Debt, may be evidenced.

Signatures appear on the following page

48




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Carol Ann Graf

 

 

 

 

Name: Carol Ann Graf

 

 

 

Title: Sr. VP - CFO & Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF
CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

 

 

Name: Paul D. Allen

 

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

49




EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH

A-1-1




PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture

of

Foothill Independent Bancorp

December 19, 2002

Foothill Independent Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (the “Company” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received promises to pay to State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Institutional Trustee for Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I (the “Holder”) or registered assigns, the principal sum of eight million two hundred forty eight thousand dollars ($8,248,000.00) on December 26, 2032, and to pay interest on said principal sum from December 19, 2002, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year commencing March 26, 2003, at an annual rate equal to 4.66% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) March 26, 2003, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 3.25% (the “Coupon Rate”); provided, however, that prior to December 26, 2007, the Coupon Rate shall not exceed 11.75%, applied to the principal amount hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment, and on any overdue principal and (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest at the same rate per annum, compounded quarterly, from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period

A-1-2




concerned divided by 360. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Debenture is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be fifteen days prior to the day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs. Any such interest installment not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.

The Coupon Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

A-1-3




The principal of and interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register if a request for a wire transfer by such holder has not been received by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Trustee.

So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable. No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to engage in any of the activities or transactions described on the reverse side hereof and in the Indenture. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period at least 5 Business Days prior to the regular record date (as such term is used in Section 2.8 of the Indenture) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period.

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

This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

A-1-4




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this certificate.

 

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 Name:

 

 

 

 Title:

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 Authorized Officer

 

A-1-5




 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]

This Debenture is one of the floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to the Indenture dated as of December 19, 2002 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and the Trustee, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal amount as specified in the Indenture.

Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event prior to December 26, 2007, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event, at the Special Redemption Price.

In addition, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after December 26, 2007, at the Redemption Price.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable.

If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.

In case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures shall become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to

A-1-6




waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, on this Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

The Company has agreed that if Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any

A-1-7




cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).

The Debentures are issuable only in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions and limitations as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Debenture is transferable by the holder hereof on the Debenture Register of the Company. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2 of the Indenture, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.

Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Debenture shall have the meanings assigned in the Indenture dated as of the date of original issuance of this Debenture between the Trustee and the Company.

THE INDENTURE AND THE DEBENTURES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

A-1-8




FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of May 9, 2006 is by and among U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association), a national banking association (herein, together with its successors in trust, the “Trustee”) and FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP (the “Successor Company”), a California corporation and the successor by merger with FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP (the “Existing Issuer”), a Delaware corporation and the “Company” under the Indenture referred to below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Trustee and the Successor Company hereby agree as follows:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

WHEREAS, the Trustee and the Existing Issuer are parties to that certain Indenture dated as of December 19, 2002 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Existing Issuer issued $8,248,000 of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2032;

WHEREAS, as permitted by Section 11.1 of the Indenture, the Existing Issuer has, simultaneously with the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, merged (referred to herein as the “Transaction”) with and into the Successor Company, with the Successor Company as the surviving corporation;

WHEREAS, Section 11.2 of the Indenture provides that in the case of any transaction in accordance with Section 11.1, and upon such assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Existing Issuer with the same effect as if the Successor Company had been named in the Indenture, and the Existing Issuer shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation under the Indenture or upon the Debentures;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are entering into this First Supplemental Indenture pursuant to, and in accordance with, Sections 9.1 and 11. 1 of the Indenture to evidence the succession of the Successor Company to the Existing Issuer and the assumption by the Successor Company of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to amend or supplement the Indenture in these circumstances without notice to or consent of the Securityholders or the consent of the holders of the Capital Securities, to evidence the succession of another Person to the Existing Issuer and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer.




NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and pursuant to Section 9.1(a) of the Indenture, the undersigned parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.         Definitions.  All capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the respective meanings assigned them in the Indenture except as otherwise provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 2.         Interpretation.  (a) In this first Supplemental Indenture, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

(i)            the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;

(ii)           reference to any gender includes the other gender;

(iii)          the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision;

(iv)          reference to any Person includes such Persons’ successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually provided that nothing in this clause (iv) is intended to authorize any assignment not otherwise permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture;

(v)           reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof, as well as any substitution or replacement therefore and reference to any note includes modifications thereof and any note issued in extension or renewal thereof or in substitution or replacement therefore;

(vi)          reference to any Section means such Section of this First Supplemental Indenture; and

(vii)         the word “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term.

(b)           No provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be interpreted or construed against any Person because that Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

SECTION 3.         Assumption of Obligations.  (a)        Pursuant to, and in compliance and




accordance with, Section 11.1 of the Indenture, the Successor Company hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, and any Additional Interest and Additional Sums with respect to, all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every covenant and condition of the Company under the Indenture, all as if the Successor Company were the Company thereunder.

(b)           Pursuant to Section 11.2 of the Indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if the Successor Company had originally been the Company under the Indenture.

SECTION 4.         Representations and Warranties.  The Successor Company represents and warrants that (a) it has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture and to perform the Indenture, (b) that it is the successor by merger of the Existing Issuer pursuant to a valid merger effected in accordance with applicable law and (c) that it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California.

SECTION 5.         Conditions of Effectiveness.

(a)           This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective at the effective time of the Transaction following executions of the Trustee and the Successor Company of counterparts of this First Supplemental Indenture.

(b)           The Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Transaction and this First Supplemental Indenture comply with Article IX of the Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to it, to the effect that the Transaction and the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture is permitted by and is effected in compliance with the Indenture.

SECTION 6.         Reference to the Indenture.  (a) Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “herein” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(b)           Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, all references in each of the Debentures, and in the other documents and instruments executed in connection therewith, to the Indenture, including each term defined by reference to the Indenture, shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture or such term, as the case may be, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(c)           The Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the amendment and supplement referred to above, shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

(d)           If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under the Trust




Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this First Supplemental Indenture, the latter provision shall control.  If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this First Supplemental Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 7.         Execution in Counterparts.  This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 8.         Governing Law; Binding Effect.  This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 9.         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 the due execution thereof by the Successor Company.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for the correctness of the recitals of fact contained herein.

SECTION 10.       Notices.  From the effective date hereof, the following shall be the address for notices to the Company under Section 14.4 of the Indenture:

First Community Bancorp

120 Wilshire Boulevard

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Attention: Jared M. Wolff, Esq., Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Telephone: (310) 458-1531

Facsimile: (310) 451-4555

[Signatures begin on following page]




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be executed and effective as of the date first stated herein, by their respective offices thereunto duly authorized.

THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY:

 

 

 

FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Victor R. Santoro

 

 

Name: Victor R. Santoro

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief

 

         Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

THE TRUSTEE:

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as
successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust
Company of Connecticut, National Association)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

Name: Paul D. Allen

 

Title: Vice President

 



EX-4.7 3 a07-4181_1ex4d7.htm EX-4.7

Exhibit 4.7

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.
as Issuer

INDENTURE

Dated as of March 23, 2000

THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Trustee

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Parties

 

1

Recitals

 

1

Authorization of Indenture

 

1

Compliance with Legal Requirements

 

1

Purpose of and Consideration for Indenture

 

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.01.  Definitions

 

1

Additional Interest

 

1

Affiliate

 

1

Authenticating Agent

 

2

Bankruptcy Law

 

2

Board of Directors

 

2

Board Resolution

 

2

Business Day

 

2

Capital Securities

 

2

Capital Securities Guarantee

 

2

Capital Treatment Event

 

2

Certificate

 

2

Common Securities

 

2

Company

 

3

Comparable Treasury Issue

 

3

Comparable Treasury Price

 

3

Custodian

 

3

Debt Security or Debt Securities

 

3

Debt Security Register

 

3

Declaration

 

3

Default

 

3

Defaulted Interest

 

3

Deferred Interest

 

3

Event of Default

 

3

Extension Period

 

3

Federal Reserve

 

3

Finance Subsidiary

 

3

Indenture

 

4

Institutional Trustee

 

4

Interest Payment Date

 

4

Interest Rate

 

4

Investment Company Event

 

4

Liquidation Amount

 

4

Maturity Date

 

4

 

i




 

Officers’ Certificate

 

4

Opinion of Counsel

 

4

outstanding

 

4

Person

 

5

Predecessor Security

 

5

Primary Treasury Dealer

 

5

Principal Office of the Trustee

 

5

Quotation Agent

 

5

Redemption Date

 

5

Reference Treasury Dealer

 

6

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations

 

6

Remaining Life

 

6

Responsible Officer

 

6

Securityholder, holder of Debt Securities

 

6

Senior Indebtedness

 

6

Special Event

 

7

Special Redemption Date

 

7

Special Redemption Price

 

7

Subsidiary

 

7

Tax Event

 

7

Treasury Rate

 

8

The Trust

 

8

Trust Indenture Act

 

8

Trust Securities

 

8

Trustee

 

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.  Authentication and Dating

 

9

SECTION 2.02.  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

 

9

SECTION 2.03.  Form and Denomination of Debt Securities

 

10

SECTION 2.04.  Execution of Debt Securities

 

10

SECTION 2.05.  Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debt Securities

 

11

SECTION 2.06.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities

 

12

SECTION 2.07.  Temporary Debt Securities

 

13

SECTION 2.08.  Payment of Interest

 

13

SECTION 2.09.  Cancellation of Debt Securities Paid, etc.

 

15

SECTION 2.10.  Computation of Interest

 

15

SECTION 2.11.  Extension of Interest Payment Period

 

15

SECTION 2.12.  CUSIP Numbers

 

16

 

ii




 

ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 3.01.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debt Securities and the Capital Securities

 

16

SECTION 3.02.  Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.

 

17

SECTION 3.03.  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

 

18

SECTION 3.04.  Provision as to Paying Agent

 

18

SECTION 3.05.  Certificate to Trustee

 

19

SECTION 3.06.  Additional Sums

 

19

SECTION 3.07.  Compliance with Consolidation Provisions

 

19

SECTION 3.08.  Limitation on Dividends

 

19

SECTION 3.09.  Covenants as to the Trust

 

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.  Securityholders’ Lists

 

20

SECTION 4.02.  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

 

21

 

 

 

ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.  Events of Default

 

22

SECTION 5.02.  Payment of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor

 

24

SECTION 5.03.  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee

 

25

SECTION 5.04.  Proceedings by Securityholders

 

26

SECTION 5.05.  Proceedings by Trustee

 

26

SECTION 5.06.  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing

 

26

SECTION 5.07.  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders.

 

27

SECTION 5.08.  Notice of Defaults

 

27

SECTION 5.09.  Undertaking to Pay Costs

 

28

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

 

28

SECTION 6.02.  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

 

29

SECTION 6.03.  No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

 

30

SECTION 6.04.  Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debt Securities

 

30

SECTION 6.05.  Moneys to be Held in Trust

 

31

SECTION 6.06.  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

 

31

SECTION 6.07.  Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

 

32

 

iii




 

SECTION 6.08.  Eligibility of Trustee

 

32

SECTION 6.09.  Resignation or Removal of Trustee

 

32

SECTION 6.10.  Acceptance by Successor Trustee

 

34

SECTION 6.11.  Succession by Merger, etc.

 

35

SECTION 6.12.  Authenticating Agents

 

35

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.  Action by Securityholders

 

36

SECTION 7.02.  Proof of Execution by Securityholders

 

37

SECTION 7.03.  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners

 

37

SECTION 7.04.  Debt Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding

 

37

SECTION 7.05.  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound

 

38

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.  Purposes of Meetings

 

38

SECTION 8.02.  Call of Meetings by Trustee

 

39

SECTION 8.03.  Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders

 

39

SECTION 8.04.  Qualifications for Voting

 

39

SECTION 8.05.  Regulations

 

39

SECTION 8.06.  Voting

 

40

SECTION 8.07.  Quorum; Actions

 

40

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.  Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders

 

41

SECTION 9.02.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders

 

42

SECTION 9.03.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures

 

43

SECTION 9.04.  Notation on Debt Securities

 

44

SECTION 9.05.  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee

 

44

 

 

 

ARTICLE X
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.  Optional Redemption

 

44

SECTION 10.02.  Special Event Redemption

 

44

SECTION 10.03.  Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities

 

45

SECTION 10.04.  Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption

 

45

 

iv




 

ARTICLE XI
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.  Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

 

46

SECTION 11.02.  Successor Entity to be Substituted

 

46

SECTION 11.03.  Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee

 

47

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01.  Discharge of Indenture

 

47

SECTION 12.02.  Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee

 

48

SECTION 12.03.  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held

 

48

SECTION 12.04.  Return of Unclaimed Moneys

 

48

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

 

 

SECTION 13.01.  Indenture and Debt Securities Solely Corporate Obligations

 

48

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 14.01.  Successors

 

49

SECTION 14.02.  Official Acts by Successor Entity

 

49

SECTION 14.03.  Surrender of Company Powers

 

49

SECTION 14.04.  Addresses for Notices, etc.

 

49

SECTION 14.05.  Governing Law

 

50

SECTION 14.06.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

 

50

SECTION 14.07.  Non-Business Days

 

50

SECTION 14.08.  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

50

SECTION 14.09.  Execution in Counterparts

 

50

SECTION 14.10.  Separability

 

51

SECTION 14.11.  Assignment

 

51

SECTION 14.12.  Acknowledgment of Rights

 

51

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 

SECTION 15.01.  Agreement to Subordinate

 

51

SECTION 15.02.  Default on Senior Indebtedness

 

52

SECTION 15.03.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy

 

52

SECTION 15.04.  Subrogation

 

53

SECTION 15.05.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination

 

54

SECTION 15.06.  Notice by the Company

 

54

 

v




 

SECTION 15.07.  Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness

 

55

SECTION 15.08.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired

 

56

 

vi




THIS INDENTURE, dated as of March 23, 2000, between Community Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware (hereinafter sometimes called the “Company”), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (hereinafter sometimes called the “Trustee”),

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 11% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2030 (the “Debt Securities”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the execution and authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;

NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:

In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debt Securities as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Definitions

The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

“Additional Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.06.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with the specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

1




“Authenticating Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of the Company.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.

“Capital Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of Community (CA) Capital Trust I which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by Community (CA) Capital Trust I; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

“Capital Securities Guarantee” means, in respect of the guarantee that the Company may enter into with The Bank of New York or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of Community (CA) Capital Trust I.

“Capital Treatment Event” means the reasonable determination by the Company that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Debt Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Debt Securities as “Tier I Capital” (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company.

“Certificate” means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company.

“Common Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of Community (CA) Capital Trust I which rank pari passu with Capital Securities issued by Community (CA) Capital Trust I; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

2




“Company” means Community Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall include its successors and assigns.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means with respect to any Special Redemption Date, the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a period from three months before to three months after March 8, 2010, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities shall be used as the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such securities.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (a) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Special Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.

“Debt Security Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05.

“Declaration” means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Community (CA) Capital Trust I, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08.

“Deferred Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

“Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 5.01, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.

“Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

“Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

“Finance Subsidiary” means a special purpose vehicle created expressly for the purpose of financing the activities of the Company and its subsidiaries.

3




“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented, or both.

“Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the Declaration.

“Interest Payment Date” means each March 8 and September 8 during the term of this Indenture.

“Interest Rate” means 11%.

“Investment Company Event” means the receipt by Community (CA) Capital Trust I of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that Community (CA) Capital Trust I is or will be considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debt Securities.

“Liquidation Amount” means the stated amount of $1,000 per Trust Security.

“Maturity Date” means March 8, 2030.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Managing Director or any Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.06 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.06 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

The term “outstanding,” when used with reference to Debt Securities, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, means, as of any particular time, all Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except

(a)       Debt Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b)       Debt Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided that, if such Debt Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to

4




maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Article Fourteen or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c)       Debt Securities paid pursuant to Section 2.06 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debt Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debt Securities are held by bona fide holders in due course.

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

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Debt Security means every previous Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debt Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security.

“Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary United States Government securities dealer in New York City.

“Principal Office of the Trustee,” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, NY 10286.

“Quotation Agent” means Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. and its successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.

“Redemption Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date that occurs within the twelve-month period beginning in the relevant year indicated below, expressed in percentage of the principal amount of the Debt Securities being redeemed:

Year Beginning

 

Percentage

 

 

 

March 8, 2010

 

 

105.438

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2011

 

 

104.894

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2012

 

 

104.350

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2013

 

 

103.806

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2014

 

 

103.263

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2015

 

 

102.719

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2016

 

 

102.175

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2017

 

 

101.631

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2018

 

 

101.088

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2019

 

 

100.544

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2020 and after

 

 

100.000

 

5




plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date or, in the case of a redemption due to the occurrence of a Special Event, to the Special Redemption Date.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, 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 such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

“Remaining Life” means, with respect to any Debt Security, the period from the Special Redemption Date for such Debt Security to March 8, 2010.

“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Securityholder,” “holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debt Security is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, any banker’s acceptance, any security purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar

6




arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or other transaction; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior or pari passu in right of payment to the Debt Securities, except for (1) any indebtedness between or among the Company and any Finance Subsidiary of the Company, and (2) Debt Securities issued pursuant to this Indenture and guarantees in respect of such Debt Securities. Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

“Special Event” means any of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event.

“Special Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in 10.02.

“Special Redemption Price” means (1) if the Special Redemption Date is before March 8, 2010, the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the Debt Securities being redeemed pursuant to Section 10.02 and (b) as determined by a Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of scheduled payments of principal and interest over the Remaining Life of such Debt Securities, discounted to the Special Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 0.45%, plus, in the case of either (a) or (b), accrued and unpaid interest on such Debt Securities to the Special Redemption Date and (2) if the Special Redemption Date is on or after March 8, 2010, the Redemption Price for such Special Redemption Date.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests of which shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

“Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company and Community (CA) Capital Trust I of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority

7




thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an “Administrative Action”)) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Company or Community (CA) Capital Trust I and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of issuance of the Debt Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) Community (CA) Capital Trust I is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debt Securities; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debt Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) Community (CA) Capital Trust I is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

“Treasury Rate” means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the date of calculation, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated H.I5 (519) or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Special Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Special Redemption Date.

“Trust” means Community (CA) Capital Trust I, the Delaware business trust, or any other similar trust created for the purpose of issuing Capital Securities in connection with the issuance of Debt Securities under this Indenture, of which the Company is the sponsor.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

“Trust Securities” means Common Securities and Capital Securities of Community (CA) Capital Trust I.

“Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder.

8




ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. Authentication and Dating.

Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $10,310,000 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Debt Securities to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman, President or Chief Financial Officer, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Vice Presidents and by its Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, without any further action by the Company hereunder. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a)       a copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company as the case may be; and

(b)       an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.06 which shall also state:

(1)        that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company; and

(2)        that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debt Securities, have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of the Debt Securities by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.

The definitive Debt Securities shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

SECTION 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities shall be in substantially the following form:

9




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

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

SECTION 2.03. Form and Denomination of Debt Securities.

The Debt Securities shall be in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Debt Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

SECTION 2.04. Execution of Debt Securities.

The Debt Securities shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman, President or Chief Financial Officer, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents and by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary, one of its Assistant Secretaries, its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers, under its corporate seal which may be affixed thereto or printed, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon, by facsimile or otherwise, and which need not be attested. Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized officer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debt Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

Every Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

10




SECTION 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debt Securities.

The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in Section 3.02, a register (the “Debt Security Register”) for the Debt Securities issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all Debt Securities as in this Article Two provided. Such register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

Debt Securities to be exchanged may be surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.02, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.02, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security for a like aggregate principal amount. Registration or registration of transfer of any Debt Security by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed pursuant to Section 3.02, and delivery of such Debt Security, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of transfer of such Debt Security.

All Debt Securities presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

The Company or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debt Security for a period of 15 days next preceding the date of selection of Debt Securities for redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Debt Securities may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth below (the “Restrictive Securities Legend”), unless otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED

11




OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (C) OR (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

SECTION 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities

In case any Debt Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute, and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debt Security bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debt Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debt Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Debt Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debt Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of

12




destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any such Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.07. Temporary Debt Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Debt Securities that are typed, printed or lithographed. Temporary Debt Securities shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Debt Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent definitive Debt Securities and thereupon any or all temporary Debt Securities may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.02, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debt Securities a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive Debt Securities. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor except that in case of any such exchange involving a registration of transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debt Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 2.08. Payment of Interest.

Each Debt Security will bear interest at the Interest Rate from and including the original date of issuance of such Debt Security until the Maturity Date, and on any overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) Deferred Interest on any overdue installment of interest (including Defaulted Interest), payable (subject to the provisions of Article XII) on each Interest Payment Date commencing on September 8, 2000. Interest and any Deferred Interest on any Debt Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debt Securities shall be

13




paid to the Person in whose name said Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment except that interest and any Deferred Interest payable on the Maturity Date shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid. In the event that any Debt Security or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Debt Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Security.

Any interest on any Debt Security, other than Deferred Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than fifteen nor less than ten days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than ten days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, not less than ten days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.

Any interest scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring during an Extension Period shall not be Defaulted Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the terms of such Debt Securities.

The term “regular record date” as used in this Section shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Debt Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other

14




Debt Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Debt Security.

SECTION 2.09. Cancellation of Debt Securities Paid, etc.

All Debt Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debt Securities canceled by any Authenticating Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debt Securities unless the Company otherwise directs the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debt Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.10. Computation of Interest.

The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 2.11. Extension of Interest Payment Period.

So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period on the Debt Securities at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debt Securities, for up to ten consecutive semi-annual periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable. No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debt Securities and interest on such accrued interest (such accrued interest and interest thereon referred to herein as “Deferred Interest”) will accrue at the Interest Rate, compounded semi-annually from the date such Deferred Interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, both to the extent permitted by law. No interest or Deferred Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Deferred Interest. At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all Deferred Interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debt Securities; provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; and provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debt Securities (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment

15




or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder’s rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed ten consecutive semi-annual periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date interest on the Debt Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin such Extension Period or (ii) the date such interest is payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date. The Trustee shall give notice of the Company’s election to begin a new Extension Period to the Securityholders.

SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE III
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debt Securities.

(a)       The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Debt Securities. At the option of the Company, each installment of interest on the Debt Securities

16




may be paid (i) by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debt Securities entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking institution located in the United States designated by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record date.

(b)       The Company will treat the Debt Securities as indebtedness, and the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debt Securities as interest, for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. All payments in respect of such Debt Securities will be made free and clear of U.S. withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W8 BEN (or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-U.S. status for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(c)       The Company has no present intention to exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debt Securities by commencing an Extension Period.

(d)       The Company believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debt Securities by commencing an Extension Period at any time during which the Debt Securities are outstanding is remote because of the restrictions that would be imposed on the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or distributions on, or to redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding equity and on the Company’s ability to make any payments of principal of or interest on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu in all respects with (or junior in interest to) the Debt Securities.

SECTION 3.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.

So long as any of the Debt Securities remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in Delaware, an office or agency where the Debt Securities may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.05, such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in Delaware, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee.

In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Delaware, where the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in Delaware, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

17




SECTION 3.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office.

The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 3.04. Provision as to Paying Agent.

(a)       If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.04,

(1)       that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities;

(2)       that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3)       that it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.

(b)       If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or interest so becoming due and will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debt Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities when the same shall become due and payable.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for the Debt Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.

(c)       Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Debt Securities, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

18




(d)       Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.04 is subject to Sections 12.03 and 12.04.

SECTION 3.05. Certificate to Trustee.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year in each year, so long as Debt Securities are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.

SECTION 3.06. Additional Interest.

If and for so long as the Trust is the holder of all Debt Securities and the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay such additional amounts (the “Additional Interest”) on the Debt Securities as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts the Trust would have received if no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges had been imposed. Whenever in this Indenture or the Debt Securities there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest on the Debt Securities, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of payments of the Additional Interest provided for in this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Interest (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made, provided, however, that the deferral of the payment of interest during an Extension Period pursuant to Section 2.11 shall not defer the payment of any Additional Interest that may be due and payable.

SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.

The Company will not, while any of the Debt Securities remain outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.

SECTION 3.08. Limitation on Dividends.

If Debt Securities are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debt Securities continue to be held by such trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing any event that would constitute an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such period, or any

19




extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debt Securities (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder’s rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock).

SECTION 3.09. Covenants as to the Trust.

For so long as such Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities. The Company, as owner of a majority of the Common Securities shall cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with a distribution of Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes and (c) to use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE IV
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.01. Securityholders’ Lists.

The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or caused to be furnished to the Trustee:

20




(a)       on each regular record date for the Debt Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of the Debt Securities as of such record date; and

(b)       at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

except that no such lists need be furnished under this Section 4.01 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debt Security registrar.

SECTION 4.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a)       The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debt Securities (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Debt Securities registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b)       In case three or more holders of Debt Securities (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debt Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debt Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debt Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(1)       afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, or

(2)       inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debt Securities whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder of Debt Securities whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary

21




to the best interests of the holders of all Debt Securities, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

(c)       Each and every holder of Debt Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debt Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.02, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).

ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 5.01. Events of Default.

The following Events of Default shall be “Events of Default” with respect to Debt Securities:

(a)       the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debt Security when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b)       the Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption (including redemption for any sinking fund), by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or

(c)       the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its covenants or agreements in this Sections 3.06, 3.07, 3.08 and 3.09 of this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

22




(d)       a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(e)       the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or

(f)        the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence except in connection with (1) the distribution of the Debt Securities to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in the Trust, (2) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities or (3) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debt Securities, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of the Debt Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debt Securities and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debt Securities shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Debt Securities and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Deferred Interest, to the extent permitted by law) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06, and if any and all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Debt Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein — then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

23




In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debt Securities shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debt Securities shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

SECTION 5.02. Payment of Debt Securities on Default: Suit Therefor.

The Company covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Debt Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of the Debt Securities as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Debt Securities or upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise — then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debt Securities for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, including Deferred Interest accrued on the Debt Securities; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.06. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on such Debt Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on such Debt Securities wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debt Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debt Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.06) and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any

24




other obligor on the Debt Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Debt Securities in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.06.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debt Securities or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debt Securities.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Debt Securities, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Debt Securities parties to any such proceedings.

SECTION 5.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee.

Any moneys collected by the Trustee shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.06;

Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;

Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Debt Securities for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debt Securities, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any

25




kind, according to the amounts due on such Debt Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

Fourth: The balance, if any, to the Company.

SECTION 5.04. Proceedings by Securityholders.

No holder of any Debt Security shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities then outstanding shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; provided, that no holder of Debt Securities shall have any right to prejudice the rights of any other holder of Debt Securities, obtain priority or preference over any other such holder or enforce any right under this Indenture except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debt Securities.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Debt Security when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

SECTION 5.05. Proceedings by Trustee.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

SECTION 5.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debt Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to the Debt Securities, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debt Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to

26




the provisions of Section 5.04, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

SECTION 5.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securitvholders.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such Debt Securities; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of the Debt Securities, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debt Securities waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt Securities, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.09; provided, however, that if the Debt Securities are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debt Securities shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.07, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

SECTION 5.08. Notice of Defaults.

The Trustee shall, within 90 days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received notice or obtained actual knowledge of the occurrence of a default with respect to the Debt Securities, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Debt Security Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debt Securities known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.08 being hereby defined to be the events specified in subsections (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 5.01, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein); provided, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the

27




principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders.

SECTION 5.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debt Securities outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.

ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 6.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.

With respect to the holders of Debt Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, with respect to the Debt Securities, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a)       prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred

(1)       the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debt Securities as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, and

28




(2)       in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b)       the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(c)       the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.07, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

SECTION 6.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:

(a)       the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)       any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c)       the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d)       the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

29




(e)       the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Debt Securities such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

(f)        the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;

(g)       the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and

(h)       the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities or by any holder of the Debt Securities.

SECTION 6.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities (except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debt Securities or the proceeds of any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

SECTION 6.04. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debt Securities.

The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debt Security registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the

30




owner or pledgee of Debt Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Debt Security registrar.

SECTION 6.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust.

Subject to the provisions of Section 12.04, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, a Managing Director, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.

SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.

The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debt Securities.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in subsections (c), (d) or (e) of Section 5.01, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.

31




SECTION 6.07. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence.

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01 and 6.02, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

SECTION 6.08. Eligibility of Trustee.

The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000) and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.08 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent records of condition so published.

The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee; provided, that such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.

In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.08, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.09.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of § 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Indenture.

SECTION 6.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

(a)       The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debt Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any

32




court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security or Debt Securities for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(b)       In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(1)        the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security or Debt Securities for at least six months,

(2)        the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

(3)        the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security or Debt Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint successor Trustee.

(c)       Upon prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee unless within ten Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case or in the case of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.09 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor.

(d)       Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.

33




SECTION 6.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee.

Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.09 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debt Securities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee thereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.06.

If a successor Trustee is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.10 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 6.08.

In no event shall a retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debt Security Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

34




SECTION 6.11. Succession by Merger, etc.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, that such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debt Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

SECTION 6.12. Authenticating Agents.

There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debt Securities; provided, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such

35




successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debt Securities by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debt Securities as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Debt Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debt Securities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.

The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.

ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

SECTION 7.01. Action by Securityholders.

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of such holders of Debt Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d) by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such Debt Securities for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of

36




determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debt Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the outstanding Debt Securities shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

SECTION 7.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders.

Subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01, 6.02 and 8.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Debt Security registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

The record of any Securityholders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.06.

SECTION 7.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debt Security registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debt Security shall be registered upon the Debt Security Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debt Security registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

SECTION 7.04. Debt Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding.

In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debt Securities which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.04 if the pledgee

37




shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

SECTION 7.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound.

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.01) or any holder as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.01) of a Debt Security (or any Debt Security issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debt Security). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Debt Security, and of any Debt Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or any Debt Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

SECTION 8.01. Purposes of Meetings.

A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:

(a)       to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;

(b)       to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;

(c)       to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02; or

(d)       to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

38




SECTION 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee.

The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place in Delaware, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debt Securities affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debt Securities Register. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

SECTION 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders.

In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place in said Borough of Manhattan for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02.

SECTION 8.04. Qualifications for Voting.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Debt Securities with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debt Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

SECTION 8.05. Regulations.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debt Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, at any meeting each holder of Debt Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to

39




one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Debt Securities held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debt Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02 or 8.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 8.06. Voting.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debt Securities with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Debt Securities held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debt Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

SECTION 8.07. Quorum; Actions.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debt Securities, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debt Securities will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Securityholders, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned

40




meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.02, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debt Securities which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso in the first paragraph of Section 9.02, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso in the first paragraph of Section 9.02, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debt Securities may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debt Securities.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debt Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders.

The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

(a)       to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;

(b)       to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of Debt Securities as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;

41




(c)       to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debt Securities;

(d)       to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debt Securities, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange, registration or transfer of Debt Securities, including to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the Capital Securities as required by Section 2.05 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debt Securities is required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended); provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debt Securities then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso, that transfer restrictions on Debt Securities substantially similar to those that were applicable to Capital Securities shall not be deemed to adversely affect the holders of the Debt Securities);

(e)       to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.10;

(f)        to make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or

(g)       to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debt Securities, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debt Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debt Securities.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders.

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture

42




Act, then in effect, applicable to indentures qualified thereunder) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debt Security then outstanding and affected thereby (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debt Securities, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; and provided, further, that if the Debt Securities are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided further, that if the consent of the Securityholder of each outstanding Debt Security is required, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Debt Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 9.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debt Securities shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and

43




amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 9.04. Notation on Debt Securities.

Debt Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debt Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities then outstanding.

SECTION 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.06, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX. The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.

ARTICLE X
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 10.01. Optional Redemption.

At any time the Company shall have the right, subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, to redeem the Debt Securities, in whole or in part, on any March 8 or September 8 on or after March 8, 2010 (the “Redemption Date”), at the Redemption Price.

SECTION 10.02. Special Event Redemption.

If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right, subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, to redeem the Debt Securities, in whole but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the “Special Redemption Date”), at the Special Redemption Price.

44




SECTION 10.03. Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities.

In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities, it shall fix a date for redemption and shall mail a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of Debt Securities so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debt Security Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debt Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price at which Debt Securities are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Debt Securities are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Debt Securities to be redeemed. In case the Debt Securities are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Debt Securities so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.

The Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date as to the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 10.02 above, the Trustee shall, promptly upon receipt of the Treasury Rate from the Quotation Agent, provide the Treasury Rate to Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, on behalf of the holders of the Capital Securities.

SECTION 10.04. Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption.

If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.03, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as the case may be, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debt

45




Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, such Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as the case may be.

Upon presentation of any Debt Security redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debt Security so presented.

ARTICLE XI
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

SECTION 11.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation, merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquire a such property.

SECTION 11.02. Successor Entity to be Substituted.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debt Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Debt Securities. Such successor entity thereupon

46




may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Debt Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

SECTION 11.03. Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.05, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article XI complies with the provisions of this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

SECTION 12.01. Discharge of Indenture.

When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Debt Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.06) and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all the Debt Securities not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debt Securities (other than any Debt Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.06) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.04, or (2) paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, and if in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02,

47




3.04, 6.06, 6.09 and 12.04 hereof shall survive until such Debt Securities shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.09 and 12.04 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture, the Company, however, hereby agreeing to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debt Securities.

SECTION 12.02. Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee.

Subject to the provisions of Section 12.04, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Debt Securities for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, and premium, if any, and interest.

SECTION 12.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held.

Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debt Securities (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

SECTION 12.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys.

Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debt Securities and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debt Securities for two years after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debt Securities shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

ARTICLE XIII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 13.01. Indenture and Debt Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture

48




or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debt Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 14.01. Successors.

All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 14.02. Official Acts by Successor Entity.

Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

SECTION 14.03. Surrender of Company Powers.

The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.

SECTION 14.04. Addresses for Notices, etc.

Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on the Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company at 130 W. Fallbrook Street, Fallbrook, CA 92028, Attention: Thomas E. Swanson, President and Chief Executive Officer. Any notice, direction, request or demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21W, New York, NY 10286 Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.

49




SECTION 14.05. Governing Law.

This Indenture and each Debt Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 14.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.

Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 14.07. Non-Business Days.

In any case where the date of payment of interest on or principal of the Debt Securities will be a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City (in the State of New York) are permitted or required by any applicable law to close, the payment of such interest on or principal of the Debt Securities need not be made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding day not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in such cities are permitted or required by any applicable law to close, with the same force and effect as if made on the date of payment and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

SECTION 14.08. Table of Contents. Headings, etc.

The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 14.09. Execution in Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

50




SECTION 14.10. Separability.

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Debt Securities, but this Indenture and such Debt Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

SECTION 14.1l. Assignment.

The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.

SECTION 14.12. Acknowledgment of Rights.

The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Debt Securities held by the Trust or the Institutional Trustee of the Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of the Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of Debt Securities held as the assets of the Trust after the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of the Trust have so directed such Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may to the fullest extent permitted by law institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee’s rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such Institutional Trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium, if any) or principal on the Debt Securities on the date such interest (or premium, if any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company acknowledges that a holder of record of Capital Securities of the Trust may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the of Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES

SECTION 15.01. Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debt Securities issued hereunder and under any supplemental indenture or by any Board Resolution (the “Additional Provisions”) by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debt Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a

51




Debt Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all Debt Securities issued hereunder and under any Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

SECTION 15.02. Default on Senior Indebtedness.

In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.02, such payment shall, subject to Section 15.06, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 15.03. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company, or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by

52




them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article XV, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the Debt Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (a) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (b) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article IX of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.03 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article IX of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.02 or in this Section 15.03 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06 of this Indenture.

SECTION 15.04. Subrogation.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or

53




distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debt Securities be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Debt Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debt Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debt Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debt Securities and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debt Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

SECTION 15.05. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Securityholder by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION 15.06. Notice by the Company.

The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would

54




prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 15.06 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

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

SECTION 15.07. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to

55




Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06.

SECTION 15.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debt Securities to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, and any other Person.

The Bank of New York hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.

56




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Thomas E. Swanson

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

57




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Annette L. Kos

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

ANNETTE L. KOS

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 




FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of October 26, 2006 is by and among THE BANK OF NEW YORK (the “Trustee”), and FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP (the “Successor Company”), a California corporation and the successor by merger with COMMUNITY BANCORP INC. (the “Existing Issuer”), a Delaware corporation and the “Company” under the Indenture referred to below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Trustee and the Successor Company hereby agree as follows:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

WHEREAS, the Trustee and the Existing Issuer are parties to that certain Indenture dated as of March 23, 2000 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Existing Issuer may issue not in excess of $10,310,000 of its 11% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2030 (the “Debentures”);

WHEREAS, as permitted by Section 11.01 of the Indenture, the Existing Issuer has, simultaneously with the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, merged (referred to herein as the “Transaction”) with and into the Successor Company, with the Successor Company as the surviving corporation;

WHEREAS, Section 11.02 of the Indenture provides that in the case of any transaction in accordance with Section 11.01, and upon such assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Existing Issuer with the same effect as if the Successor Company had been named in the Indenture, and the Existing Issuer shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation under the Indenture or upon the Debentures;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are entering into this First Supplemental Indenture pursuant to, and in accordance with, Sections 9.01 and 11. 01 of the Indenture to evidence the succession of the Successor Company to the Existing Issuer and the assumption by the Successor Company of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to amend or supplement the Indenture in these circumstances without notice to or consent of the Securityholders or the consent of the holders of the Capital Securities, to evidence the succession of another Person to the Existing Issuer and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer.




NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and pursuant to Section 9.01(a) of the Indenture, the undersigned parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.         Definitions.  All capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the respective meanings assigned them in the Indenture except as otherwise provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 2.         Interpretation.  (a) In this first Supplemental Indenture, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

(i)            the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;

(ii)           reference to any gender includes the other gender;

(iii)          the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision;

(iv)          reference to any Person includes such Persons’ successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually provided that nothing in this clause (iv) is intended to authorize any assignment not otherwise permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture;

(v)           reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof, as well as any substitution or replacement therefore and reference to any note includes modifications thereof and any note issued in extension or renewal thereof or in substitution or replacement therefore;

(vi)          reference to any Section means such Section of this First Supplemental Indenture; and

(vii)         the word “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term.

(b)           No provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be interpreted or construed against any Person because that Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

SECTION 3.         Assumption of Obligations.  (a)     Pursuant to, and in compliance and accordance with, Section 11.01 of the Indenture, the Successor Company hereby expressly




assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, and any Deferred Interest and Additional Interest with respect to, all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every covenant and condition of the Company under the Indenture, all as if the Successor Company were the Company thereunder.

(b)           Pursuant to Section 11.02 of the Indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if the Successor Company had originally been the Company under the Indenture.

SECTION 4.         Representations and Warranties.  The Successor Company represents and warrants that (a) it has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture and to perform the Indenture, (b) that it is the successor by merger of the Existing Issuer pursuant to a valid merger effected in accordance with applicable law and (c) that it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California.

SECTION 5.         Conditions of Effectiveness.

(a)           This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective at the effective time of the Transaction following executions of the Trustee and the Successor Company of counterparts of this First Supplemental Indenture.

(b)           The Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Transaction and this First Supplemental Indenture comply with Article IX and Article XI of the Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to it, to the effect that the Transaction and the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture is permitted by and is effected in compliance with the Indenture.

SECTION 6.         Reference to the Indenture.  (a) Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “herein” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(b)           Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, all references in each of the Debentures, and in the other documents and instruments executed in connection therewith, to the Indenture, including each term defined by reference to the Indenture, shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture or such term, as the case may be, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(c)           The Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the amendment and supplement referred to above, shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

(d)           If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this First Supplemental Indenture, the latter




provision shall control.  If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this First Supplemental Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 7.         Execution in Counterparts.  This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 8.         Governing Law; Binding Effect.  This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 9.         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 the due execution thereof by the Successor Company.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for the correctness of the recitals of fact contained herein.

SECTION 10.       Notices.  From the effective date hereof, the following shall be the address for notices to the Company under Section 14.04 of the Indenture:

First Community Bancorp

10250 Constellation Boulevard, Suite 1640

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention: Jared M. Wolff, Esq., Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Telephone: (310) 728-1023

Facsimile: (310) 201-0498

[Signatures begin on following page]




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be executed and effective as of the date first stated herein, by their respective offices thereunto duly authorized.

THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY:

 

 

 

FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Victor R. Santoro

 

 

Name: Victor R. Santoro

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief

 

         Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

THE TRUSTEE:

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

 

as Indenture Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Carlos R. Luciano

 

 

Name: Carlos R. Luciano

 

Title: Vice President

 



EX-4.8 4 a07-4181_1ex4d8.htm EX-4.8

Exhibit 4.8

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.,

as Issuer

INDENTURE

Dated as of September 17, 2003

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES

DUE 2033

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

 

1

 

 

 

Section 1.1.

 

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II. DEBENTURES

 

7

 

 

 

Section 2.1.

 

Authentication and Dating

 

7

Section 2.2.

 

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

 

8

Section 2.3.

 

Form and Denomination of Debentures

 

8

Section 2.4.

 

Execution of Debentures

 

9

Section 2.5.

 

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures

 

9

Section 2.6.

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures

 

11

Section 2.7.

 

Temporary Debentures

 

12

Section 2.8.

 

Payment of Interest and Additional Interest

 

12

Section 2.9.

 

Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc.

 

13

Section 2.10.

 

Computation of Interest

 

13

Section 2.11.

 

Extension of Interest Payment Period

 

15

Section 2.12.

 

CUSIP Numbers

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

16

 

 

 

Section 3.1.

 

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures

 

16

Section 3.2.

 

Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.

 

17

Section 3.3.

 

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

 

17

Section 3.4.

 

Provision as to Paying Agent

 

17

Section 3.5.

 

Certificate to Trustee

 

18

Section 3.6.

 

Additional Sums

 

18

Section 3.7.

 

Compliance with Consolidation Provisions

 

18

Section 3.8.

 

Limitation on Dividends

 

19

Section 3.9.

 

Covenants as to the Trust

 

19

Section 3.10.

 

Additional Junior Indebtedness

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

 

20

 

 

 

Section 4.1.

 

Securityholders’ Lists

 

20

Section 4.2.

 

Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

21

 

 

 

Section 5.1.

 

Events of Default

 

21

Section 5.2.

 

Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor

 

22

Section 5.3.

 

Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee

 

24

Section 5.4.

 

Proceedings by Securityholders

 

24

Section 5.5.

 

Proceedings by Trustee

 

25

Section 5.6.

 

Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver

 

25

 

i




 

Section 5.7.

 

Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders

 

25

Section 5.8.

 

Notice of Defaults

 

26

Section 5.9.

 

Undertaking to Pay Costs

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

26

 

 

 

Section 6.1.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

 

26

Section 6.2.

 

Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

 

27

Section 6.3.

 

No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

 

28

Section 6.4.

 

Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures

 

28

Section 6.5.

 

Moneys to be Held in Trust

 

28

Section 6.6.

 

Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

 

28

Section 6.7.

 

Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

 

29

Section 6.8.

 

Eligibility of Trustee

 

29

Section 6.9.

 

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

 

30

Section 6.10.

 

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

 

31

Section 6.11.

 

Succession by Merger, etc.

 

31

Section 6.12.

 

Authenticating Agents

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

33

 

 

 

Section 7.1.

 

Action by Securityholders

 

33

Section 7.2.

 

Proof of Execution by Securityholders

 

33

Section 7.3.

 

Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners

 

33

Section 7.4.

 

Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding

 

34

Section 7.5.

 

Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

34

 

 

 

Section 8.1.

 

Purposes of Meetings

 

34

Section 8.2.

 

Call of Meetings by Trustee

 

35

Section 8.3.

 

Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders

 

35

Section 8.4.

 

Qualifications for Voting

 

35

Section 8.5.

 

Regulations

 

35

Section 8.6.

 

Voting

 

35

Section 8.7.

 

Quorum; Actions

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

36

 

 

 

Section 9.1.

 

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders

 

36

Section 9.2.

 

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders

 

38

Section 9.3.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

 

38

Section 9.4.

 

Notation on Debentures

 

39

Section 9.5.

 

Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

39

 

 

 

Section 10.1.

 

Optional Redemption

 

39

Section 10.2.

 

Special Event Redemption

 

39

Section 10.3.

 

Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures

 

39

Section 10.4.

 

Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption

 

40

 

ii




 

ARTICLE XI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

 

40

 

 

 

Section 11.1.

 

Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

 

40

Section 11.2.

 

Successor Entity to be Substituted

 

41

Section 11.3.

 

Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

41

 

 

 

Section 12.1.

 

Discharge of Indenture

 

41

Section 12.2.

 

Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee

 

42

Section 12.3.

 

Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held

 

42

Section 12.4.

 

Return of Unclaimed Moneys

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

42

 

 

 

Section 13.1.

 

Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

43

 

 

 

Section 14.1.

 

Successors

 

43

Section 14.2.

 

Official Acts by Successor Entity

 

43

Section 14.3.

 

Surrender of Company Powers

 

43

Section 14.4.

 

Addresses for Notices, etc.

 

43

Section 14.5.

 

Governing Law

 

43

Section 14.6.

 

Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

 

43

Section 14.7.

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

44

Section 14.8.

 

Execution in Counterparts

 

44

Section 14.9.

 

Separability

 

44

Section 14.10.

 

Assignment

 

44

Section 14.11.

 

Acknowledgment of Rights

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

 

44

 

 

 

Section 15.1.

 

Agreement to Subordinate

 

44

Section 15.2.

 

Default on Senior Indebtedness

 

45

Section 15.3.

 

Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

 

45

Section 15.4.

 

Subrogation

 

46

Section 15.5.

 

Trustee to Effectuate Subordination

 

47

Section 15.6.

 

Notice by the Company

 

47

Section 15.7.

 

Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness

 

47

Section 15.8.

 

Subordination May Not Be Impaired

 

48

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture

 

 

 

iii




THIS INDENTURE, dated as of September 17, 2003, between Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America, as debenture trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2033 (the “Debentures”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the execution and authentication, delivery and administration thereof, and the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;

NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:

In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Debentures by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debentures as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.           Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1.  All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the time of any computation. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Additional Junior Indebtedness” means, without duplication and other than the Debentures, any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, under debt securities (or guarantees in respect of debt securities) initially issued after the date of this Indenture to any trust, or a trustee of a trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is, directly or indirectly, a finance subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) or other financing vehicle of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with the issuance by that entity of preferred securities or other securities that are eligible to qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or, if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the Additional Junior Indebtedness as Tier 1 capital shall not disqualify it as Additional Junior Indebtedness if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve now or may hereafter accord Tier 1 capital treatment (including the Debentures) in excess of the amount which may qualify for treatment as Tier 1 capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines.

1




Additional Sums” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Authenticating Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of the Company.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Hartford, Connecticut are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.

Capital Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

Capital Securities Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement that the Company enters into with U.S. Bank National Association, as guarantee trustee, or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of the Trust.

Capital Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as Tier l Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

2




Certificate” means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company.

Common Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Capital Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

Company” means Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall include its successors and assigns.

Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Debenture” or “Debentures” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.

Debenture Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5.

Declaration” means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Distribution Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 5.1, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of bank holding companies.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented, or both.

Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the Declaration.

Interest Payment Date” means March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year during the term of this Indenture, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day, commencing with December 17, 2003.

Interest Rate” means for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003 the rate per annum of 4.09% and for each Distribution Period thereafter, the Coupon Rate.

3




Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion will be considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

Liquidation Amount” means the stated amount of $1,000.00 per Trust Security.

Maturity Date” means September 17, 2033.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Managing Director or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.  Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

OTS” means the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of savings and loan holding companies.

The term “outstanding,” when used with reference to Debentures, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except:

(a)           Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b)           Debentures, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that, if such Debentures, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Section 10.3 or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c)           Debentures paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debentures are held by bona fide holders in due course.

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

Predecessor Security” of any particular Debenture means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture; and, for purposes of this

4




definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered under Section 2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture.

Principal Office of the Trustee,” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.

Security holder,” “holder of Debentures,” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debenture is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.

Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement; (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, any banker’s acceptance, any security purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or other transaction; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) any Additional Junior Indebtedness, (2) Debentures issued pursuant to this Indenture and guarantees in respect of such Debentures, (3) trade accounts payable of the Company arising in the ordinary course of business (such trade accounts payable being pari passu in right of payment to the Debentures), or (4) obligations with respect to which (a) in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are pari passu, junior or otherwise not superior in right of payment to the Debentures and (b) the Company, prior to the issuance thereof, has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve (if the Company is a bank holding company) or the OTS (if the Company is a savings and loan holding company). Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior

5




Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

Special Event” means any of a Capital Treatment Event, an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.

Special Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

Special Redemption Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Special Redemption Date that occurs on the date indicated below (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), expressed as the percentage of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed:

Special Redemption Date

 

Special Redemption Price

 

December 17, 2003

 

104.625

%

March 17, 2004

 

104.300

%

June 17, 2004

 

104.000

%

September 17, 2004

 

103.650

%

December 17, 2004

 

103.350

%

March 17, 2005

 

103.000

%

June 17, 2005

 

102.700

%

September 17, 2005

 

102.350

%

December 17, 2005

 

102.050

%

March 17, 2006

 

101.700

%

June 17, 2006

 

101.400

%

September 17, 2006

 

101.050

%

December 17, 2006

 

100.750

%

March 17, 2007

 

100.450

%

June 17, 2007

 

100.200

%

September 17, 2007 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.

6




Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests of which shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations) (an “Administrative Action”) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Company or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Telerate Page 3750” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Trust” shall mean Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II, a Connecticut statutory trust, or any other similar trust created for the purpose of issuing Capital Securities in connection with the issuance of Debentures under this Indenture, of which the Company is the sponsor.

Trust Securities” means Common Securities and Capital Securities of the Trust.

Trustee” means U.S. Bank National Association, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder.

ARTICLE II.

DEBENTURES

Section 2.1.           Authentication and Dating. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Debentures in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $5,155,000.00 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, the President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Vice Presidents without any

7




further action by the Company hereunder. In authenticating such Debentures, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a)           a copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, as the case may be; and

(b)           an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.6 which shall also state:

(1)      that such Debentures, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and other statutory or decisional laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or the reorganization of financial institutions (including, without limitation, preference and fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws), heretofore or hereafter enacted or in effect, affecting the rights of creditors generally; and

(2)      that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debentures have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of the Debentures by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debentures under this Section if the Trustee, being advised in writing by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.

The definitive Debentures shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debentures, as evidenced by their execution of such Debentures.

Section 2.2.           Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debentures shall be in substantially the following form:

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

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee

 

By

 

 

Authorized Signer

 

Section 2.3.           Form and Denomination of Debentures. The Debentures shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Debentures shall be in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of the Debentures in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000.00 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal effect whatsoever.  Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Debentures for any purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Debentures, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Debentures. The Debentures shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise

8




distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

Section 2.4.           Execution of Debentures. The Debentures shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents. Only such Debentures as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized signer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debentures nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debentures had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

Every Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.5.           Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures. The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in Section 3.2, a register (the “Debenture Register”) for the Debentures issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all Debentures as in this Article II provided.  The Debenture Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

Debentures to be exchanged may be surrendered at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. Registration or registration of transfer of any Debenture by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed pursuant to Section 3.2, and delivery of such Debenture, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of transfer of such Debenture.

All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

9




No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

The Company or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debenture for a period of 15 days next preceding the date of selection of Debentures for redemption.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debentures may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth below, unless otherwise determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY

10




INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Section 2.6.           Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures. In case any Debenture shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute, and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debenture which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any such Debenture is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all

11




other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.7.           Temporary Debentures. Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Debentures that are typed, printed or lithographed.  Temporary Debentures shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are issued but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debentures a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive Debentures. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor except that in case of any such exchange involving a registration of transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.8.           Payment of Interest and Additional Interest. Interest at the Interest Rate and any Additional Interest on any Debenture that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debentures shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment except that interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Maturity Date shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid.

Each Debenture shall bear interest for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003 at a rate per annum of 4.09%, and shall bear interest for each successive period beginning on (and including) December 17, 2003, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Period”) at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described in Section 2.10, plus 2.95% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount thereof, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period compounded quarterly. Interest shall be payable (subject to any relevant Extension Period) quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with the first installment of interest to be paid on December 17, 2003.

Any interest on any Debenture, including Additional Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of

12




business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 25 days prior to the date of the proposed payment of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debenture and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at its address as it appears in the Debenture Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.

The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Debentures in any other lawful manner after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment method; provided, however, the Trustee in its sole discretion deems such payment method to be practical.

Any interest (including Additional Interest) scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring during an Extension Period shall not be Defaulted Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the terms of such Debentures.

The term “regular record date” as used in this Section shall mean the close of business on the 15th calendar day next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Debenture delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debenture shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Debenture.

Section 2.9.           Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc. All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debentures canceled by any Authenticating Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee.  The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debentures unless the Company otherwise directs the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.10.        Computation of Interest. The amount of interest payable for each Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Interest Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to

13




9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

(a)           3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority:

 

(1)           the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below).  “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;

(2)           if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

(3)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

(4)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.

If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

(b)           The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

(c)           Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.

(d)           The Trustee shall notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee and any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which the Capital Securities are listed, of the Coupon Rate and the Determination Date for each Distribution Period, in each case as soon as practicable after the determination thereof but in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day of the relevant Distribution Period.  Failure to notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee or any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, or any defect in said notice, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to make payment on the Debentures at the applicable Coupon Rate.  Any error in the calculation of the Coupon Rate by the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered as above provided. Upon the

14




request of a holder of a Debenture, the Trustee shall provide the Coupon Rate then in effect and, if determined, the Coupon Rate for the next Distribution Period.

(e)           Subject to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of interest on the Debentures and distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee will (in the absence of willful default, bad faith and manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the Trust, the Company and all of the holders of the Debentures and the Capital Securities, and no liability shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith or manifest error) attach to the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by either of them or their respective powers, duties and discretion.

Section 2.11.        Extension of Interest Payment Period. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable).  No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) or (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together

15




with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period at least 5 Business Days prior to the regular record date (as such term is used in Section 2.8) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period. The Trustee shall give notice of the Company’s election to begin a new Extension Period to the Securityholders.

Section 2.12.        CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debentures may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debentures or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debentures, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE III.

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

Section 3.1.           Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures.

 

(a)           The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest and any Additional Interest and other payments on the Debentures at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Debentures. Each installment of interest on the Debentures may be paid (i) by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debentures entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company if a request for a wire transfer has not been received by the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking institution located in the United States designated in writing by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

 

(b)           The Company will treat the Debentures as indebtedness, and the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debentures as interest, for all United States federal income tax purposes. All payments in respect of such Debentures will be made free and clear of United States withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W8 BEN (or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-United States status for United States federal income tax purposes.

(c)           As of the date of this Indenture, the Company has no present intention to exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period.

(d)           As of the date of this Indenture, the Company believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an

16




Extension Period at any time during which the Debentures are outstanding is remote because of the restrictions that would be imposed on the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or distributions on, or to redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding equity and on the Company’s ability to make any payments of principal of or interest on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu in all respects with (or junior in interest to) the Debentures.

Section 3.2.           Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in Hartford, Connecticut, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.5, such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in Hartford, Connecticut, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal Office of the Trustee.

In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Hartford, Connecticut, where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in Hartford, Connecticut, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

Section 3.3.           Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 3.4.           Provision as to Paying Agent.

(a)           If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,

 

(1)           that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debentures) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures;

(2)           that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3)           that it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.

17




(b)           If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due and will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall become due and payable.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for the Debentures, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.

(c)           Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Debentures, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

(d)           Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject to Sections 12.3 and 12.4.

Section 3.5.           Certificate to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, so long as Debentures are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default during such fiscal year by the Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature and status thereof.

Section 3.6.           Additional Sums. If and for so long as the Trust is the holder of all Debentures and the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes (including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Sums”) on the Debentures as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying taxes (including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts the Trust would have received if no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges had been imposed. Whenever in this Indenture or the Debentures there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest on the Debentures, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of payments of the Additional Sums provided for in this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; provided, however, that the deferral of the payment of interest during an Extension Period pursuant to Section 2.11 shall not defer the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due and payable.

Section 3.7.           Compliance with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.

18




Section 3.8.           Limitation on Dividends. If Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).

Section 3.9.           Covenants as to the Trust. For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities. The Company, as owner of the Common Securities, shall, except in connection with a distribution of Debentures to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debentures.

Section 3.10.        Additional Junior Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and it shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, incur, issue or be obligated on any Additional Junior Indebtedness, either directly or indirectly, by way of guarantee, suretyship or otherwise, other than Additional Junior Indebtedness (i) that, by its terms, is expressly stated to be either junior and subordinate or pari passu in all respects to the Debentures, and (ii) of which the Company has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve, if the Company is a bank holding company, or the OTS, if the Company is a savings and loan holding company.

19




ARTICLE IV.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 4.1.           Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or caused to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a)           on each regular record date for the Debentures, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of the Debentures as of such record date; and

(b)           at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

except that no such lists need be furnished under this Section 4.1 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debenture registrar.

Section 4.2.           Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a)           The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Debentures registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b)           In case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least 6 months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debentures with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debentures and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(1)           afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, or

(2)           inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the

20




best interests of the holders of all Debentures, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

(c)           Each and every holder of Debentures, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).

ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

Section 5.1.           Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a)           the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture when it becomes due and payable, and fails to cure such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or

(b)           the Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or

(c)           the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of the Debentures established as contemplated in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d)           a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

21




(e)           the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or

(f)            the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence except in connection with (i) the distribution of the Debentures to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debentures and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Additional Interest) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6, if any, and (ii) all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Debentures which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein — then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 5.2.           Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debentures for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with Additional Interest accrued on the Debentures (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the

22




Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect thereof); and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.  In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise,

(i)                                     to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debentures,

(ii)                                  in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6), and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Debentures in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings,

(iii)                               to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and

(iv)                              to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses.

Any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

23




All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Debentures, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Debentures parties to any such proceedings.

Section 5.3.           Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Debentures in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6;

Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;

Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Debentures for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debentures, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Debentures (including Additional Interest); and

Fourth: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 5.4.           Proceedings by Securityholders. No holder of any Debenture shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debenture to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Debenture when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing itself of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

24




Section 5.5.           Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 5.6.           Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6, all powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to the Debentures, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debentures to exercise any right, remedy or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right, remedy or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under Section 6.1) or by the Securityholders.

Section 5.7.           Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such Debentures; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

25




Section 5.8.           Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Debenture Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debentures known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders.

Section 5.9.           Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.

ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 6.1.           Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of Debentures issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, with respect to the Debentures, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  In case an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a)           prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred

(1)           the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debentures shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, and

(2)           in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions

26




expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(c)           the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.7, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 6.2.           Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:

(a)           the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)           any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c)           the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d)           the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

27




(f)            the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;

(g)           the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and

(h)           with the exceptions of defaults under Sections 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debentures unless a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any holder of the Debentures.

Section 6.3.           No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures (except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures.  The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the proceeds of any Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 6.4.           Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debenture registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Debenture registrar.

Section 6.5.           Moneys to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Managing Director, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.

Section 6.6.           Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct. For purposes of clarification, this Section 6.6 does not contemplate the payment by the Company of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustee pursuant to

28




the services to be provided by the Trustee under this Indenture or the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture. The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debentures.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d), Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.

Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or any Debenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to advance funds to pay any principal of or interest on or other amounts with respect to the Debentures or otherwise advance funds to or on behalf of the Company.

Section 6.7.           Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 6.8.           Eligibility of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or whose obligations under this Indenture are guaranteed by an affiliate having) a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00) and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.8 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent records of condition so published.

The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.

In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.9.

29




If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of §310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner described by this Indenture.

Section 6.9.           Resignation or Removal of Trustee

(a)           The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(b)           In case at any time any of the following shall occur —

(1)           the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months, or

(2)           the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

(3)           the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint successor Trustee.

(c)           Upon prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee unless within 10 Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case, or in the case of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.9 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor.

30




(d)           Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.

Section 6.10.        Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.9 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee thereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.

If a successor Trustee is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debentures as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 6.8.

In no event shall a retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register.  If the Company fails to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

Section 6.11.        Succession by Merger, etc. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such

31




Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debentures or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debentures in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 6.12.        Authenticating Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Debentures issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debentures; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of Debentures. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.00 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debentures by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debentures as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Debenture Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.

The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.

32




ARTICLE VII.
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

Section 7.1.           Action by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Debentures voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d) by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such Debentures for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debentures have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 6 months after the record date.

Section 7.2.           Proof of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture Register or by a certificate of the Debenture registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

The record of any Securityholders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.6.

Section 7.3.           Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.

33




Section 7.4.           Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debentures which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debentures and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

Section 7.5.           Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) or any holder as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) of a Debenture (or any Debenture issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debenture (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debenture). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE VIII.

SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 8.1.           Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:

(a)           to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;

(b)           to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;

(c)           to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or

(d)           to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Debentures under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

34




Section 8.2.           Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section 8.1, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debentures affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debentures Register and, if the Company is not a holder of Debentures, to the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Section 8.3.           Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.2.

Section 8.4.           Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Debentures with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debentures. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 8.5.           Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, at any meeting each holder of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 8.6.           Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Debentures held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall

35




appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.2.  The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debentures voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Section 8.7.           Quorum; Actions. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Securityholders, be dissolved.  In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be given only once not less than 5 days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding; provided, however, that, except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debentures duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1.           Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time

36




enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

(a)           to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;

(b)           to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of Debentures as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debentures, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant restriction or condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;

(c)           to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures;

(d)           to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debentures, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange, registration or transfer of Debentures, including to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the Capital Securities as required by Section 2.5 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debentures is required under the Securities Act); provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso, that transfer restrictions on Debentures substantially similar to those that were applicable to Capital Securities shall not be deemed to materially adversely affect the holders of the Debentures);

(e)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debentures and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;

(f)            to make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or

(g)           to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debentures.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

37




Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

Section 9.2.           Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the Debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the consent of the Securityholder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3.           Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

38




Section 9.4.           Notation on Debentures. Debentures authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding.

Section 9.5.           Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.6, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX.  The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.

ARTICLE X.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 10.1.        Optional Redemption. The Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after September 17, 2008 (the “Redemption Date”), at the Redemption Price.

Section 10.2.        Special Event Redemption. If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the “Special Redemption Date”) at the Special Redemption Price.

Section 10.3.        Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Debentures, it shall cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date to the holders of Debentures so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debenture Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice.  In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debenture.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the CUSIP number, if any, of the Debentures to be redeemed, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Redemption Price or the Special Redemption Price, as applicable, at which Debentures are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the

39




Debentures are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Debentures to be redeemed. In case the Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.

If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.

Section 10.4.        Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.3, the Debentures or portions of Debentures with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debentures at the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable) interest on the Debentures or portions of Debentures so called for redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debentures at a place of payment specified in said notice, such Debentures or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.

Upon presentation of any Debenture redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debenture so presented.

ARTICLE XI.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 11.1.        Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property or capital stock of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation, merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property or capital stock.

40




Section 11.2.        Successor Entity to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Debentures. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue in its own name, any or all of the Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Debentures which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Debentures which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose.  All the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Debentures had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Section 11.3.        Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.5, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article XI complies with the provisions of this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 12.1.        Discharge of Indenture. When

(a)                                  the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) and not theretofore canceled, or

(b)                                 all the Debentures not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within 1 year or are to be called for redemption within 1 year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debentures (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.4, or (2) paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws,

41




and if in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9 and 12.4 hereof shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6 and 12.4 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debentures.

Section 12.2         Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Debentures for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, and premium, if any, and interest.

Section 12.3.        Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debentures (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

Section 12.4.        Return of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debentures and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debentures for 2 years after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debentures, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall, subject to applicable escheatment laws, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debentures shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

ARTICLE XIII.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.1.        Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.

42




ARTICLE XIV.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 14.1.        Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 14.2.        Official Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

Section 14.3.        Surrender of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.

Section 14.4.        Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made, furnished or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on or to the Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, 900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300, Escondido, California 92025, Attention: L. Bruce Mills, Jr..  Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 Attention: Vice President, Corporate Trust Services Division, with a copy to the Trustee, 1 Federal Street – 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention:  Paul D. Allen, Corporate Trust Services Division.  Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand on or to any Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the address set forth in the Debenture Register.

Section 14.5.        Governing Law. This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

Section 14.6.        Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a

43




statement as to whether or not in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 14.7.        Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 14.8.        Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 14.9.        Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Debentures, but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

Section 14.10.      Assignment. The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto.

Section 14.11.      Acknowledgment of Rights. The Company agrees that, with respect to any Debentures held by the Trust or the Institutional Trustee of the Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of the Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of Debentures held as the assets of such Trust after the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such Trust have so directed such Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee’s rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium, if any) or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest (or premium, if any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company agrees that a holder of record of Capital Securities of the Trust may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures.

ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

Section 15.1.        Agreement to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all Debentures shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right

44




of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred; provided, however, that the Debentures shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the 11% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due March 15, 2030 issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March 23, 2000 by and between the Company and The Bank of New York.

No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 15.2.        Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or canceled and such Senior Indebtedness has not been paid in full, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.2, such payment shall, subject to Section 15.7, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Section 15.3.        Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures. Upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company, or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for

45




such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article XV, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article XI of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article XI of this Indenture.  Nothing in Section 15.2 or in this Section shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6 of this Indenture.

Section 15.4.        Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures shall be paid in full. For the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debentures be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness.  It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

46




Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.5.        Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 15.6.        Notice by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least 2 Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within 2 Business Days prior to such date.

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

Section 15.7.        Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

47




With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

Section 15.8.        Subordination May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debentures to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, and any other Person.

Signatures appear on the following page

48




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

  Name:

Michael J. Perdue

 

 

  Title:

President & Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

  Name:

Paul D. Allen

 

 

  Title:

Vice President

 

49




EXHIBIT A

FORM OF FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY

A-1-1




SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture

of

Community Bancorp Inc.

September 17, 2003

Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received promises to pay to U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Institutional Trustee for Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II (the “Holder”) or registered assigns, the principal sum of five million one hundred fifty-five thousand dollars ($5,155,000.00) on September 17, 2033, and to pay interest on said principal sum from September 17, 2003, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day) commencing on December 17, 2003, at an annual rate equal to 4.09% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) December 17, 2003, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 2.95% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment, and on any overdue principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period,

A-1-2




compounded quarterly, from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Debenture is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be fifteen days prior to the day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs. Any such interest installment not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.  As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.

The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or ..09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all

A-1-3




dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

The principal of and interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register if a request for a wire transfer by such holder has not been received by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Trustee.

So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable). No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to engage in any of the activities or transactions described on the reverse side hereof and in the Indenture. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest.  The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period at least 5 Business Days prior to the regular record date (as such term is used in Section 2.8 of the Indenture) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period.

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

A-1-4




This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

A-1-5




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this certificate.

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

  Name:

 

 

  Title:

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

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

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

A-1-6




[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]

This Debenture is one of the floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to the Indenture dated as of September 17, 2003 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and the Trustee, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal amount as specified in the Indenture.

Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event prior to September 17, 2008, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event, at the Special Redemption Price.

In addition, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after September 17, 2008, at the Redemption Price.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.

If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.

In case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures shall become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to

A-1-7




waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof or of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, on this Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

The Company has agreed that if Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any

A-1-8




cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).

The Debentures are issuable only in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions and limitations as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Debenture is transferable by the holder hereof on the Debenture Register of the Company. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2 of the Indenture, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to, the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.

Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Debenture shall have the meanings assigned in the Indenture dated as of the date of original issuance of this Debenture between the Trustee and the Company.

THE INDENTURE AND THE DEBENTURES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

A-1-9




FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of October 26, 2006 is by and among U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (herein, together with its successors in trust, the “Trustee”), and FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP (the “Successor Company”), a California corporation and the successor by merger with COMMUNITY BANCORP INC. (the “Existing Issuer”), a Delaware corporation and the “Company” under the Indenture referred to below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Trustee and the Successor Company hereby agree as follows:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

WHEREAS, the Trustee and the Existing Issuer are parties to that certain Indenture dated as of September 17, 2003 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Existing Issuer may issue not in excess of $5,155,000 of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2033 (the “Debentures”);

WHEREAS, as permitted by Section 11.1 of the Indenture, the Existing Issuer has, simultaneously with the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, merged (referred to herein as the “Transaction”) with and into the Successor Company, with the Successor Company as the surviving corporation;

WHEREAS, Section 11.2 of the Indenture provides that in the case of any transaction in accordance with Section 11.1, and upon such assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Existing Issuer with the same effect as if the Successor Company had been named in the Indenture, and the Existing Issuer shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation under the Indenture or upon the Debentures;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are entering into this First Supplemental Indenture pursuant to, and in accordance with, Sections 9.1 and 11.1 of the Indenture to evidence the succession of the Successor Company to the Existing Issuer and the assumption by the Successor Company of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to amend or supplement the Indenture in these circumstances without notice to or consent of the Securityholders or the consent of the holders of the Capital Securities, to evidence the succession of another Person to the Existing Issuer and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer.




NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and pursuant to Section 9.1(a) of the Indenture, the undersigned parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions.  All capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the respective meanings assigned them in the Indenture except as otherwise provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 2. Interpretation.  (a) In this first Supplemental Indenture, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

(i)            the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;

(ii)           reference to any gender includes the other gender;

(iii)          the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision;

(iv)          reference to any Person includes such Persons’ successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually provided that nothing in this clause (iv) is intended to authorize any assignment not otherwise permitted by this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture;

(v)           reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof, as well as any substitution or replacement therefore and reference to any note includes modifications thereof and any note issued in extension or renewal thereof or in substitution or replacement therefore;

(vi)       reference to any Section means such Section of this First Supplemental Indenture; and

(vii)         the word “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term.

(b)           No provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be interpreted or construed against any Person because that Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.




SECTION 3. Assumption of Obligations(a) Pursuant to, and in compliance and accordance with, Section 11.1 of the Indenture, the Successor Company hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, and any Additional Interest and Additional Sums with respect to, all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every covenant and condition of the Company under the Indenture, all as if the Successor Company were the Company thereunder.

(b)           Pursuant to Section 11.2 of the Indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if the Successor Company had originally been the Company under the Indenture.

SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties.  The Successor Company represents and warrants that (a) it has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture and to perform the Indenture, (b) that it is the successor by merger of the Existing Issuer pursuant to a valid merger effected in accordance with applicable law and (c) that it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Effectiveness.

(a)           This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective at the effective time of the Transaction following executions of the Trustee and the Successor Company of counterparts of this First Supplemental Indenture.

(b)           The Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Transaction and this First Supplemental Indenture comply with Article IX of the Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to it, to the effect that the Transaction and the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture is permitted by and is effected in compliance with the Indenture.

SECTION 6. Reference to the Indenture.  (a) Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “herein” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(b)           Upon the effectiveness of this First Supplemental Indenture, all references in each of the Debentures, and in the other documents and instruments executed in connection therewith, to the Indenture, including each term defined by reference to the Indenture, shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture or such term, as the case may be, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(c)           The Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the amendment and supplement referred to above, shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

(d)           If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or




conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this First Supplemental Indenture, the latter provision shall control.  If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this First Supplemental Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 7. Execution in Counterparts.  This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 8. Governing Law; Binding Effect.  This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 9. 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 the due execution thereof by the Successor Company.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for the correctness of the recitals of fact contained herein.

SECTION 10. Notices.  From the effective date hereof, the following shall be the address for notices to the Company under Section 14.4 of the Indenture:

First Community Bancorp

10250 Constellation Boulevard, Suite 1640

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention: Jared M. Wolff, Esq., Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Telephone: (310) 728-1023

Facsimile: (310) 201-0498

[Signatures begin on following page]




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be executed and effective as of the date first stated herein, by their respective offices thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY:

 

 

 

FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP

 

 

 

 

 

By:

  /s/ Victor R. Santoro

 

 

Name: Victor R. Santoro

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
 Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

THE TRUSTEE:

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as
successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust
Company of Connecticut, National Association)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

Name: Paul D. Allen

 

Title: Vice President

 



EX-4.9 5 a07-4181_1ex4d9.htm EX-4.9

Exhibit 4.9

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.,

as Issuer

INDENTURE

Dated as of August 15, 2005

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,

as Trustee

FIXED/FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST

DEBENTURES

DUE 2035

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

 

1

 

 

 

Section 1.1.

 

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II. DEBENTURES

 

8

 

 

 

Section 2.1.

 

Authentication and Dating

 

8

Section 2.2.

 

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

 

9

Section 2.3.

 

Form and Denomination of Debentures

 

9

Section 2.4.

 

Execution of Debentures

 

10

Section 2.5.

 

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures

 

10

Section 2.6.

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures

 

12

Section 2.7.

 

Temporary Debentures

 

13

Section 2.8.

 

Payment of Interest and Additional Interest

 

13

Section 2.9.

 

Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc.

 

14

Section 2.10.

 

Computation of Interest

 

14

Section 2.11.

 

Extension of Interest Payment Period

 

16

Section 2.12.

 

CUSIP Numbers

 

17

Section 2.13.

 

Global Debentures

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

19

 

 

 

Section 3.1.

 

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures

 

19

Section 3.2.

 

Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.

 

19

Section 3.3.

 

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

 

20

Section 3.4.

 

Provision as to Paying Agent

 

20

Section 3.5.

 

Certificate to Trustee

 

21

Section 3.6.

 

Additional Sums

 

21

Section 3.7.

 

Compliance with Consolidation Provisions

 

21

Section 3.8.

 

Limitation on Dividends

 

21

Section 3.9.

 

Covenants as to the Trust

 

22

Section 3.10.

 

Additional Junior Indebtedness

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

 

22

 

 

 

Section 4.1.

 

Securityholders’ Lists

 

22

Section 4.2.

 

Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

24

 

 

 

Section 5.1.

 

Events of Default

 

24

Section 5.2.

 

Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor

 

25

Section 5.3.

 

Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee

 

27

Section 5.4.

 

Proceedings by Securityholders

 

27

Section 5.5.

 

Proceedings by Trustee

 

27

Section 5.6.

 

Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver

 

28

 

i




 

Section 5.7.

 

Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders

 

28

Section 5.8.

 

Notice of Defaults

 

28

Section 5.9.

 

Undertaking to Pay Costs

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

29

 

 

 

Section 6.1.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

 

29

Section 6.2.

 

Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

 

30

Section 6.3.

 

No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

 

31

Section 6.4.

 

Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures

 

31

Section 6.5.

 

Moneys to be Held in Trust

 

31

Section 6.6.

 

Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

 

31

Section 6.7.

 

Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

 

32

Section 6.8.

 

Eligibility of Trustee

 

32

Section 6.9.

 

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

 

33

Section 6.10.

 

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

 

34

Section 6.11.

 

Succession by Merger, etc.

 

34

Section 6.12.

 

Authenticating Agents

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

35

 

 

 

Section 7.1.

 

Action by Securityholders

 

35

Section 7.2.

 

Proof of Execution by Securityholders

 

36

Section 7.3.

 

Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners

 

36

Section 7.4.

 

Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding

 

36

Section 7.5.

 

Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

37

 

 

 

Section 8.1.

 

Purposes of Meetings

 

37

Section 8.2.

 

Call of Meetings by Trustee

 

37

Section 8.3.

 

Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders

 

38

Section 8.4.

 

Qualifications for Voting

 

38

Section 8.5.

 

Regulations

 

38

Section 8.6.

 

Voting

 

38

Section 8.7.

 

Quorum; Actions

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

39

 

 

 

Section 9.1.

 

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders

 

39

Section 9.2.

 

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders

 

41

Section 9.3.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

 

41

Section 9.4.

 

Notation on Debentures

 

41

Section 9.5.

 

Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

42

 

 

 

Section 10.1.

 

Optional Redemption

 

42

Section 10.2.

 

Special Event Redemption

 

42

Section 10.3.

 

Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures

 

42

Section 10.4.

 

Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption

 

43

 

ii




 

ARTICLE XI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

 

43

 

 

 

Section 11.1.

 

Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

 

43

Section 11.2.

 

Successor Entity to be Substituted

 

44

Section 11.3.

 

Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

44

 

 

 

Section 12.1.

 

Discharge of Indenture

 

44

Section 12.2.

 

Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee

 

45

Section 12.3.

 

Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held

 

45

Section 12.4.

 

Return of Unclaimed Moneys

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

Section 13.1.

 

Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

46

 

 

 

Section 14.1.

 

Successors

 

46

Section 14.2.

 

Official Acts by Successor Entity

 

46

Section 14.3.

 

Surrender of Company Powers

 

46

Section 14.4.

 

Addresses for Notices, etc.

 

46

Section 14.5.

 

Governing Law

 

46

Section 14.6.

 

Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

 

46

Section 14.7.

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

47

Section 14.8.

 

Execution in Counterparts

 

47

Section 14.9.

 

Separability

 

47

Section 14.10.

 

Assignment

 

47

Section 14.11.

 

Acknowledgment of Rights

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV. SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

 

47

 

 

 

Section 15.1.

 

Agreement to Subordinate

 

47

Section 15.2.

 

Default on Senior Indebtedness

 

48

Section 15.3.

 

Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

 

48

Section 15.4.

 

Subrogation

 

49

Section 15.5.

 

Trustee to Effectuate Subordination

 

50

Section 15.6.

 

Notice by the Company

 

50

Section 15.7.

 

Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness

 

51

Section 15.8.

 

Subordination May Not Be Impaired

 

51

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Certificate to Trustee

 

 

 

iii




THIS INDENTURE, dated as of August 15, 2005, between Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as debenture trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2035 (the “Debentures”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the execution and authentication, delivery and administration thereof, and the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;

NOW, THEREFORE, This Indenture Witnesseth:

In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Debentures by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debentures as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.           Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1.  All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the time of any computation.  The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Acceleration Event of Default” means an Event of Default under Section 5.1(a), (d), (e) or (f), whatever the reason for such Acceleration Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Additional Junior Indebtedness” means, without duplication and other than the Debentures, any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, under debt securities (or guarantees in respect of debt securities) initially issued after the date of this Indenture to any trust, or a trustee of a trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is, directly or indirectly, a finance subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) or other financing vehicle of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with the issuance by that entity of preferred securities or other securities that are eligible to qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or, if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any portion of the Additional Junior Indebtedness as Tier 1 capital shall not disqualify it as Additional Junior Indebtedness if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated

1




subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve now or may hereafter accord Tier 1 capital treatment (including the Debentures) in excess of the amount which may qualify for treatment as Tier 1 capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines.

Additional Sums” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Applicable Depositary Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Debenture or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Debenture, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

Authenticating Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of the Company.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Wilmington, Delaware are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.

Capital Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

Capital Securities Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement that the Company enters into with Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee trustee, or other Persons that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities of the Trust.

Capital Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Company (or if the Company is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Company as if the Company were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all or any

2




portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as Tier l Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

Certificate” means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company.

Common Securities” means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Capital Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration), the rights of holders of such Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of such Capital Securities.

Company” means Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall include its successors and assigns.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means with respect to any Special Redemption Date the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a period from three months before to three months after the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, the two most closely corresponding fixed, non-callable United States Treasury securities, as selected by the Quotation Agent, shall be used as the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such securities.

Comparable Treasury Price” means (a) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Special Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Debenture” or “Debentures” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.

Debenture Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5.

Declaration” means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

3




Depositary” means an organization registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act that is designated as Depositary by the Company or any successor thereto.  The initial Depositary will be DTC.

Depositary Participant” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Depositary effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depositary.

Distribution Period” means (i) with respect to interest paid on the first Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in September 2005 and (ii) thereafter, with respect to interest paid on each successive Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) such current Interest Payment Date.

Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

DTC” means the Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 5.1, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of bank holding companies.

Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life” means, with respect to any Debenture, the period from the Special Redemption Date for such Debenture to the Interest Payment Date in September 2010.

Global Debenture” means a security that evidences all or part of the Debentures, the ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book entries by a Depositary.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented, or both.

Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the Declaration.

Interest Payment Date” means March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year during the term of this Indenture, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day, commencing in September 2005.

Interest Rate” means for the Distribution Period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 the rate per annum of 5.85%, and for each Distribution Period beginning on or after the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, the Coupon Rate for such Distribution Period.

Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion will be considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the

4




Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

Liquidation Amount” means the stated amount of $1,000.00 per Trust Security.

Maturity Date” means September 15, 2035.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Managing Director or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Comptroller, an Assistant Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.  Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

OTS” means the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of savings and loan holding companies.

The term “outstanding,” when used with reference to Debentures, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except:

(a)           Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b)           Debentures, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that, if such Debentures, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Section 10.3 or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c)           Debentures paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debentures are held by bona fide holders in due course.

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

Predecessor Security” of any particular Debenture means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture; and, for purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered under Section 2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture.

Primary Treasury Dealer” means either a nationally recognized primary United States Government securities dealer or an entity of recognized standing in matters pertaining to the quotation of treasury securities that is reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Trustee.

5




Principal Office of the Trustee,” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.

Quotation Agent” means a designee of the Institutional Trustee who shall be a Primary Treasury Dealer.

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, 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 Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.

Securityholder,” “holder of Debentures,” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debenture is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.

Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company for all borrowed and purchased money and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, notes, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement; (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, any banker’s acceptance, any security purchase facility, any repurchase agreement or similar arrangement, any interest rate swap, any other hedging arrangement, any obligation under options or any similar credit or other transaction; (v) all obligations of the Company associated with derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements; (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise including, without limitation, similar obligations arising from off-balance sheet guarantees and direct credit substitutes; and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)

6




through (vi) above of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) any Additional Junior Indebtedness, (2) Debentures issued pursuant to this Indenture and guarantees in respect of such Debentures, (3) trade accounts payable of the Company arising in the ordinary course of business (such trade accounts payable being pari passu in right of payment to the Debentures), or (4) obligations with respect to which (a) in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are pari passu, junior or otherwise not superior in right of payment to the Debentures and (b) the Company, prior to the issuance thereof, has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve (if the Company is a bank holding company) or the OTS (if the Company is a savings and loan holding company).  Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

Special Event” means any of a Capital Treatment Event, an Investment Company Event or a Tax Event.

Special Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

Special Redemption Price” means (a) if the Special Redemption Date occurs before the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, the greater of (i) 107.5% of the principal amount of the Debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest) on the Debentures to the Special Redemption Date, or (ii) as determined by the Quotation Agent, (A) the sum of the present values of the scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Debentures during the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life of the Debentures (assuming the Debentures matured on the Interest Payment Date in September 2010) discounted to the Special Redemption Date on a quarterly basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus (B) accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest) on the Debentures to such Special Redemption Date, or (b) if the Special Redemption Date occurs on or after the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.

Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests of which shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt

7




such procedures or regulations) (an “Administrative Action”) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Company or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that:  (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Telerate Page 3750” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Treasury Rate” means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the date of calculation, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated H.15 (519) or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Special Redemption Date.  The Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Quotation Agent on the third Business Day preceding the Special Redemption Date.

Trust” shall mean Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust, or any other similar trust created for the purpose of issuing Capital Securities in connection with the issuance of Debentures under this Indenture, of which the Company is the sponsor.

Trust Securities” means Common Securities and Capital Securities of the Trust.

Trustee” means Wilmington Trust Company, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder.

ARTICLE II.

DEBENTURES

 

Section 2.1.           Authentication and Dating. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Debentures in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $20,619,000.00 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written authentication order from the Company, shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, the President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Vice Presidents without any further action by the Company hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying

8




upon the aforementioned authentication order and written order in authenticating and delivering said Debentures. In authenticating such Debentures, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a)           a copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, as the case may be; and

(b)           an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.6 which shall also state:

(1)           that such Debentures, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and other statutory or decisional laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or the reorganization of financial institutions (including, without limitation, preference and fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws), heretofore or hereafter enacted or in effect, affecting the rights of creditors generally; and

(2)           that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debentures have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of the Debentures by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debentures under this Section if the Trustee, being advised in writing by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.

The definitive Debentures shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debentures, as evidenced by their execution of such Debentures.

Section 2.2.           Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debentures shall be in substantially the following form:

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

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

 

By

 

 

Authorized Signer

 

 

Section 2.3.           Form and Denomination of Debentures. The Debentures shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.  The Debentures shall be in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of the Debentures in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000.00 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal effect whatsoever.  Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Debentures for any purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Debentures, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Debentures.  The Debentures shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise

9




distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

Section 2.4.           Execution of Debentures. The Debentures shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman, President, one of its Managing Directors or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents.  Only such Debentures as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized signer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.  Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debentures nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debentures had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

Every Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.5.           Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures. The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in Section 3.2, a register (the “Debenture Register”) for the Debentures issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all Debentures as in this Article II provided. The Debenture Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

Debentures to be exchanged may be surrendered at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.  Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount.  Registration or registration of transfer of any Debenture by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed pursuant to Section 3.2, and delivery of such Debenture, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of transfer of such Debenture.

All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

10




No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

The Company or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debenture for a period of 15 days next preceding the date of selection of Debentures for redemption.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debentures may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth below, unless otherwise determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY

11




INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Section 2.6.           Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures. In case any Debenture shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute, and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen.  In every case the applicant for a substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company.  Upon the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debenture which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any such Debenture is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all

12




other Debentures duly issued hereunder.  All Debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.7.           Temporary Debentures. Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Debentures that are typed, printed or lithographed.  Temporary Debentures shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are issued but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the Company.  Every such temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Debentures.  Without unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Debentures a like aggregate principal amount of such definitive Debentures.  Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor except that in case of any such exchange involving a registration of transfer the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Debentures shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.8.           Payment of Interest and Additional Interest. Interest at the Interest Rate and any Additional Interest on any Debenture that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debentures shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment except that interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Maturity Date shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid.

Each Debenture shall bear interest for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 at a rate per annum of 5.85%, and shall bear interest for each successive Distribution Period beginning on or after the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described in Section 2.10, plus 1.69% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount thereof, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period compounded quarterly.  Interest shall be payable (subject to any relevant Extension Period) quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with the first installment of interest to be paid on the Interest Payment Date in September 2005.

Any interest on any Debenture, including Additional Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of

13




business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 25 days prior to the date of the proposed payment of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debenture and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at its address as it appears in the Debenture Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date.  Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.

The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Debentures in any other lawful manner after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment method; provided, however, the Trustee in its sole discretion deems such payment method to be practical.

Any interest (including Additional Interest) scheduled to become payable on an Interest Payment Date occurring during an Extension Period shall not be Defaulted Interest and shall be payable on such other date as may be specified in the terms of such Debentures.

The term “regular record date” as used in this Section shall mean the close of business on the 15th Business Day preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Debenture delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debenture shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Debenture.

Section 2.9.           Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc. All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debentures canceled by any Authenticating Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee.  The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debentures unless the Company otherwise directs the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.10.        Computation of Interest. The amount of interest payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Interest Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.  All percentages resulting from any calculations on the

14




Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

(a)           3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority:

(1)           the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below).  “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;

(2)           if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

(3)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

(4)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.

If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

(b)           The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

(c)           Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.

(d)           The Trustee shall notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee and any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which the Capital Securities are listed, of the Coupon Rate and the Determination Date for each Distribution Period, in each case as soon as practicable after the determination thereof but in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day of the relevant Distribution Period. Failure to notify the Company, the Institutional Trustee or any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, or any defect in said notice, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to make

15




payment on the Debentures at the applicable Coupon Rate.  Any error in the calculation of the Coupon Rate by the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered as above provided.  Upon the request of a holder of a Debenture, the Trustee shall provide the Coupon Rate then in effect and, if determined, the Coupon Rate for the next Distribution Period.

(e)           Subject to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of interest on the Debentures and distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee will (in the absence of willful default, bad faith and manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the Trust, the Company and all of the holders of the Debentures and the Capital Securities, and no liability shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith or manifest error) attach to the Trustee or the Institutional Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by either of them or their respective powers, duties and discretion.

Section 2.11.        Extension of Interest Payment Period. So long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable).  No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date.  During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) or (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in

16




connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.  No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest to the extent permitted by applicable law.  The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period by the close of business at least 15 Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period.  The Trustee shall give notice of the Company’s election to begin a new Extension Period to the Securityholders.

Section 2.12.        CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debentures may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debentures or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debentures, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

Section 2.13.        Global Debentures.

(a)           Upon the election of the holder of outstanding Debentures, which election need not be in writing, the Debentures owned by such holder shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Debentures registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.  Each Global Debenture issued under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated by the Company for such Global Debenture or a nominee thereof, delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor and shall contain such legends as may be required by the Depositary and each such Global Debenture shall constitute a single Debenture for all purposes of this Indenture.

(b)           Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Debenture may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debentures registered, and no transfer of a Global Debenture in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Debenture or a nominee thereof unless (i) such Depositary advises the Trustee and the Company in writing that such Depositary is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as Depositary with respect to such Global Debenture, and no qualified successor is appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days of receipt by the Company of such notice, (ii) such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and no successor is appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days after obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company order stating that the Company elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary or (iv) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Trustee shall notify the Depositary and instruct the Depositary to notify all owners of beneficial interests in such Global Debenture of the occurrence of such event and of the availability of Debentures to such owners of beneficial interests requesting the same. Upon the issuance of such Debentures and the registration in the Debenture Register of such Debentures in the names of the holders of the beneficial interests therein, the Trustee shall recognize such holders of beneficial interests as holders.

17




(c)           If any Global Debenture is to be exchanged for other Debentures or canceled in part, or if another Debenture is to be exchanged in whole or in part for a beneficial interest in any Global Debenture, then either (i) such Global Debenture shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Article II or (ii) the principal amount thereof shall be reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the principal amount of such other Debentures to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Debenture registrar, whereupon the Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Depositary Procedures, shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records.  Upon any such surrender or adjustment of a Global Debenture by the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver any Debentures issuable in exchange for such Global Debenture (or any portion thereof) in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, such instructions.

(d)           Every Debenture authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Debenture or any portion thereof shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Debenture, unless such Debenture is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Debenture or a nominee thereof.

(e)           Debentures distributed to holders of Book-Entry Capital Securities (as defined in the Declaration) upon the dissolution of the Trust shall be distributed in the form of one or more Global Debentures registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee, and deposited with the Debentures registrar, as custodian for such Depositary, or with such Depositary, for credit by the Depositary to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of the Debentures represented thereby (or such other accounts as they may direct).  Debentures distributed to holders of Capital Securities other than Book-Entry Capital Securities upon the dissolution of the Trust shall not be issued in the form of a Global Debenture or any other form intended to facilitate book-entry trading in beneficial interests in such Debentures.

(f)            The Depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of a Global Debenture, shall be the holder of such Global Debenture for all purposes under this Indenture and the Debentures, and owners of beneficial interests in a Global Debenture shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable Depositary Procedures.  Accordingly, any such owner’s beneficial interest in a Global Debenture shall be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee or its Depositary Participants.  The Debentures registrar and the Trustee shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary for all purposes under this Indenture relating to a Global Debenture (including the payment of principal and interest thereon and the giving of instructions or directions by owners of beneficial interests therein and the giving of notices) as the sole holder of the Debenture and shall have no obligations to the owners of beneficial interests therein.  Neither the Trustee nor the Debentures registrar shall have any liability in respect of any transfers effected by the Depositary.

(g)           The rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Debenture shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such owners and the Depositary and/or its Depositary Participants.

(h)           No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Debenture held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Debenture, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Debenture for all purposes whatsoever.  None of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the

18




records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Debenture or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depositary or impair, as between a Depositary and such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depositary (or its nominee) as holder of any Debenture.

ARTICLE III.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 3.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures.

(a)           The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest and any Additional Interest and other payments on the Debentures at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Debentures. Each installment of interest on the Debentures may be paid (i) by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debentures entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company if a request for a wire transfer has not been received by the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking institution located in the United States designated in writing by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

(b)           The Company will treat the Debentures as indebtedness, and the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debentures as interest, for all United States federal income tax purposes. All payments in respect of such Debentures will be made free and clear of United States withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W8 BEN (or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-United States status for United States federal income tax purposes.

(c)           As of the date of this Indenture, the Company has no present intention to exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period.

(d)           As of the date of this Indenture, the Company believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right under Section 2.11 to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by commencing an Extension Period at any time during which the Debentures are outstanding is remote because of the restrictions that would be imposed on the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or distributions on, or to redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its outstanding equity and on the Company’s ability to make any payments of principal of or interest on, or repurchase or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu in all respects with (or junior in interest to) the Debentures.

Section 3.2.           Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof.  Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a

19




notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.5, such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee.  In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal Office of the Trustee.

In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Wilmington, Delaware, where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

Section 3.3.           Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 3.4.           Provision as to Paying Agent.

(a)           If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,

(1)           that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debentures) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures;

(2)           that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3)           that it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.

(b)           If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due and will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall become due and payable.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for the Debentures, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.

20




(c)           Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Debentures, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

(d)           Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject to Sections 12.3 and 12.4.

Section 3.5.           Certificate to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, so long as Debentures are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default during such fiscal year by the Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature and status thereof.  A form of this Certificate is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

Section 3.6.           Additional Sums. If and for so long as the Trust is the holder of all Debentures and the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes (including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Sums”) on the Debentures as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying taxes (including withholding taxes), duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts the Trust would have received if no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges had been imposed.  Whenever in this Indenture or the Debentures there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest on the Debentures, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of payments of the Additional Sums provided for in this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; provided, however, that the deferral of the payment of interest during an Extension Period pursuant to Section 2.11 shall not defer the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due and payable.

Section 3.7.           Compliance with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.

Section 3.8.           Limitation on Dividends. If Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of

21




the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).

Section 3.9.           Covenants as to the Trust. For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company’s ownership of such Common Securities.  The Company, as owner of the Common Securities, shall, except in connection with a distribution of Debentures to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Debentures.

Section 3.10.        Additional Junior Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and it shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, incur, issue or be obligated on any Additional Junior Indebtedness, either directly or indirectly, by way of guarantee, suretyship or otherwise, other than Additional Junior Indebtedness (i) that, by its terms, is expressly stated to be either junior and subordinate or pari passu in all respects to the Debentures, and (ii) of which the Company has notified (and, if then required under the applicable guidelines of the regulating entity, has received approval from) the Federal Reserve, if the Company is a bank holding company, or the OTS, if the Company is a savings and loan holding company.

ARTICLE IV.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 4.1.           Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a)           on each regular record date for the Debentures, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of the Debentures as of such record date; and

(b)           at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

22




except that no such lists need be furnished under this Section 4.1 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debenture registrar.

Section 4.2.           Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a)           The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Debentures registrar (if so acting) hereunder.  The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b)           In case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least 6 months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debentures with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debentures and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(1)           afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, or

(2)           inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the holders of all Debentures, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion.  If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

(c)           Each and every holder of Debentures, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless

23




of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).

ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 5.1.           Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a)           the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, following the nonpayment of any such interest for twenty or more consecutive Distribution Periods; or

(b)           the Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or

(c)           the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of the Debentures established as contemplated in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d)           a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(e)           the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or

(f)            the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated, dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence except in connection with (i) the distribution of the Debentures to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration.

If an Acceleration Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the

24




Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debentures and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default under Section 5.1(b) or (c) occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may proceed to remedy the default or breach thereunder by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee or such holders shall deem most effectual to remedy the defaulted covenant or enforce the provisions of this Indenture so breached, either by suit in equity or by action at law, for damages or otherwise.

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided,(i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Additional Interest) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6, if any, and (ii) all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Debentures which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein — then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 5.2.           Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b) then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debentures for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with Additional Interest accrued on the Debentures (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect thereof); and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.  In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the

25




Company or any other obligor on such Debentures wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise,

(i)                                   to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debentures,

(ii)                                in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6), and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Debentures in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings,

(iii)                             to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and

(iv)                            to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses.

Any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to

26




represent all the holders of the Debentures, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Debentures parties to any such proceedings.

Section 5.3.           Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Debentures in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6;

Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article XV;

Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Debentures for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debentures, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Debentures (including Additional Interest); and

Fourth: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 5.4.           Proceedings by Securityholders. No holder of any Debenture shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debenture to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Debenture when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing itself of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures.  For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Section 5.5.           Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

27




Section 5.6.           Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6, all powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to the Debentures, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debentures to exercise any right, remedy or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right, remedy or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under Section 6.1) or by the Securityholders.

Section 5.7.           Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such Debentures; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver.  Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.  Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

Section 5.8.           Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Debenture Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debentures known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the

28




Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders.

Section 5.9.           Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.

ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1.           Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of Debentures issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, with respect to the Debentures, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  In case an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a)           prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred

(1)           the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debentures shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, and

(2)           in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

29




(b)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(c)           the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.7, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 6.2.           Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:

(a)           the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)           any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c)           the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d)           the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

(f)            the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the

30




Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;

(g)           the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and

(h)           with the exceptions of defaults under Sections 5.1(a) or (b), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debentures unless a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any holder of the Debentures.

Section 6.3.           No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures (except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same.  The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures.  The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the proceeds of any Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 6.4.           Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debenture registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Debenture registrar.

Section 6.5.           Moneys to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Managing Director, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.

Section 6.6.           Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct.  For purposes of clarification, this Section 6.6 does not contemplate the payment by the Company of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustee pursuant to the services to be provided by the Trustee under this Indenture or the fees and expenses of the Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture.  The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of

31




liability.  The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.  Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debentures.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d), (e) or (f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.

Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or any Debenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to advance funds to pay any principal of or interest on or other amounts with respect to the Debentures or otherwise advance funds to or on behalf of the Company.

Section 6.7.           Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 6.8.           Eligibility of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or whose obligations under this Indenture are guaranteed by an affiliate having) a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00) and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.8 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent records of condition so published.

The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.

In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.9.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of § 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner described by this Indenture.

32




Section 6.9.           Resignation or Removal of Trustee

(a)           The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee.  Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(b)           In case at any time any of the following shall occur —

(1)           the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months, or

(2)           the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

(3)           the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint successor Trustee.

(c)           Upon prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee unless within 10 Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case, or in the case of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.9 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor.

(d)           Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.

33




Section 6.10.        Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.9 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee thereunder.  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers.  Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.

If a successor Trustee is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debentures as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 6.8.

In no event shall a retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register.  If the Company fails to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

Section 6.11.        Succession by Merger, etc. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debentures or in this Indenture provided that the certificate

34




of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debentures in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 6.12.        Authenticating Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Debentures issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debentures; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of Debentures.  Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.00 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company.  The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debentures by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debentures as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Debenture Register.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.

The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services.  Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.

ARTICLE VII.
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 7.1.           Action by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking

35




of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Debentures voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d) by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such Debentures for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debentures have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 6 months after the record date.

Section 7.2.           Proof of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee.  The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture Register or by a certificate of the Debenture registrar.  The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

The record of any Securityholders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.6.

Section 7.3.           Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.  All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.

Section 7.4.           Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debentures which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided,

36




however, that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.  Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debentures and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

Section 7.5.           Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) or any holder as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) of a Debenture (or any Debenture issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debenture (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debenture). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE VIII.
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 8.1.           Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:

(a)           to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;

(b)           to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;

(c)           to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or

(d)           to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Debentures under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 8.2.           Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section 8.1, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debentures affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debentures

37




Register and, if the Company is not a holder of Debentures, to the Company.  Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Section 8.3.           Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.2.

Section 8.4.           Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Debentures with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debentures.  The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 8.5.           Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman.  A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, at any meeting each holder of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders.  Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 8.6.           Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Debentures held or represented by them.  The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting.  A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more

38




Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.2.  The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debentures voting in favor of or against any resolution.  The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Section 8.7.           Quorum; Actions. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding will constitute a quorum.  In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Securityholders, be dissolved.  In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting.  In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting.  Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be given only once not less than 5 days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.  Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding; provided, however, that, except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debentures duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.1.           Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

39




(a)           to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;

(b)           to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of Debentures as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debentures, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant restriction or condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;

(c)           to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures;

(d)           to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debentures, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange, registration or transfer of Debentures, including to provide for transfer procedures and restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the Capital Securities as required by Section 2.5 (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debentures is required under the Securities Act); provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures then outstanding (it being understood, for purposes of this proviso, that transfer restrictions on Debentures substantially similar to those that were applicable to Capital Securities shall not be deemed to materially adversely affect the holders of the Debentures);

(e)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debentures and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;

(f)            to make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or

(g)           to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debentures.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

40




Section 9.2                                   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the Debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided further, however, that if the consent of the Securityholder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such supplemental indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.3.                                Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 9.4.                                Notation on Debentures. Debentures authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the

41




Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding.

Section 9.5.                                Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.6, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX. The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.

ARTICLE X.
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 10.1.                         Optional Redemption. The Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 (the “Redemption Date”), at the Redemption Price.

Section 10.2.                         Special Event Redemption. If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right (subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval (i) if the Company is a bank holding company, from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or (ii) if the Company is a savings and loan holding company, from the OTS, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the OTS) to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the “Special Redemption Date”) at the Special Redemption Price. If the Special Event redemption occurs prior to the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, the Company shall appoint a Quotation Agent, which shall be a designee of the Institutional Trustee, for the purpose of performing the services contemplated in, or by reference in, the definition of Special Redemption Price. Any error in the calculation of the Special Redemption Price by the Quotation Agent or the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered to the Company and the holders of the Debentures. Subject to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of the Special Redemption Price on the Debentures by the Trustee or the Quotation Agent, as the case may be, shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith or manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the holders of the Debentures and the Company, and no liability shall attach (except as provided above) to the Trustee or the Quotation Agent in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by any of them of their respective powers, duties and discretion.

Section 10.3.                         Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Debentures, it shall cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date to the holders of Debentures so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debenture Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been

42




duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debenture.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the CUSIP number, if any, of the Debentures to be redeemed, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Redemption Price or the Special Redemption Price, as applicable, at which Debentures are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Debentures to be redeemed. In case the Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.

If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.

Section 10.4.                         Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.3, the Debentures or portions of Debentures with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debentures at the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable) interest on the Debentures or portions of Debentures so called for redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debentures at a place of payment specified in said notice, such Debentures or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.

Upon presentation of any Debenture redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debenture so presented.

ARTICLE XI.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 11.1.                         Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as

43




an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation, merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property.

Section 11.2.                         Successor Entity to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Debentures. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue in its own name, any or all of the Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Debentures which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Debentures which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Debentures had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Section 11.3.                         Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.5, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article XI complies with the provisions of this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 12.1.                         Discharge of Indenture. When

(a)                                  the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) and not theretofore canceled, or

(b)                                 all the Debentures not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within 1 year or are to be called for redemption within 1 year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable,

44




sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debentures (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.4, or (2) paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws,

and if in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9 and 12.4 hereof shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6 and 12.4 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debentures.

Section 12.2.        Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Debentures for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, and premium, if any, and interest.

Section 12.3.        Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debentures (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

Section 12.4.        Return of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debentures and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debentures for 2 years after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debentures, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall, subject to applicable escheatment laws, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debentures shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

ARTICLE XIII.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.1.        Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any

45




successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.

ARTICLE XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 14.1.        Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 14.2.        Official Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

Section 14.3.        Surrender of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.

Section 14.4.        Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made, furnished or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on or to the Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, 900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300, Escondido, California 92025, Attention: L. Bruce Mills, Jr.. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand on or to any Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the address set forth in the Debenture Register.

Section 14.5.        Governing Law. This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

Section 14.6.        Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or

46




opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 14.7.        Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 14.8.        Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 14.9.        Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Debentures, but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

Section 14.10.      Assignment. The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto.

Section 14.11.      Acknowledgment of Rights. The Company agrees that, with respect to any Debentures held by the Trust or the Institutional Trustee of the Trust, if the Institutional Trustee of the Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of Debentures held as the assets of such Trust after the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such Trust have so directed such Institutional Trustee, a holder of record of such Capital Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Institutional Trustee’s rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such trustee or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest (or premium, if any) or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest (or premium, if any) or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company agrees that a holder of record of Capital Securities of the Trust may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder directly of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures.

ARTICLE XV.
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

Section 15.1.        Agreement to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

47




The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all Debentures shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred; provided, however, that the Debentures shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures due March 23, 2030 issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March 23, 2000 by and between the Company and The Bank of New York; and the Company’s Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due September 17, 2033 issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of September 17, 2003 by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association.

No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 15.2.        Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company following any grace period, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or canceled and such Senior Indebtedness has not been paid in full, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.2, such payment shall, subject to Section 15.7, be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Section 15.3.        Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company, on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debentures. Upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Company, or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the Trustee.

48




In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article XV, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect to the Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article XI of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article XI of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 15.2 or in this Section shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6 of this Indenture.

Section 15.4.        Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures shall be paid in full. For the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Debentures be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of

49




such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.5.        Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by such Securityholder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 15.6.        Notice by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least 2 Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within 2 Business Days prior to such date.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, 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.

50




Section 15.7.        Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

Section 15.8.        Subordination May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debentures to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, and any other Person.

Signatures appear on the following page

51




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

Name:

Michael J. Perdue

 

 

Title:

President & CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

 

Name:

Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

52




EXHIBIT A

FORM OF FIXED/FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST

DEBENTURE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY

A-1




SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture

of

Community Bancorp Inc.

August 15, 2005

Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received promises to pay to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as Institutional Trustee for Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III (the “Holder”) or registered assigns, the principal sum of twenty million six hundred nineteen thousand dollars ($20,619,000.00) on September 15, 2035, and to pay interest on said principal sum from August 15, 2005, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) (it being understood that interest accrues for any such non-Business Day during the applicable Distribution Period, beginning on or after September 15, 2010), commencing on the Interest Payment Date in September 2005, at an annual rate equal to 5.85% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 1.69% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment, and on any overdue principal

A-2




and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period, compounded quarterly, from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment.  The amount of interest payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on the Interest Payment Date in September 2010 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.  The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be fifteen Business Days prior to the day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs.  Any such interest installment not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority:  (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.  If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.  As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.

The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all

A-3




dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

The principal of and interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register if a request for a wire transfer by such holder has not been received by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Trustee.

So long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable). No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date.  During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”).  At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to engage in any of the activities or transactions described on the reverse side hereof and in the Indenture.  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.  No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest.  The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or extend an Extension Period by the close of business at least 15 Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend such Extension Period.

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

A-4




This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

A-5




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this certificate.

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

A-6




[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]

This Debenture is one of the fixed/floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to the Indenture dated as of August 15, 2005 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and the Trustee, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures.  The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal amount as specified in the Indenture.

Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event prior to the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event, at the Special Redemption Price.

In addition, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in September 2010, at the Redemption Price.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.

If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days, respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.

In case an Acceleration Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures shall become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

A-7




The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof or of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver.  Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.  Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, on this Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

The Company has agreed that if Debentures are initially issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above,  (1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the

A-8




dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).

The Debentures are issuable only in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions and limitations as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Debenture is transferable by the holder hereof on the Debenture Register of the Company.  Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2 of the Indenture, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount.  All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to, the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.  All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.

Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Debenture shall have the meanings assigned in the Indenture dated as of the date of original issuance of this Debenture between the Trustee and the Company.

THE INDENTURE AND THE DEBENTURES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

A-9




EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO TRUSTEE

Pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Indenture between Community Bancorp Inc., as the Company (the “Company”), and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of August 15, 2005 (the “Indenture”), the undersigned hereby certifies as follows:

1.                                       In my capacity as an officer of the Company, I would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company during the last fiscal year in the performance of any covenants of the Company contained in the Indenture.

2.                                       [To my knowledge, the Company is not in default in the performance of any covenants contained in the Indenture.

or, alternatively:

I am aware of the default(s) in the performance of covenants in the Indentures, as specified below.]

Capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined herein, have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate.

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

B-1




FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) is dated as of October 26, 2006, by and between First Community Bancorp, a California corporation (the “Successor Company”), and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Existing Issuer”), and the Trustee entered into an Indenture dated as of August 15, 2005 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Debentures”) have been issued by the Existing Issuer; and

WHEREAS, on the date of this Supplemental Indenture, the Existing Issuer has been merged with and into the Successor Company, with the Successor Company being the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), whereupon the separate corporate existence of the Existing Issuer has ceased; and

WHEREAS, Section 11.1 of the Indenture requires that the Successor Company expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee by the Successor Company, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and the interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be kept or performed by the Existing Issuer; and

WHEREAS, Section 9.1(a) of the Indenture authorizes, without the consent of any Securityholders, the execution of a supplemental indenture to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Existing Issuer, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Existing Issuer under the Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Existing Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Merger and this Supplemental Indenture comply with Article IX of the Indenture and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to the Merger have been complied with; and

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in compliance with Section 11.1 of the Indenture, and in consideration of the covenants contained herein and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Successor Company and the Trustee, for the benefit of the Securityholders, agree as follows:

1.             Assumption of Payment and Performance.  (a)  The Successor Company hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture on the part of the Existing Issuer to be performed or observed.




(b)  Pursuant to Section 11.2 of the Indenture, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Existing Issuer, and may exercise every right and power of, the Existing Issuer under the Indenture with the same effect as if the Successor Company had originally been the Existing Issuer under the Indenture.

2.             Effect of Supplemental Indenture.  (a)  Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, (i) the Indenture has been and hereby is modified in accordance herewith; (ii) this Supplemental Indenture forms a part of the Indenture for all purposes; (iii) except as modified and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture shall continue in full force and effect; (iv) the Debentures shall continue to be governed by the Indenture; and (v) every Securityholder heretofore or hereafter under the Indenture shall be bound by this Supplemental Indenture.

(b)  Upon the effectiveness of this Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “herein” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

(c)  Upon the effectiveness of this Supplemental Indenture, all references in each of the Debentures, and in the other documents and instruments executed in connection therewith, to the Indenture, including each term defined by reference to the Indenture, shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture or such term, as the case may be, as affected, amended and supplemented hereby.

3.             Conditions of Effectiveness.  This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective at the effective time of the Merger following executions of the Trustee and the Successor Company of counterparts of this Supplemental Indenture.

4.             Notation on Debentures.  Debentures authenticated and delivered on or after the date hereof shall bear the following notation, which may be printed or typewritten thereon:

“Effective October 26, 2006, Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), was merged with and into First Community Bancorp, a California corporation (the “Successor Company”).  Pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 26, 2006, the Successor Company has assumed the obligations of the Issuer and the performance of every covenant and condition of the Indenture on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed.”

If the Successor Company shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform to the Indenture as hereby supplemented, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, may at any time hereafter be prepared and executed by the Successor Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding, and thereafter the notation herein provided shall no longer be required. Anything herein or in the Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the failure to affix the notation herein provided as to any Debenture or to exchange any Debenture for a new Debenture modified as herein provided shall not affect any of the rights of the holder of such Debenture.




5.             The Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein.

6.             Governing Law.  This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles thereof.

7.             Successors and Assigns.  This Supplemental Indenture shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto and the holders of any Debentures then outstanding.

8.             Headings.  The headings used in this Supplemental Indenture are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Supplemental Indenture.

9.             Counterparts.  This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(signature page follows)




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP, as Successor Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Victor R. Santoro

 

 

Name: Victor R. Santoro

 

Title:Executive Vice President and Chief
    Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christopher J. Slaybaugh

 

 

Name: Christopher J. Slaybaugh

 

Title: Senior Financial Services Officer

 



EX-10.18 6 a07-4181_1ex10d18.htm EX-10.18

Exhibit 10.18

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST

by and among

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
OF CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Institutional Trustee,

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP,
as Sponsor,

and
GEORGE LANGLEY, DONNA MILTENBERGER and CAROL ANN GRAF
as Administrators,

Dated as of December 19, 2002

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

1

Section 1.1.

Definitions

1

 

 

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

7

Section 2.1.

Name

7

Section 2.2.

Office

7

Section 2.3.

Purpose

7

Section 2.4.

Authority

7

Section 2.5.

Title to Property of the Trust

7

Section 2.6.

Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators

8

Section 2.7.

Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional Trustee

11

Section 2.8.

Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee

12

Section 2.9.

Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee and Administrators

13

Section 2.10.

Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee

14

Section 2.11.

Execution of Documents

16

Section 2.12.

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

16

Section 2.13.

Duration of Trust

16

Section 2.14.

Mergers

16

 

 

ARTICLE III SPONSOR

18

Section 3.1.

Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities

18

Section 3.2.

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

18

Section 3.3.

Expenses

18

Section 3.4.

Right to Proceed

19

 

 

ARTICLE IV INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS

19

Section 4.1.

Institutional Trustee; Eligibility

19

Section 4.2.

Administrators

20

Section 4.3.

Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Institutional Trustee and Administrators

20

Section 4.4.

Institutional Trustee Vacancies

21

Section 4.5.

Effect of Vacancies

21

Section 4.6.

Meetings of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators

21

Section 4.7.

Delegation of Power

22

Section 4.8.

Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

22

 

 

ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS

22

Section 5.1.

Distributions

22

 

 

ARTICLE VI ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

22

Section 6.1.

General Provisions Regarding Securities

22

Section 6.2.

Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

23

Section 6.3.

Form and Dating

23

Section 6.4.

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

24

Section 6.5.

Temporary Securities

24

Section 6.6.

Cancellation

24

 

i




 

Section 6.7.

Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults

24

 

 

ARTICLE VII DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

26

Section 7.1.

Dissolution and Termination of Trust

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

27

Section 8.1.

General

27

Section 8.2.

Transfer Procedures and Restrictions

28

Section 8.3.

Deemed Security Holders

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS

30

Section 9.1.

Liability

30

Section 9.2.

Exculpation

30

Section 9.3.

Fiduciary Duty

31

Section 9.4.

Indemnification

31

Section 9.5.

Outside Businesses

33

Section 9.6.

Compensation; Fee

33

 

 

 

ARTICLE X ACCOUNTING

34

Section 10.1.

Fiscal Year

34

Section 10.2.

Certain Accounting Matters

34

Section 10.3.

Banking

34

Section 10.4.

Withholding

34

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

35

Section 11.1.

Amendments

35

Section 11.2.

Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE

37

Section 12.1.

Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee

37

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS

38

Section 13.1.

Notices

38

Section 13.2.

Governing Law

39

Section 13.3.

Intention of the Parties

39

Section 13.4.

Headings

39

Section 13.5.

Successors and Assigns

39

Section 13.6.

Partial Enforceability

39

Section 13.7.

Counterparts

39

 

 

 

Annex I

Terms of Securities

 

Exhibit A-l

Form of Capital Security Certificate

 

Exhibit A-2

Form of Common Security Certificate

 

Exhibit B

Specimen of Initial Debenture

 

Exhibit C

Placement Agreement

 

 

ii




AMENDED AND RESTATED

DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT STATUTORY TRUST I

December 19, 2002

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST (“Declaration”‘) dated and effective as of December 19, 2002, by the Institutional Trustee (as defined herein), the Administrators (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (as defined herein) to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;

WHEREAS, the Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor established Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I (the ‘Trust”), a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act (as defined herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of December 6, 2002 (the “Original Declaration”), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut on December 6, 2002, for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain debentures of the Debenture Issuer (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; and

WHEREAS, the Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration;

NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue the Trust as a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act and that this Declaration constitutes the governing instrument of such statutory trust, the Institutional Trustee declares that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.           Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)           Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)           a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout;

(c)           all references to “the Declaration” or “this Declaration” are to this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d)           all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified; and

1




(e)           a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Administrative Action” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Administrators” means each of George Langley, Donna Miltenberger and Carol Ann Graf, solely in such Person’s capacity as Administrator of the Trust created and continued hereunder and not in such Person’s individual capacity, or such Administrator’s successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor appointed as herein provided.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Authorized Officer” of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person:

(a)           a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(b)           such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of such Person of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Hartford, Connecticut are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.

Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in paragraph l(a) of Annex I.

Capital Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l.

Capital Treatment Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Certificate” means any certificate evidencing Securities.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Placement Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Common Securities” has the meaning set forth in paragraph l(b) of Annex I.

2




Common Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

Company Indemnified Person” means (a) any Administrator; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrator; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrator; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Declaration is located at 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.

Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(a) of Annex I.

Covered Person” means: (a) any Administrator, officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) any of the Trust’s Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

Creditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Debenture Issuer” means Foothill Independent Bancorp, a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.

Debenture Trustee” means State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.

Debentures” means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2032 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Direct Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(d).

Distribution” means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 5.1.

Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Distribution Period” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(a) of Annex I.

Distribution Rate” means, for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003, 4.66%, and for the period beginning on (and including) March 26, 2003 and thereafter, the Coupon Rate.

Event of Default” means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a)           the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default; or

3




(b)           default by the Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price of any Security when it becomes due and payable; or

(c)           default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Institutional Trustee in this Declaration (other than those specified in clause (a) or (b) above) and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail to the Institutional Trustee and to the Sponsor by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding Capital Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d)           the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Institutional Trustee if a successor Institutional Trustee has not been appointed within 90 days thereof.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Federal Reserve” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Fiduciary Indemnified Person” shall mean the Institutional Trustee, any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee.

Fiscal Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date, of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital Securities.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Statutory Trust Act.

Indemnified Person” means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary Indemnified Person.

Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of the Closing Date, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued, as such Indenture and any supplemental indenture may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Indenture Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Indenture.

Institutional Trustee” means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 4.1.

Interest” means any interest due on the Debentures including any Additional Interest and Defaulted Interest.

Investment Company” means an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Investment Company Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

4




Liquidation” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Officers’ Certificates” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant providing for it in this Declaration shall include:

(a)           a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)           a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

(c)           a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

OTS” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 6.2.

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

Placement Agreement” means the Placement Agreement relating to the offering and sale of Capital Securities in the form of Exhibit C.

Property Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(c).

Pro Rata” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8 of Annex I.

Quorum” means a majority of the Administrators or, if there are only two Administrators, both of them.

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Redemption/Distribution Notice” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(e) of Annex I.

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

5




Registrar” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Securities Legend” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).

Rule 3a-5” means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.

Rule 3a-7” means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.

Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Special Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Special Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Special Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Sponsor” means Foothill Independent Bancorp, a Delaware corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.

Statutory Trust Act” means Chapter 615 of Title 34 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 500, et seq. as may be amended from time to time.

Successor Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(b).

Successor Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).

Successor Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(b).

Super Majority” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 5(b) of Annex I.

Tax Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

10% in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Transfer Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

6




Treasury Regulations” means the income tax regulations, including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Trust Property” means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Property Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Declaration.

U.S. Person” means a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1.           Name. The Trust is named “Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I,” as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators following written notice to the Holders of the Securities. The Trust’s activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrators.

Section 2.2.           Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. On at least 10 Business Days written notice to the Holders of the Securities, the Administrators may designate another principal office, which shall be in a state of the United States or in the District of Columbia.

Section 2.3.           Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell the Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (b) to invest the gross proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, (c) to facilitate direct investment in the assets of the Trust through issuance of the Common Securities and the Capital Securities and (d) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.

Section 2.4.           Authority. Except as specifically provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Institutional Trustee in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Institutional Trustee acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Institutional Trustee to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Institutional Trustee as set forth in this Declaration. The Administrators shall have only those ministerial duties set forth herein with respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Trust and are not intended to be trustees or fiduciaries with respect to the Trust or the Holders. The Institutional Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be obligated except as provided in Section 2.6, to perform those duties assigned to the Administrators.

Section 2.5.           Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 2.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust.

7




Section 2.6.           Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators.

(a)           The Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with the terms of this Declaration. Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with the following provisions (i) and (ii), the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the Institutional Trustee to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators, as the case may be, under this Declaration, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without limitation, the following:

(i)            Each Administrator shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A) the issuance and sale of the Securities;

(B) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute and deliver on behalf of the Trust, such agreements as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and function of the Trust, including agreements with the Paying Agent;

(C) ensuring compliance with the Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws;

(D) the sending of notices (other than notices of default), and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(E) the consent to the appointment of a Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with this Declaration, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

(F) execution and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Declaration;

(G) execution and delivery of closing certificates pursuant to the Placement Agreement and the application for a taxpayer identification number;

(H) unless otherwise determined by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities or as otherwise required by the Statutory Trust Act, to execute on behalf of the Trust (either acting alone or together with any or all of the Administrators) any documents that the Administrators have the power to execute pursuant to this Declaration;

(I) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder);

(J) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; and

8




(K) to duly prepare and file all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust on behalf of the Trust.

(ii)           As among the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee shall have the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A) the establishment of the Property Account;

(B) the receipt of the Debentures;

(C) the collection of interest, principal and any other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Property Account;

(D) the distribution through the Paying Agent of amounts owed to the Holders in respect of the Securities;

(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of the Debentures;

(F) the sending of notices of default and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the terms of this Declaration;

(H) to the extent provided in this Declaration, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut;

(I) after any Event of Default (provided that such Event of Default is not by or with respect to the Institutional Trustee) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration and protect and conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder); and

(J) to take all action that may be necessary for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust’s valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Connecticut and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created.

(iii)          The Institutional Trustee shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to any of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrators set forth in Section 2.6(a)(i)(D), (E) and (F) herein but shall not have a duty to do any such act unless specifically requested to do so in writing by the Sponsor, and shall then be fully protected in acting pursuant to such written request; and in the event of a conflict between the action of the Administrators and the action of the Institutional Trustee, the action of the Institutional Trustee shall prevail.

9




(b)           So long as this Declaration remains in effect, the Trust (or the Institutional Trustee or Administrators acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Institutional Trustee nor the Administrators may cause the Trust to (i) acquire any investments or engage in any activities not authorized by this Declaration, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly provided herein, (iii) take any action that would reasonably be expected (x) to cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes or (y) to require the trust to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other debt or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement of a lien on any of the Trust Property. The Institutional Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Trust, defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any lien on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Holders in their capacity as Holders.

(c)           In connection with the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions taken by the Sponsor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this Declaration are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):

(i)            the taking of any action necessary to obtain an exemption from the Securities Act;

(ii)           the determination of the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and the determination of any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and the advice to the Administrators of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and the preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States in connection with the sale of the Capital Securities;

(iii)          the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery of, the Placement Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital Securities; and

(iv)          the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry out any of the foregoing activities.

(d)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the Trust so that the Trust will not (i) be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, and (ii) fail to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes. The Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities shall not take any action inconsistent with the treatment of the Debentures as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable laws, the Certificate of Trust or this Declaration, as amended from time to time, that each of the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities determines in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes.

10




(e)           All expenses incurred by the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor, and the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall have no obligations with respect to such expenses.

(f)            The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.

(g)           Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators for the benefit of the Trust in accordance with this Declaration.

(h)           If the Institutional Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Declaration and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Institutional Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Sponsor, the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 2.7.           Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional Trustee.

(a)           The Trust shall not, and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to:

(i)            invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;

(ii)           acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;

(iii)          possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose;

(iv)          make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans represented by the Debentures;

(v)           possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever other than as expressly provided herein;

(vi)          issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities;

(vii)         carry on any “trade or business” as that phrase is used in the Code; or

(viii)        other than as provided in this Declaration (including Annex I), (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion of counsel to the effect that such modification will not cause the Trust to cease to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes.

11




Section 2.8.           Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee.

(a)           The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust and the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 4.3. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

(b)           The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest in the Debentures to the Administrators.

(c)           The Institutional Trustee shall:

(i)            establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the “Property Account”) in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee, and maintained in the Institutional Trustee’s trust department, on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Account and make payments, or cause the Paying Agent to make payments, to the Holders of the Capital Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property Account in accordance with Section 5.1. Funds in the Property Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration;

(ii)           engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and

(iii)          upon written notice of distribution issued by the Administrators in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee may bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action with respect to, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against, the Trust which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or arises out of the Institutional Trustee’s duties and obligations under this Declaration; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder (a “Direct Action”) on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of the Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct Action; provided, however, that no Holder of the Common Securities may exercise such right of subrogation so long as an Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities has occurred and is continuing.

(e)           The Institutional Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee until either:

12




(i)            the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of the Securities and this Declaration; or

(ii)           a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 4.3.

(f)            The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a Holder of the Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee may, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration (including Annex I) and the terms of the Securities.

The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 2.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3.

Section 2.9.           Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee and Administrators.

(a)           The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.7), the Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b)           The duties and responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall be as provided by this Declaration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional Trustee or Administrators to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate protection against such risk of liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Institutional Trustee or Administrators shall be subject to the provisions of this Article. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed to relieve an Administrator or the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent act, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator has duties and liabilities relating to the Trust or to the Holders, the Institutional Trustee or such Administrator shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Holder for the Institutional Trustee’s or such Administrator’s good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sponsor and the Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee.

(c)           All payments made by the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect of the Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue and proceeds from the Trust

13




Property to the extent legally available for distribution to it as herein provided and that the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Security or for any other liability in respect of any Security. This Section 2.9(c) does not limit the liability of the Institutional Trustee expressly set forth elsewhere in this Declaration.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for its own acts or omissions hereunder except as a result of its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)            the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(ii)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities, as applicable, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iii)          the Institutional Trustee’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for its fiduciary accounts generally, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iv)          the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor; and money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 2.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and

(v)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrators or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrators or the Sponsor.

Section 2.10.        Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.9:

(a)           the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall fully be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, opinion of counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)           if (i) in performing its duties under this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, (ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained herein, or (iii) the Institutional Trustee is unsure of the application of any provision of this Declaration, then, except as to any matter as to which the Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote under the

14




terms of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee may deliver a notice to the Sponsor requesting the Sponsor’s written instructions as to the course of action to be taken and the Institutional Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as the Institutional Trustee shall be instructed in writing, in which event the Institutional Trustee shall have no liability except for its own negligence or willful misconduct;

(c)           any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrators contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

(d)           whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may request and conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate as to factual matters which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrators;

(e)           the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;

(f)            the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection (which counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance with such advice; the Institutional Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;

(g)           the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Institutional Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; provided, that nothing contained in this Section 2.10(g) shall be taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, subject to Section 2.9(b), upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;

(h)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Holders, but the Institutional Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

(i)            the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or attorneys and the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(j)            whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Capital Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Capital

15




Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such instructions;

(k)           except as otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration;

(1)           when the Institutional Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or law relating to creditors rights generally;

(m)          the Institutional Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Institutional Trustee receives written notice of such event from any Holder, the Sponsor or the Debenture Trustee;

(n)           any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action; and

(o)           no provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Institutional Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Institutional Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

Section 2.11.        Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined in writing by the Institutional Trustee, and except as otherwise required by the Statutory Trust Act, the Institutional Trustee, or any one or more of the Administrators, as the case may be, is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators, as the case may be, have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.

Section 2.12.        Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Institutional Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Institutional Trustee makes no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Institutional Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration, the Debentures or the Securities.

Section 2.13.        Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless earlier dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VII hereof, shall be in existence for 35 years from the Closing Date.

Section 2.14.        Mergers.

(a)           The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other

16




body, except as described in Section 2.14(b) and (c) and except in connection with the liquidation of the Trust and the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(iv) of the Declaration or Section 4 of Annex I.

(b)           The Trust may, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any state; provided that:

(i)            if the Trust is not the surviving entity, such successor entity (the “Successor Entity”) either:

(A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or

(B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Securities (the “Successor Securities”) so that the Successor Securities rank the same as the Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

(ii)           the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity that possesses substantially the same powers and duties as the Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;

(iii)          such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect;

(iv)          the Institutional Trustee receives written confirmation from Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization that rates securities issued by the initial purchaser of the Capital Securities that it will not reduce or withdraw the rating of any such securities because of such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement;

(v)           such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the Trust;

(vi)          prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:

(A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect;

(B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an Investment Company; and

(C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes;

(vii)         the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee;

17




(viii)        the Sponsor owns 100% of the common securities of any Successor Entity; and

(ix)           prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Institutional Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate of the Administrators and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent under this Section 2.14(b) to such transaction have been satisfied.

(c)           Notwithstanding Section 2.14(b), the Trust shall not, except with the consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE III

SPONSOR

Section 3.1.           Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the Trust in an amount at least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Capital Securities are sold.

Section 3.2.           Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in, or direct the Administrators to engage in, the following activities:

(a)           to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States; and

(b)           to negotiate the terms of and/or execute on behalf of the Trust, the Placement Agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the Capital Securities.

Section 3.3.           Expenses. In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Debentures to the Trust and in connection with the sale of the Securities by the Trust, the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, shall:

(a)           pay all reasonable costs and expenses owing to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Indenture;

(b)           be responsible for and shall pay all debts and obligations (other than with respect to the Securities) and all costs and expenses of the Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities (including fees to the placement agents in connection therewith), the costs and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators, the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust, including, without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and computing or accounting equipment, Paying Agents, Registrars, Transfer Agents, duplicating, travel and telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition of Trust assets and the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee of the rights of the Holders (for purposes of clarification, this Section 3.3(b) does not contemplate the

18




payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the services to be provided by the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Institutional Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Declaration); and

(c)           pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.

The Sponsor’s obligations under this Section 3.3 shall be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, any Person to whom such debts, obligations, costs, expenses and taxes are owed (a “Creditor”) whether or not such Creditor has received notice hereof. Any such Creditor may enforce the Sponsor’s obligations under this Section 3.3 directly against the Sponsor and the Sponsor irrevocably waives any right or remedy to require that any such Creditor take any action against the Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the Sponsor. The Sponsor agrees to execute such additional agreements as may be necessary or desirable in order to give full effect to the provisions of this Section 3.3.

Section 3.4.           Right to Proceed. The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of Holders to institute a Direct Action as set forth in Section 2.8(d) hereto.

ARTICLE IV

INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS

Section 4.1.           Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           There shall at all times be one Institutional Trustee which shall:

(i)            not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;

(ii)           not offer or provide credit or credit enhancement to the Trust; and

(iii)          be a banking corporation or trust company organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(iii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b)           If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 4.3(a).

(c)           If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Institutional Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Declaration.

(d)           The initial Institutional Trustee shall be State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association.

19




Section 4.2.           Administrators. Each Administrator shall be a U.S. Person, 21 years of age or older and authorized to bind the Sponsor. The initial Administrators shall be George Langley, Donna Miltenberger and Carol Ann Graf. There shall at all times be at least one Administrator. Except where a requirement for action by a specific number of Administrators is expressly set forth in this Declaration and except with respect to any action the taking of which is the subject of a meeting of the Administrators, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Administrators may be taken by, and any power of the Administrators may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Administrator.

Section 4.3.           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Institutional Trustee and Administrators.

(a)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Declaration, no resignation or removal of the Institutional Trustee and no appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the Successor Institutional Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.3.

Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Institutional Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders of the Securities and by appointing a Successor Institutional Trustee. Upon the resignation of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from at least three Persons meeting the eligibility requirements, its expenses and charges to serve as the successor Institutional Trustee on a form provided by the Administrators, and selecting the Person who agrees to the lowest expense and charges (the “Successor Institutional Trustee”). If the instrument of acceptance by the Successor Institutional Trustee required by this Section 4.3 shall not have been delivered to the Institutional Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation or delivery of the instrument of removal, the Institutional Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Trust, any Federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of such successor pursuant to this Section 4.3.

The Institutional Trustee may be removed by the act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, delivered to the Institutional Trustee (in its individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If the Institutional Trustee shall be so removed, the Holders of Capital Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding delivered to the Institutional Trustee, shall promptly appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee, and such Successor Institutional Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.3. If no Successor Institutional Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by this Section 4.3, within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of removal, any Holder who has been a Holder of the Securities for at least 6 months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any Federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of the Successor Institutional Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee.

The Institutional Trustee shall give notice of its resignation and removal and each appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 13.1(d) and shall give notice to the Sponsor. Each notice shall include the name of the Successor Institutional Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(b)           In case of the appointment hereunder of a Successor Institutional Trustee, the retiring Institutional Trustee and the Successor Institutional Trustee shall execute and deliver an amendment

20




hereto wherein the Successor Institutional Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, the Successor Institutional Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Institutional Trustee with respect to the Securities and the Trust and (ii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Declaration as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust by more than one Institutional Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such Institutional Trustees co-trustees and upon the execution and delivery of such amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Institutional Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each Successor Institutional Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Institutional Trustee; but, on request of the Trust or any Successor Institutional Trustee such retiring Institutional Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Successor Institutional Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money held by such retiring Institutional Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities and the Trust.

(c)           No Institutional Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee.

(d)           The Holders of the Capital Securities will have no right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Holder of the Common Securities.

Section 4.4.           Institutional Trustee Vacancies. If the Institutional Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Institutional Trustee shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a trustee appointed in accordance with Section 4.3.

Section 4.5.           Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of the Institutional Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, terminate or annul the Trust or terminate this Declaration.

Section 4.6.           Meetings of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators. Meetings of the Administrators shall be held from time to time upon the call of an Administrator. Regular meetings of the Administrators may be held in person in the United States or by telephone, at a place (if applicable) and time fixed by resolution of the Administrators. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Institutional Trustee with the Administrators or meetings of the Administrators shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Institutional Trustee with the Administrators or meetings of the Administrators or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the grounds that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators, as the case may be, may be taken at a meeting by vote of the Institutional Trustee or a majority vote of the Administrators present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators. Meetings of the

21




Institutional Trustee and the Administrators together shall be held from time to time upon the call of the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator.

Section 4.7.           Delegation of Power.

(a)           Any Administrator may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 that is a U.S. Person his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.6; and

(b)           the Administrators shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Administrators or otherwise as the Administrators may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.

Section 4.8.           Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any Person into which the Institutional Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall be the successor of the Institutional Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

ARTICLE V

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1.           Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder’s Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of Interest or any principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a “Distribution”) of such amounts to Holders.

ARTICLE VI

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

Section 6.1.           General Provisions Regarding Securities.

(a)           The Administrators shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue one series of capital securities substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I and one series of common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I. The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Capital Securities rank pari passu to, and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with, the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I.

22




(b)           The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by one or more Administrators. Such signature shall be the facsimile or manual signature of any Administrator. In case any Administrator of the Trust who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrator before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates had not ceased to be such Administrator, and any Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be an Administrator of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such an Administrator. A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the facsimile or manual signature of an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been authenticated under this Declaration. Upon written order of the Trust signed by one Administrator, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue. The Institutional Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that is a U.S. Person acceptable to the Trust to authenticate the Capital Securities. A Common Security need not be so authenticated.

(c)           The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

(d)           Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and, except as provided in Section 9.1(b) with respect to the Common Securities, non-assessable.

(e)           Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration and the Guarantee.

Section 6.2.           Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trust shall maintain in Hartford, Connecticut, an office or agency where the Capital Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”), and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (the “Transfer Agent”). The Trust shall keep or cause to be kept at such office or agency a register for the purpose of registering Securities, transfers and exchanges of Securities, such register to be held by a registrar (the “Registrar”). The Administrators may appoint the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Transfer Agent and may appoint one or more additional Paying Agents or one or more co-Registrars, or one or more co-Transfer Agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, the term “Registrar” includes any additional registrar or co-Registrar and the term “Transfer Agent” includes any additional transfer agent. The Administrators may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar at any time without prior notice to any Holder. The Administrators shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar not a party to this Declaration. The Administrators hereby initially appoint the Institutional Trustee to act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates in the United States may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.

Section 6.3.           Form and Dating. The Capital Securities and the Institutional Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Declaration. Certificates may be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrators, as conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or

23




endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Sponsor). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-l to the Institutional Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated on or before the date of its authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-l and A-2 are part of the terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. Capital Securities will be issued only in blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.

The Capital Securities are being offered and sold by the Trust pursuant to the Placement Agreement in definitive, registered form without coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend.

Section 6.4.           Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

If:

(a)           any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Registrar, or if the Registrar shall receive evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and

(b)           there shall be delivered to the Registrar, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless;

then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by a protected purchaser, an Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall execute (and in the case of a Capital Security Certificate, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate) and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 6.4, the Registrar or the Administrators may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.

Section 6.5.           Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Administrators may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Administrators consider appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrators shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

Section 6.6.           Cancellation. The Administrators at any time may deliver Securities to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar shall forward to the Institutional Trustee any Securities surrendered to it for registration of transfer, redemption or payment. The Institutional Trustee shall promptly cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Securities as the Administrators direct. The Administrators may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation.

Section 6.7.           Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults.

(a)           The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.5, and the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their Securities

24




and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below. The Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth therein and in this Declaration. The Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights.

(b)           For so long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if upon an Indenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice in writing to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Debentures has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Debenture Trustee as provided in the Indenture, if the Institutional Trustee fails to annul any such declaration and waive such default, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, by written notice to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i)            the Debenture Issuer has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A) all overdue installments of interest on all of the Debentures,

(B) any accrued Additional Interest on all of the Debentures,

(C) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debentures that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest and Additional Interest thereon at the rate borne by the Debentures, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Debenture Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Debenture Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, their agents and counsel; and

(ii)           all Events of Default with respect to the Debentures, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Debentures that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.7 of the Indenture.

The Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default, except a default or Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest (unless such default or Event of Default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default or Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision that under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Upon receipt by the Institutional Trustee of written notice declaring such an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of any part of the Capital Securities, a record date shall be established for determining Holders of outstanding Capital Securities entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Institutional Trustee receives such notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that

25




unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day that is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is identical to a written notice that has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.7.

(c)           Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.7, the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

ARTICLE VII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

Section 7.1.           Dissolution and Termination of Trust.

(a)           The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of:

(i)            unless earlier dissolved, on December 26, 2037, the expiration of the term of the Trust;

(ii)           upon a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(iii)          (other than in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) upon (1) the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor and the consent of Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class to file a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust or (2) the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;

(iv)          upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities in accordance with Section 3 of Annex I;

(v)           upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities to dissolve the Trust as provided in Annex I hereto;

(vi)          upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(vii)         when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities; or

26




(viii)        before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and the Sponsor.

(b)           As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 7.1(a), and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, including of the Statutory Trust Act, and subject to the terms set forth in Annex I, the Institutional Trustee shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut.

(c)           The provisions of Section 2.9 and Article IX shall survive the termination of the Trust.

ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

Section 8.1.           General.

(a)           Subject to Section 8.1(c), where Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal number of Capital Securities represented by different certificates, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfer and exchanges, the Trust shall issue and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(b)           Upon issuance of the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities and for so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the Sponsor shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, under the Indenture that is a U.S. Person may succeed to the Sponsor’s ownership of the Common Securities.

(c)           Capital Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void and will be deemed to be of no legal effect whatsoever and any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder of such Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the receipt of Distributions on such Capital Securities, and such transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.

(d)           The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar shall cause one or more new Securities of the same tenor to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6. A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Security. By acceptance of a Security, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.

(e)           The Trust shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant

27




notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) to register the transfer or exchange of any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

Section 8.2.           Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.

(a)           The Capital Securities shall bear the Restricted Securities Legend, which shall not be removed unless there is delivered to the Trust such satisfactory evidence, which may include an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Trustee, as may be reasonably required by the Trust, that neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of the Securities Act. Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Institutional Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.

(b)           Except as permitted by Section 8.2(a), each Capital Security shall bear a legend (the “Restricted Securities Legend”) in substantially the following form and a Capital Security shall not be transferred except in compliance with such legend, unless otherwise determined by the Sponsor, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH

28




MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

(c)           To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trust shall execute and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(d)           Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to it.

(e)           All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the same benefits

29




under this Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Section 8.3.           Deemed Security Holders. The Trust, the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust, the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall have actual or other notice thereof.

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS

Section 9.1.           Liability.

(a)           Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Guarantee and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

(i)            personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; or

(ii)           required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of the Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

(b)           The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust’s assets.

(c)           Pursuant to the Statutory Trust Act, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Connecticut.

Section 9.2.           Exculpation.

(a)           No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)           An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected by such Indemnified Person with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts

30




pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

Section 9.3.           Fiduciary Duty.

(a)           To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Indemnified Person.

(b)           Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision:

(i)            in its “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

(ii)           in its “good faith” or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law.

Section 9.4.           Indemnification.

(a)           The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(b)           The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust; provided, however, that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application

31




that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

(c)           To the extent that an Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

(d)           Any indemnification of an Administrator under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b). Such determination shall be made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such Administrators who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

(e)           To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 shall be paid by the Sponsor in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 9.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrators, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrators, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such Indemnified Person did not believe to be in the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrators, independent legal counsel or the Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such Indemnified Person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.

(f)            The Institutional Trustee, at the sole cost and expense of the Sponsor, retains the right to representation by counsel of its own choosing in any action, suit or any other proceeding for which it is indemnified under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4, without affecting its right to indemnification hereunder or waiving any rights afforded to it under this Declaration or applicable law.

(g)           The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 9.4 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 9.4 shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this

32




Section 9.4 is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 9.4 shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

(h)           The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 9.4.

(i)            For purposes of this Section 9.4, references to “the Trust” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any Person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 9.4 with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.

(j)            The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 9.4 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, (i) continue as to a Person who has ceased to be an Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person; and (ii) survive the termination or expiration of this Declaration or the earlier removal or resignation of an Indemnified Person.

Section 9.5.           Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. None of any Covered Person, the Sponsor or the Institutional Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person and the Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

Section 9.6.           Compensation; Fee. The Sponsor agrees:

(a)           to pay to the Institutional Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Institutional Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Institutional Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of their respective agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

The provisions of this Section 9.6 shall survive the dissolution of the Trust and the termination of this Declaration and the removal or resignation of the Institutional Trustee.

33




No Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any property of the Trust as a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.6.

ARTICLE X

ACCOUNTING

Section 10.1.        Fiscal Year. The fiscal year (“Fiscal Year”) of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

Section 10.2.        Certain Accounting Matters.

(a)           At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrators shall keep, or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Trust in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained, at the Sponsor’s expense, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon (either separately or as part of the Sponsor’s regularly prepared consolidated financial report) as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.

(b)           The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities Form 1099 or such other annual United States federal income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrators shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.

(c)           The Administrators, at the Sponsor’s expense, shall cause to be duly prepared at the principal office of the Trust in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, and filed an annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority.

Section 10.3.        Banking. The Trust shall maintain in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Account. The sole signatories for such accounts (including the Property Account) shall be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

Section 10.4.        Withholding. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent and the Administrators shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent shall request, and each Holder shall provide to the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to the Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrators shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any

34




authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed overwithholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

Section 11.1.        Amendments.

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by the Institutional Trustee.

(b)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI, an amendment may be made, and any such purported amendment shall be valid and effective only if:

(i)            the Institutional Trustee shall have first received

(A) an Officers’ Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(ii)           the result of such amendment would not be to

(A) cause the Trust to cease to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; or

(B) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(c)           Except as provided in Section 11.1(d), (e) or (h), no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective unless the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities shall have consented to such amendment.

(d)           In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or change any conversion or exchange provisions or (ii) restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.

(e)           Section 8.1 (b) and 8.1(c) and this Section 11.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.

(f)            Article III shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

35




(g)           The rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities under Article IV to appoint and remove the Institutional Trustee shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(h)           This Declaration may be amended by the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities to:

(i)            cure any ambiguity;

(ii)           correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;

(iii)          add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor; or

(iv)          modify, eliminate or add to any provision of this Declaration to such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes at all times as a grantor trust and will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act (including without limitation to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5, Rule 3a-7 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Company Act or written change in interpretation or application thereof by any legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority) which amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences or privileges of the Holders of Securities;

provided, however, that no such modification, elimination or addition referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) shall adversely affect in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of Holders of Capital Securities.

Section 11.2.        Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent.

(a)           Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at any time by the Administrators (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration or the terms of the Securities. The Administrators shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrators one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of the Securities wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of the Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders of the Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities represented by such Certificates shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.

(b)           Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of the Securities:

(i)            notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders of the Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of the Securities owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities

36




in liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders of the Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Administrators may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Holders of the Securities for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Administrators;

(ii)           each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of the Securities executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Connecticut relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Connecticut corporation and the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Connecticut corporation; each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Administrators or by such other Person that the Administrators may designate; and

(iii)          unless the Statutory Trust Act, this Declaration, or the terms of the Securities otherwise provides, the Administrators, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders of the Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote; provided, however, that each meeting shall be conducted in the United States (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7).

ARTICLE XII

REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE

Section 12.1.        Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. The initial Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustee’s acceptance of its appointment as Institutional Trustee, that:

(a)           the Institutional Trustee is a national banking association with trust powers, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;

(b)           the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

37




(c)           the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and

(d)           no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.1.        Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied (which telecopy shall be followed by notice delivered or mailed by first class mail) or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)           if given to the Trust in care of the Administrators at the Trust’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I
c/o Foothill Independent Bancorp
675 West Terrace Drive
San Dimas, California 91773
Attention: Carol Ann Graf
Telecopy: 909-599-4796

(b)           if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association
225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attention: Vice President, Corporate Trust Department
Telecopy: 860-244-1889

With a copy to:

State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 778
Boston, Massachusetts 02102-0778
Attention: Paul D. Allen, Corporate Trust Department
Telecopy: 617-662-1462

(c)           if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):

Foothill Independent Bancorp
675 West Terrace Drive
San Dimas, California 91773
Attention: Carol Ann Graf
Telecopy: 909-599-4796

38




(d)           if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Trust.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 13.2.        Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of the State of Connecticut and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of laws of the State of Connecticut or any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Connecticut; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Institutional Trustee or this Declaration any provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Connecticut pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner inconsistent with the terms hereof (a) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (b) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (c) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (d) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (e) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, or (f) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets.

Section 13.3.        Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties.

Section 13.4.        Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof.

Section 13.5.        Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

Section 13.6.        Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

Section 13.7.        Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Institutional Trustee and Administrators to any of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page.

Signatures appear on the following page

39




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF

 

CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

 

Name: Paul D. Allen

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP, as Sponsor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Carol Ann Graf

 

 

 

Name: Carol Ann Graf

 

 

Title: Sr. VP - CFO & Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT STATUTORY TRUST I

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ George Langley

 

 

 

Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ D. Miltenberger

 

 

 

Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Carol Ann Graf

 

 

 

Administrator

 

40




ANNEX I

TERMS OF SECURITIES

Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of December 19, 2002 (as amended from time to time, the “Declaration”), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Declaration):

1.             Designation and Number.

(a)           8,000 Floating Rate Capital Securities of Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”), with an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of eight million dollars ($8,000,000.00) and a stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as the “Capital Securities”. The Capital Security Certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

(b)           248 Floating Rate Common Securities of the Trust (the “Common Securities”) will be evidenced by Common Security Certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

2.             Distributions.

(a)           Distributions will be payable on each Security for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003 at a rate per annum of 4.66% and shall bear interest for each successive period beginning on (and including) March 26, 2003, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Period”) at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 3.25% (the “Coupon Rate”); provided, however, that prior to December 26, 2007, the Coupon Rate shall not exceed 11.75%, applied to the stated liquidation amount thereof, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the applicable Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by law). A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. In the event that any date on which a Distribution is payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. The amount of interest payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Coupon Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period and multiplying each such amount by the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or ..09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all

I-1




dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

(b)           Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance, and will be payable, subject to extension of distribution payment periods as described herein, quarterly in arrears on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year, commencing on March 26, 2003 (each a “Distribution Payment Date”) when, as and if available for payment. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by deferring the payment of interest on the Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time, subject to the conditions described below, although such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures at the Distribution Rate compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by law) during any Extension Period. No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date and provided further, however, during any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer and its Affiliates shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Debenture Issuer’s or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Debenture Issuer) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing, or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Debenture Issuer or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors, consultants or independent contractors of the Debenture Issuer or its Subsidiaries, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into by the Debenture Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Debenture Issuer) for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the

I-2




record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

(c)           Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record dates. The relevant record dates shall be 15 days before the relevant Distribution Payment Date. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Payment Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, as the case may be, when due (taking into account any Extension Period), will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date.

(d)           In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

3.             Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust (each a “Liquidation”) other than in connection with a redemption of the Debentures, the Holders of the Securities will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of the Securities, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer), distributions equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment, to the extent the Trust shall have funds available therefor, and (ii) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Trust (such amount being, in either case, the “Liquidation Distribution”), unless in connection with such Liquidation, the Debentures in aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date as, such Securities, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust in accordance with the Statutory Trust Act, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities.

The Sponsor, as the Holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of a Special Event), subject to the receipt by the Debenture Issuer of prior approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of the Sponsor (the “Federal Reserve”), if the Sponsor is a bank holding company, or from the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of Sponsor, (the “OTS”) if the Sponsor is a savings and loan holding company, in either case if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, and, after

I-3




satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, cause the Debentures to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with the aggregate stated liquidation amount thereof.

If a Liquidation of the Trust occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) in Section 7.1 (a) of the Declaration, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Institutional Trustee as expeditiously as it determines to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the Securities, the Debentures on a Pro Rata basis to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, unless such distribution is determined by the Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to the Holders, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, an amount equal to the Liquidation Distribution. An early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 7.1 (a) of the Declaration shall occur if the Institutional Trustee determines that such Liquidation is possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust, to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis, the Debentures, and such distribution occurs.

If, upon any such Liquidation the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on such Capital Securities shall be paid to the Holders of the Trust Securities on a Pro Rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.

After the date for any distribution of the Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust (i) the Securities of the Trust will be deemed to be no longer outstanding, (ii) upon surrender of a Holder’s Securities certificate, such Holder of the Securities will receive a certificate representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing the Securities still outstanding will be deemed to represent undivided beneficial interests in such of the Debentures as have an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount with an interest rate identical to the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissuance (and until such certificates are so surrendered, no payments of interest or principal shall be made to Holders of Securities in respect of any payments due and payable under the Debentures; provided, however that such failure to pay shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default and shall not entitle the Holder to the benefits of the Guarantee), and (iv) all rights of Holders of Securities under the Declaration shall cease, except the right of such Holders to receive Debentures upon surrender of certificates representing such Securities.

4.             Redemption and Distribution.

(a)           The Debentures will mature on December 26, 2032. The Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, at any Distribution Payment Date on or after December 26, 2007, at the Redemption Price. In addition, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer at the Special Redemption Price, in whole but not in part, at any Distribution Payment Date, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event at the Special Redemption Price, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to holders of such Debentures so long as such Special Event is continuing. In each case, the right of the Debenture Issuer to redeem the Debentures is subject to the Debenture Issuer having received prior approval from the Federal Reserve (if the Debenture Issuer is a bank holding company) or prior approval from the OTS (if the Debenture Issuer is a savings and loan holding company), in each case if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the applicable federal agency.

3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority:

I-4




(1)           the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below). “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;

(2)           if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

(3)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

(4)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.

If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Coupon Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

Capital Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Sponsor will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Debentures as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Sponsor (or if the Sponsor is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Sponsor as if the Sponsor were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Sponsor to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Debentures as Tier 1 Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Sponsor having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the

I-5




Liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such Liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.

Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will be considered an Investment Company that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

Maturity Date” means December 26, 2032.

Redemption Date” shall mean the date fixed for the redemption of Capital Securities, which shall be any March 26, June 26, September 26 or December 26 commencing December 26, 2007.

Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.

Special Event” means a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event.

Special Redemption Date” means a date on which a Special Event redemption occurs, which shall be any March 26, June 26, September 26 or December 26.

Special Redemption Price” means (i) 107.5% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed on a Special Redemption Date that occurs before December 26, 2007 and (ii) 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed on a Special Redemption Date that occurs on December 26, 2007 or after, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.

Tax Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an “Administrative Action”)) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Debenture Issuer or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the

I-6




date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

(b)           Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in part of the Debentures (other than following the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem Pro Rata at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed; provided, however, that holders of such Securities shall be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice of such redemption (other than at the scheduled maturity of the Debentures).

(c)           If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Capital Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be redeemed will be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Capital Securities.

(d)           The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Capital Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Capital Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption.

(e)           Redemption or Distribution Procedures.

(i)            Notice of any redemption of or notice of distribution of the Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a “Redemption/Distribution Notice”) will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this paragraph 4(e)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of such Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of such Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.

(ii)           If the Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this paragraph 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then, provided that the Institutional Trustee has a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the Redemption Date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited as required then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit Distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price specified in paragraph 4(a), but without interest on such Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of any such Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the

I-7




immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Debenture Issuer as guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue at the Distribution Rate from the original Redemption Date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price. In the event of any redemption of the Capital Securities issued by the Trust in part, the Trust shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection for redemption of the Capital Securities and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Capital Securities to be so redeemed or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Capital Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Capital Securities being redeemed in part.

(iii)          Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Capital Securities, the Holders thereof and (B) in respect of the Common Securities, the Holder thereof.

(iv)          Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities laws), and provided that the acquiror is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

5.             Voting Rights - Capital Securities.

(a)           Except as provided under paragraphs 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights. The Administrators are required to call a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities if directed to do so by Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(b)           Subject to the requirements of obtaining a tax opinion by the Institutional Trustee in certain circumstances set forth in the last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture as the holder of the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent on behalf of all the Holders of the Capital Securities to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the holders of greater than a simple majority in aggregate principal amount of Debentures (a “Super Majority”) affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Debentures after the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of such Capital Securities have so directed the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a Holder of the Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s

I-8




rights under the Debentures without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date the interest or principal is payable (or in the case of redemption, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable), then a Holder of record of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment on or after the respective due dates specified in the Debentures, to such Holder directly of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder. The Institutional Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any default actually known to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the Debentures unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Capital Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of principal of or interest on any of the Debentures. Such notice shall state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes an Event of Default hereunder. Except with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Institutional Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of a Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities outstanding which the relevant Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default hereunder. Any required approval or direction of Holders of the Capital Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth the following information (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

Notwithstanding that Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such Capital Securities were not outstanding.

I-9




In no event will Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the Common Securities of the Trust. Under certain circumstances as more fully described in the Declaration, Holders of Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional Trustee.

6.             Voting Rights - Common Securities.

(a)           Except as provided under paragraphs 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Common Securities will have no voting rights.

(b)           The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance with Article IV of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Administrators.

(c)           Subject to Section 6.7 of the Declaration and only after each Event of Default (if any) with respect to the Capital Securities has been cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding this paragraph 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Holder of the Common Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Declaration, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other Person.

Any approval or direction of Holders of the Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Administrators will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of the Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

I-10




No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

7.             Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.

(a)           In addition to any requirements under Section 11.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Institutional Trustee, Sponsor or Administrators otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the Liquidation of the Trust, other than as described in Section 7.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected thereby; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Capital Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.

(b)           In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to the Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the Trust to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as other than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee or (iii) cause the Trust to be deemed an Investment Company which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(d)           Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the right of any Holder of the Capital Securities to receive payment of distributions and other payments upon redemption or otherwise, on or after their respective due dates, or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder. For the protection and enforcement of the foregoing provision, each and every Holder of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or equity.

8.             Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution or treatment as being “Pro Rata” shall mean pro rata to each Holder of the Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities then outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of the Common Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate

I-11




liquidation amount of the Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.

9.             Ranking. The Capital Securities rank pari passu with and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive payment of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities with the result that no payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all outstanding Capital Securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) the full amount of such Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) on all outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Institutional Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.

10.           Acceptance of Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, by the acceptance of such Securities, agrees to the provisions of the Guarantee, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.

11.           No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.

12.           Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

I-12




EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE

A-1-1




MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WELL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DECLARATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Certificate Number P-l

 

8,000 Capital Securities

 

December 19, 2002

Certificate Evidencing Floating Rate Capital Securities

of

Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I

(liquidation amount $1,000.00 per Capital Security)

Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that Hare & Co. (the “Holder”), as the nominee of The Bank of New York, indenture trustee under the Indenture dated as of December 19, 2002 among Preferred Term Securities VIII, Ltd., Preferred Term Securities VIII, Inc. and The Bank of New York is the registered owner of capital securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (liquidation amount $1,000.00 per capital security) (the “Capital Securities”). Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of December 19, 2002, among George Langley, Donna Miltenberger and Carol Ann Graf as Administrators, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Institutional Trustee, Foothill Independent Bancorp, as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.

A-1-2




Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

Signatures appear on following page

A-1-3




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT STATUTORY TRUST I

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF

 

CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as the Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

A-1-4




[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at an annual rate equal to 4.66% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) March 26, 2003, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 3.25% (the “Coupon Rate”); provided, however, that prior to December 26, 2007, the Coupon Rate shall not exceed 11.75%, applied to the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than a quarterly period will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes payments of Interest and any principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period. In the event that any date on which a Distribution is payable on this Capital Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any Distribution or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. The amount of interest payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Coupon Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period and multiplying each such amount by the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

A-1-5




The Coupon Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or ..09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year, commencing on March 26, 2003. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, although such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law during any Extension Period. No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-1-6




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital Security Certificate to:

                                                                                                                                      

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)                                   

                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                      

(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints

                                                                                                                                      

agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:(1)


(1) Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-1-7




EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.

THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 8.1 OF THE DECLARATION.

Certificate Number C-l

 

248 Common Securities

 

December 19, 2002

Certificate Evidencing Floating Rate Common Securities

of

Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I

Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that Foothill Independent Bancorp (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the “Common Securities”). The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of December 19, 2002, among George Langley, Donna Miltenberger and Carol Ann Graf, as Administrators, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Institutional Trustee, Foothill Independent Bancorp as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

As set forth in the Declaration, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption or otherwise are subordinated to the rights of payment of Holders of the Capital Securities.

Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Common Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

A-2-1




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT STATUTORY TRUST I

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

A-2-2




[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Common Security will be identical in amount to the Distributions payable on each Capital Security, which is at an annual rate equal to 4.66% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) March 26, 2003 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) March 26, 2003, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 3.25% (the “Coupon Rate”); provided, however, that prior to December 26, 2007, the Coupon Rate shall not exceed 11.75%, applied to the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest thereon compounded at the Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes payments of Interest and any principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period. In the event that any date on which a Distribution is payable on this Common Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any Distribution or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. The amount of interest payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Coupon Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period and multiplying each such amount by the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

A-2-3




The Coupon Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Common Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year, commencing on March 26, 2003. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, although such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate compounded quarterly to the extent permitted by law during any Extension Period. No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Sponsor shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Sponsor may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Sponsor may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-2-4




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security Certificate to:

                                                                                                                                      

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)                                   

                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                      

(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints

                                                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                              agent to transfer this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security

Certificate)

 

Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this common Security

Certificate)

 

Signature Guarantee(2)


(2) Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union, meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-2-5




EXHIBIT B

SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE

(See Tab No. 16)

B-1




EXHIBIT C

PLACEMENT AGREEMENT

(See Tab No. 1)

C-1



EX-10.19 7 a07-4181_1ex10d19.htm EX-10.19

Exhibit 10.19

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

by and between

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP

and

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
OF CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Dated as of December 19, 2002

 




GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “Guarantee”), dated as of December 19, 2002, is executed and delivered by Foothill Independent Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, a national banking association, organized under the laws of the United States of America, as trustee (the “Guarantee Trustee”), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I, a Connecticut statutory trust (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”), dated as of the date hereof among State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as institutional trustee, the administrators of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof those undivided beneficial interests, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $8,000,000.00 (the “Capital Securities”); and

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of Capital Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of the Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1.           Definitions and Interpretation. In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)           capitalized terms used in this Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)           a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee has the same meaning throughout;

(c)           all references to “the Guarantee” or “this Guarantee” are to this Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d)           all references in this Guarantee to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles or Sections of this Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

(e)           terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of this Guarantee have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and

(f)            a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.




Beneficiaries” means any Person to whom the Issuer is or hereafter becomes indebted or liable.

Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Guarantee.

Common Securities” means the common securities issued by the Issuer to the Guarantor pursuant to the Declaration.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Guarantee is located at 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.

Covered Person” means any Holder of Capital Securities.

Debentures” means the debt securities of the Guarantor designated the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2032 held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.

Declaration Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Declaration.

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Guarantee Payments” means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) which are required to be paid on such Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, (iii) the Special Redemption Price to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to Capital Securities redeemed upon the occurrence of a Special Event, and (iv) upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the “Liquidation Distribution”).

Guarantee Trustee” means State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

Guarantor” means Foothill Independent Bancorp and each of its successors and assigns.

Holder” means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, “Holder” shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

Indemnified Person” means the Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Guarantee Trustee.

2




Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the Guarantor and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the institutional trustee of the Issuer.

Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph to this Guarantee.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Guarantee Payments” herein.

Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Capital Securities, voting together as a class, but separately from the holders of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Capital Securities then outstanding.

Obligations” means any costs, expenses or liabilities (but not including liabilities related to taxes) of the Issuer other than obligations of the Issuer to pay to holders of any Trust Securities the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Trust Securities.

Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer’s Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a)           a statement that the officer signing the Officer’s Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)           a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by the officer in rendering the Officer’s Certificate;

(c)           a statement that the officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of the officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Special Event” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

3




Special Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 3.1.

Trust Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

ARTICLE II

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

Section 2.1.           Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           This Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Capital Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 4.4(b) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b)           If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(c)           The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after curing all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been waived pursuant to Section 2.4) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(d)           No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)            prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A)          the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee; and

(B)           in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished

4




to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee;

(ii)           the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that such Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee or the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii)          the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or relating to the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; and

(iv)          no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee or security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 2.2.           Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1:

(i)            The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

(ii)           Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate.

(iii)          Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Guarantor which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv)          The Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any re-recording, refiling or re-registration thereof).

(v)           The Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and

5




in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction.

(vi)          The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses and the expenses of the Guarantee Trustee’s agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 2.2(a)(vi) shall relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee.

(vii)         The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(viii)        The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(ix)           Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(x)            Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions.

(xi)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee.

(b)           No provision of this Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

6




Section 2.3.           Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee. The recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee.

Section 2.4.           Events of Default; Waiver.

(a)           An Event of Default under this Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Guarantor to perform any of its payment obligations under Section 4.1 of this Guarantee.

(b)           The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, voting or consenting as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 2.5.           Events of Default; Notice.

(a)           The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Guarantor, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, however, that the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(b)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice from the Guarantor or a Holder of the Capital Securities (except in the case of a payment default), or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of this Guarantee shall have obtained actual knowledge thereof.

ARTICLE III

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

Section 3.1.           Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i)            not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor, and

(ii)           be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 3.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

7




(b)           If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 3.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 3.2(c).

(c)           If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Guarantee.

Section 3.2.           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           Subject to Section 3.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of Default.

(b)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 3.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c)           The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by an instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d)           If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 3.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(e)           No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(f)            Upon termination of this Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee all amounts owing to the Guarantee Trustee under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

8




ARTICLE IV

GUARANTEE

Section 4.1.           Guarantee.

(a)           The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense (except the defense of payment by the Issuer), right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor’s obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

(b)           The Guarantor hereby also agrees to assume any and all Obligations of the Issuer and in the event any such Obligation is not so assumed, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Beneficiary the full payment, when and as due, of any and all Obligations to such Beneficiaries. This Guarantee is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.

Section 4.2.           Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

Section 4.3.           Obligations Not Affected. The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

(a)           the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b)           the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of or in connection with, the Capital Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted by the Indenture);

(c)           any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(d)           the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

9




(e)           any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital Securities;

(f)            the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or

(g)           any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

Section 4.4.           Rights of Holders.

(a)           The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; provided, however, that (subject to Section 2.1) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Guarantee Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committees or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.

(b)           Any Holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee Trustee’s rights under this Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any such action be brought first against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person before so proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

Section 4.5.           Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

Section 4.6.           Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, after giving effect to any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

Section 4.7.           Independent Obligations. The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 4.3 hereof.

Section 4.8.           Enforcement by a Beneficiary. A Beneficiary may enforce the obligations of the Guarantor contained in Section 4.1(b) directly against the Guarantor and the Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the Issuer or any other person or entity

10




before proceeding against the Guarantor. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of any Beneficiary against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Beneficiaries by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if at the time of any such payment, and after giving effect to such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE V

LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

Section 5.1.           Limitation of Transactions. So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (a) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or a Declaration Event of Default or (b) the Guarantor shall have selected an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration and such period, or any extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing, then the Guarantor shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Guarantor) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (i) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Guarantor in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors, consultants or independent contractors of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Guarantor (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default, Declaration Event of Default or Extension Period, as applicable, (ii) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Guarantor) for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Guarantor’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (v) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (vi) payments under this Guarantee).

Section 5.2.           Ranking. This Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the Guarantor. By their acceptance thereof, each Holder of Capital Securities agrees to the foregoing provisions of this Guarantee and the other terms set forth herein.

The right of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a creditor of

11




that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the Guarantor for payments hereunder. This Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Guarantor, including Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, under any indenture that the Guarantor may enter into in the future or otherwise.

ARTICLE VI

TERMINATION

Section 6.1.           Termination. This Guarantee shall terminate as to the Capital Securities (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price of all Capital Securities then outstanding, (ii) upon the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon dissolution of the Issuer. This Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1.           Exculpation.

(a)           No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)           An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Issuer or the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Issuer or the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected with reasonable care by such Indemnified Person, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Capital Securities might properly be paid.

Section 7.2.           Indemnification.

(a)           The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Person, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of the Indemnified Person defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Indemnified Person’s powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify

12




as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

(b)           Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person under this Section 7.2 of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Guarantor under this Section 7.2, notify the Guarantor in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Guarantor (i) will not relieve the Guarantor from liability under paragraph (a) above unless and to the extent that the Guarantor did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Guarantor of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the Guarantor from any obligations to any Indemnified Person other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) above. The Guarantor shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the Guarantor’s choice at the Guarantor’s expense to represent the Indemnified Person in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the Guarantor shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Persons except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the Guarantor’s election to appoint counsel to represent the Guarantor in an action, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Guarantor shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Guarantor to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the Indemnified Person and the Guarantor and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Person(s) which are different from or additional to those available to the Guarantor, (iii) the Guarantor shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the Guarantor shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor will not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

Section 7.3.           Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses. The Guarantor agrees:

(a)           to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree to from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in accordance with any provision of this Guarantee (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

The provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

13




ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1.           Successors and Assigns. All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Guarantor with or into another entity or any sale, transfer or lease of the Guarantor’s assets to another entity, in each case, to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Guarantee without the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

Section 8.2.           Amendments. Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities. The provisions of the Declaration with respect to amendments thereof apply to the giving of such approval.

Section 8.3.           Notices. All notices provided for in this Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)           If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Guarantor):

State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association
225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Telecopy: 860-244-1889

With a copy to:

State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 778
Boston, Massachusetts 02102-0778
Attention: Paul D. Allen, Corporate Trust Department
Telecopy: 617-662-1462

(b)           If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and to the Guarantee Trustee):

Foothill Independent Bancorp
975 West Terrace Drive
San Dimas, California 97113
Attention: Carol Ann Graf
Telecopy: 909-599-4796

(c)           If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document

14




is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 8.4.           Benefit. This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Beneficiaries and, subject to Section 2.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Capital Securities.

Section 8.5.           Governing Law. THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

Section 8.6.           Counterparts. This Guarantee may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 8.7            Separability. In case one or more of the provisions contained in this Guarantee shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Guarantee, but this Guarantee shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Signatures appear on the following page

15




THIS GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP, as

 

Guarantor

 

 

 

By:

/s/ George E Langley

 

 

 

Name: George E Langley

 

 

Title: President & CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

 

OF CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL

 

ASSOCIATION is Guarantee Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

 

Name: Paul D. Allen

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

16



EX-10.20 8 a07-4181_1ex10d20.htm EX-10.20

Exhibit 10.20

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION

OF TRUST

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL TRUST I

Dated as of March 23, 2000

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.1

Definitions

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION

 

 

 

SECTION 2.1

Name

9

SECTION 2.2

Office

9

SECTION 2.3

Purpose

9

SECTION 2.4

Authority

9

SECTION 2.5

Title to Property of the Trust

9

SECTION 2.6

Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the Administrators

10

SECTION 2.7

Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees

13

SECTION 2.8

Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee

14

SECTION 2.9

Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustees and Administrators

16

SECTION 2.10

Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee

17

SECTION 2.11

Delaware Trustee

20

SECTION 2.12

Execution of Documents

20

SECTION 2.13

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

20

SECTION 2.14

Duration of Trust

20

SECTION 2.15

Mergers

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE III
SPONSOR

 

 

 

SECTION 3.1

Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities

22

SECTION 3.2

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

22

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV
TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

 

 

SECTION 4.1

Number of Trustees

23

SECTION 4.2

Delaware Trustee

23

SECTION 4.3

Institutional Trustee; Eligibility

23

SECTION 4.4

Certain Qualifications of the Delaware Trustee Generally

24

SECTION 4.5

Administrators

24

SECTION 4.6

Delaware Trustee

24

SECTION 4.7

Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and Administrators

24

SECTION 4.8

Vacancies Among Trustees

26

SECTION 4.9

Effect of Vacancies

26

SECTION 4.10

Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators

26

 

i




 

SECTION 4.11

Delegation of Power

27

SECTION 4.12

Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.1

Distributions

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

 

 

 

SECTION 6.1

General Provisions Regarding Securities

28

SECTION 6.2

Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

29

SECTION 6.3

Form and Dating

29

SECTION 6.4

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

30

SECTION 6.5

Temporary Securities

30

SECTION 6.6

Cancellation

30

SECTION 6.7

Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

 

 

 

SECTION 7.1

Dissolution and Termination of Trust

32

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

 

 

SECTION 8.1

General

33

SECTION 8.2

Transfer Procedures and Restrictions

34

SECTION 8.3

Deemed Security Holders

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

 

 

 

SECTION 9.1

Liability

36

SECTION 9.2

Exculpation

37

SECTION 9.3

Fiduciary Duty

37

SECTION 9.4

Indemnification

38

SECTION 9.5

Outside Businesses

40

SECTION 9.6

Compensation; Fee

41

 

ii




 

ARTICLE X
ACCOUNTING

 

 

 

SECTION 10.1

Fiscal Year

41

SECTION 10.2

Certain Accounting Matters

41

SECTION 10.3

Banking

42

SECTION 10.4

Withholding

42

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

 

 

 

SECTION 11.1

Amendments

43

SECTION 11.2

Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent

45

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII
REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL
TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 12.1

Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee

46

SECTION 12.2

Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee

47

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 13.1

Notices

48

SECTION 13.2

Governing Law

49

SECTION 13.3

Intention of the Parties

49

SECTION 13.4

Headings

50

SECTION 13.5

Successors and Assigns

50

SECTION 13.6

Partial Enforceability

50

SECTION 13.7

Counterparts

50

 

iii




AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL TRUST I

March 23, 2000

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST (this “Declaration”) dated and effective as of March 23, 2000, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Administrators (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (as defined herein) to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;

WHEREAS, certain of the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor established Community (CA) Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), a statutory business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of March 7, 2000 (the “Original Declaration”), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 14, 2000, for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain debentures of the Debenture Issuer (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued;

WHEREAS, all of the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration; and

NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue the Trust as a statutory business trust under the Business Trust Act (as defined herein) and that this Declaration constitutes the governing instrument of such statutory business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.

ARTICLE I

INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Definitions

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)       Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)       a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout;




(c)       all references to “the Declaration” or “this Declaration” are to this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d)       all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;

(e)       a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) has the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration or unless the context otherwise requires; and

(f)        a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.06 of the Indenture.

Administrative Action” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Administrators” means each of Thomas E. Swansen and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., solely in such Person’s capacity as Administrator of the Trust created and continued hereunder and not in such Person’s individual capacity, or such Administrator’s successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor appointed as herein provided.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Authorized Officer” of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person:

(a)       a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or orders the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree, appointment or order remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(b)       such Person commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official of such Person of any substantial part of its property, or makes any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York are permitted or required by any applicable any applicable law to close.

2




Business Trust Act” means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code § 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in 6.1 (a).

Capital Security Certificate” means a Certificate representing a Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l.

Capital Treatment Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Certificate” means any certificate evidencing Securities.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Placement Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 (a).

Common Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

Company Indemnified Person” means (a) any Administrator; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrator; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrator; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

Comparable Treasury Issue” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Comparable Treasury Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Declaration is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, NY 10286.

Covered Person” means: (a) any Administrator, officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust’s Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

Debenture Issuer” means Community Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.

3




Debenture Trustee” means The Bank of New York, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.

Debentures” means the 11% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2030 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture.

Deferred Interest” means any interest on the Debentures that would have been overdue and unpaid for more than one Distribution Payment Date but for the imposition of an Extension Period, and the interest that shall accrue (to the extent that the payment of such interest is legally enforceable) on such interest at the rate per annum equal to 11%, compounded semi-annually from the date on which such Deferred Interest would otherwise have been due and payable until paid or made available for payment.

Definitive Capital Securities” means any Capital Securities in definitive form issued by the Trust.

Delaware Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Direct Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(e).

Distribution” means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 5.1.

Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Event of Default” means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default;

(b) default by the Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price of any Security when it becomes due and payable;

(c) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Declaration (other than those specified in clause (b) above) and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail to the Trustees and to the Sponsor by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding Capital Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Institutional Trustee if a successor Institutional Trustee has not been appointed within 90 days thereof.

4




Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Federal Reserve” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Fiduciary Indemnified Person” shall mean the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, and any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.

Fiscal Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1

Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of March 23, 2000, of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital Securities.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Business Trust Act.

Indemnified Person” means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary Indemnified Person.

Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of March 23, 2000, among the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued.

Indenture Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Indenture.

Institutional Trustee” means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 4.3.

interest” means any interest due on the Debentures, including any Deferred Interest and Defaulted Interest (as each such term is defined in the Indenture).

Investment Company” means an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Investment Company Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Legal Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(e).

5




Liquidation” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

Officers’ Certificates” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for it in this Declaration shall include:

(a)       a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)       a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

(c)       a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)       a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 6.2.

Payment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

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

Placement Agreement” means the Placement Agreement relating to the offering and sale of Capital Securities in the form of Exhibit E.

PORTAL” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(i).

Primary Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Property Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(c).

6




Pro Rata” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8 of Annex I.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act.

Quorum” means a majority of the Administrators or, if there are only two Administrators, both of them.

Quotation Agent” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Redemption/Distribution Notice” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(e) of Annex I.

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Registrar” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Reference Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Relevant Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).

Remaining Life” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Securities Legend” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(c).

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Rule 3a-5” means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.

Rule 3a-7” means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.

Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.

7




Sponsor” means Community Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.

Successor Delaware Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).

Successor Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

Successor Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).

Successor Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

Super Majority” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 5(b) of Annex I.

Tax Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

10% in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

Transfer Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Treasury Rate” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Treasury Regulations” means the income tax regulations, including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee” or “Trustees” means each Person who has signed this Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.

Trust Property” means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Property Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Declaration.

8




U.S. Person” means a United States Person as defined a Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

SECTION 2.1 Name. The Trust is named “Community (CA) Capital Trust I,” as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators following written notice to the Holders of the Securities. The Trust’s activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrators.

SECTION 2.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is 130 W. Fallbrook Street, Fallbrook, California 92028. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of the Securities, the Administrators may designate another principal office which, shall be in a State of the United States or the District of Columbia.

SECTION 2.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell the Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (b) to invest the gross proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures and (c) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.

SECTION 2.4 Authority. Except as specifically provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by a Trustee in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. The Administrators shall have only those ministerial duties set forth herein with respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Trust and are not intended to be trustees or fiduciaries with respect to the Trust or the Holders.

SECTION 2.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 2.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust.

SECTION 2.6 Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the Administrators.

(a)       The Trustees and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with the terms of this Declaration. Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with the following provisions (i) and (ii), the

9




Trustees and the Administrators shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the Trustees to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, under this Declaration, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without limitation, the following:

(i)        Each Administrator shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A)      the issuance and sale of the Securities;

(B)       to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute and deliver on behalf of the Trust, such agreements as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and function of the Trust, including agreements with the Paying Agent;

(C)       ensuring compliance with the Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws;

(D)      if and at such time determined by the Sponsor at the request of the Holders, assisting in the designation of the Capital Securities for trading in the Private Offering, Resales and Trading through the Automatic Linkages (“PORTAL”) system;

(E)       the sending of notices (other than notices of default) and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(F)       the consent to the appointment of a Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with this Declaration, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;

(G)       execution and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Declaration;

(H)      execution and delivery of closing certificates, pursuant to the Placement Agreement and the application for a taxpayer identification number;

(I)        unless otherwise determined by the Institutional Trustee or the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities or as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, to execute on behalf of the Trust (either acting alone or together with any or all of the Administrators) any documents that the Administrators have the power to execute pursuant to this Declaration;

(J)        the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary to give effect

10




to the terms of this Declaration for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder);

(K)      to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; and

(L)       to duly prepare and file all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust on behalf of the Trust.

(ii)       As among the Trustees and the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee shall have the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A)      the establishment of the Property Account;

(B)       the receipt of the Debentures;

(C)       the collection of interest, principal and any other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Property Account;

(D)      the distribution through the Paying Agent of amounts owed to the Holders in respect of the Securities;

(E)       the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of the Debentures;

(F)       the sending of notices of default and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(G)       the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the terms of this Declaration;

(H)      to the extent provided in this Declaration, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

(I)        after any Event of Default (provided that such Event of Default is not by or with respect to the Institutional Trustee) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration and protect and conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the Holders

11




(without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder); and

(J)        to take all action that may be necessary for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust’s valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created.

(b)       So long as this Declaration remains in effect, the Trust (or the Trustees or Administrators acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Trustees nor the Administrators may cause the Trust to (i) acquire any investments or engage  in any activities not authorized by this Declaration, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly provided herein, (iii) take any action that would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other debt or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement of a lien on any of the Trust Property. The Institutional Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Trust, defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any lien on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Holders in their capacity as Holders.

(c)       In connection with the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions taken by the Sponsor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this Declaration are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):

(i)        the taking of any action necessary to obtain an exemption from the Securities Act;

(ii)       the determination of the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and the determination of any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and the advice to the Trustees of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and the preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States in connection with the sale of the Capital Securities;

(iii)      the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery of, the Placement Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital Securities; and

(iv)      the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry out any of the foregoing activities.

12




(d)       Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the Trust so that (i) the Trust will not be deemed to be an “investment company” required to be registered under the Investment Company Act and (ii) the Trust will not fail to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes. The Administrator and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities shall not take any action inconsistent with the treatment of the Debentures as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable laws, the Original Declaration or this Declaration, as amended from time to time, that such Holders determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, even if such action adversely affects the interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(e)       All expenses incurred by the Administrators or the Trustees pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor, and the Trustees shall have no obligations with respect to such expenses.

(f)        The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.

(g)       Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Trust and neither the Administrators nor the Holders in accordance with this Declaration.

SECTION 2.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.

(a)       The Trust shall not, and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to:

(i)        invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;

(ii)       acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;

(iii)      possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose;

(iv)      make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans represented by the Debentures;

(v)       possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities;

(vi)      issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or

13




(vii)     other than as provided in this Declaration (including Annex I), (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such modification will not cause the Trust to cease to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

SECTION 2.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee.

(a)       The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 4.7. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

(b)       The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest in the Debentures to the Administrators or to the Delaware Trustee.

(c)       The Institutional Trustee shall:

(i)        establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the “Property Account”) in the United States (as defined in Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7), in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee, and maintained in the Institutional Trustee’s trust department, on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Account and make payments to the Holders of the Capital Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property Account in accordance with Section 5.1. Funds in the Property Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration;

(ii)       engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and

(iii)      upon written notice of distribution issued by the Administrators in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

14




(d)       The Institutional Trustee shall take all actions and perform such duties as may be specifically required of the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

(e)       The Institutional Trustee may bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action with respect to, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against, the Trust (a “Legal Action”) which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or the Institutional Trustee’s duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder (a “Direct Action”) on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of the Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct Action; provided, however, that a Holder of the Common Securities may exercise such right of subrogation only so long as an Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities has occurred and is continuing.

(f)        The Institutional Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee until either:

(i)        the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of the Securities; or

(ii)       a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 4.7.

(g)       The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a Holder of the Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee may, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration (including Annex I) and the terms of the Securities.

The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 2.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3.

15




SECTION 2.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustees and Administrators.

(a)       The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.7), the Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b)       The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees and the Administrators shall be as provided by this Declaration and, in the case of the Institutional Trustee, by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Declaration shall require the Trustees or Administrators to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustees or Administrators shall be subject to the provisions of this Article. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed to release an Administrator or Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Trustee or an Administrator has duties and liabilities relating to the Trust or to the Holders, such Trustee or Administrator shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Holder for such Trustee’s or Administrator’s good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Trustees otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sponsor and the Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Trustees.

(c)       All payments made by the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect of the Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees and the Administrators are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Security or for any other liability in respect of any Security. This Section 2.9(c) does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in this Declaration or, in the case of the Institutional Trustee, in the Trust Indenture Act.

(d)       No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Institutional Trustee from liability with respect to matters that are within the authority of the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

16




(i)        the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error or judgment made in good faith by an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(ii)       the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities, as applicable, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iii)      the Institutional Trustee’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;

(iv)      the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor; and money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 2.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and

(v)       the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrators or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrators or the Sponsor.

SECTION 2.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.9:

(a)       the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall fully be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, opinion of counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)       if (i) in performing its duties under this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, (ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained herein, or (iii) the Institutional Trustee is unsure of the application of any provision of this Declaration, then, except as to any matter as to which the Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote under the terms of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee may deliver a notice to the Sponsor requesting the Sponsor’s opinion as to

17




the course of action to be taken and the Institutional Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as the Institutional Trustee shall be directed, in which event the Institutional Trustee shall have no liability except for its own negligence or willful misconduct;

(c)       any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrators contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

(d)       whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may request and conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate as to factual matters which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrators;

(e)       the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;

(f)        the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection (which counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance with such advice; the Institutional Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;

(g)       the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Institutional Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; provided, that nothing contained in this Section 2.10(g) shall be taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration;

(h)       the Institutional Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Holders, but the Institutional Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

(i)        the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or attorneys and the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of, or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

18




(j)        whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Capital Securities, which instructions may be given only by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Capital Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such instructions;

(k)       except as otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration;

(1)       when the Institutional Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or law relating to creditors rights generally;

(m)      the Institutional Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Institutional Trustee receives written notice of such event from any Holder;

(n)       any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action; and

(o)       no provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Institutional Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Institutional Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

SECTION 2.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 4.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of any of the Trustees or the Administrators described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of § 3807 of the Business Trust Act.

19




SECTION 2.12 Execution of Documents. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.11, unless otherwise determined in writing by the Institutional Trustee, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, the Institutional Trustee, or any one or more of the Administrators, as the case may be, is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.

SECTION 2.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration, the Debentures or the Securities.

SECTION 2.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date.

SECTION 2.15 Mergers.      (a)     The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as described in this Section 2.15(b) and (c).

(b)       The Trust may, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and without the consent of the Delaware Trustee or the Holders of the Capital Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided, that:

(i)        if the Trust is not the Survivor, such successor entity (the “Successor Entity”) either:

(A)      expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or

(B)       substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Securities (the “Successor Securities”) so that the Successor Securities rank the same as the Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

(ii)       the Institutional Trustee expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;

(iii)      the Capital Securities or any Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or with another organization on which the Capital Securities are then listed or quoted, if any;

20




(iv)      such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;

(v)       such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of such Holders’ interests in the Successor Entity as a result, of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement);

(vi)      such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the Trust;

(vii)     prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:

(A)      such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the Holders’ interest in the Successor Entity);

(B)       following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an Investment Company;

(C)       following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; and

(viii)    the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee; and

(ix)       prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Institutional Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate of the Administrators and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent of this paragraph (b) to such transaction have been satisfied.

(c)       Notwithstanding Section 2.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with the consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or to be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

21




ARTICLE III

SPONSOR

SECTION 3.1 Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the Trust, in an amount at least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Capital Securities are sold.

SECTION 3.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities:

(a)       to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States;

(b)       to prepare for filing and request the Administrators to cause the filing by the Trust, as may be appropriate, of an application to the PORTAL system, for listing or quotation upon notice of issuance of any Capital Securities, if required ; and

(c)       to negotiate the terms of and/or execute on behalf of the Trust, the Placement Agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the Capital Securities.

ARTICLE IV

TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATORS

SECTION 4.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially shall be two, and:

(a)       at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and

(b)       after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities; provided, however, that there shall be a Delaware Trustee if required by Section 4.2; and there shall always be one Trustee who shall be the Institutional Trustee, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements, in which case Section 2.11 shall have no application to such entity in its capacity as Institutional Trustee.

22




SECTION 4.2 Delaware Trustee. If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”) shall be:

(a)       a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or

(b)       if not a natural person, an entity which is organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, including §3807 of the Business Trust Act.

SECTION 4.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.    (a)    There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as Institutional Trustee which shall:

(i)        not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;

(ii)       not offer or provide credit or credit enhancement to the Trust; and

(iii)      be a banking corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 4.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b)       If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 4.7(a).

(c)       If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of § 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Institutional Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Declaration.

(d)       The initial Institutional Trustee shall be The Bank of New York.

SECTION 4.4 Certain Qualifications of the Delaware Trustee Generally. The Delaware Trustee shall be a U.S. Person and either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers.

SECTION 4.5 Administrators. Each Administrator shall be a U.S. Person. The initial Administrators shall be Thomas E. Swansen and L. Bruce Mills, Jr.. There shall at all times be at least one Administrator.

23




Except where a requirement for action by a specific number of Administrators is expressly set forth in this Declaration and except with respect to any action the taking of which is the subject of a meeting of the Administrators any action required or permitted to be taken by the Administrators may be taken by, and any power of the Administrators may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Administrator.

SECTION 4.6 Initial Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be The Bank of New York (Delaware).

SECTION 4.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and Administrators.

(a)       No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the “Relevant Trustee”) and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.7.

Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, a Relevant Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders of the Securities and by appointing a successor Relevant Trustee. Upon the resignation of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from each of Bank One Trust Company, NA, Bankers Trust Company and State Street Bank & Trust Company, its expenses and charges to serve as the successor Institutional Trustee on a form provided by the Administrators, and selecting the Person who agrees to the lowest expense and charges (the “Successor Institutional Trustee”). If the instrument of acceptance by the successor Relevant Trustee required by Section 4.7 shall not have been delivered to the Relevant Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation or delivery of the instrument of removal, the Relevant Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Trust, any Federal, State or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Relevant Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of such successor pursuant to this Section 4.7.

The Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may be removed by the act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If any Trustee shall be so removed, the Holders of Capital Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding delivered to the Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.7. If no successor Relevant Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by this Section 4.7, within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of removal, the Relevant Trustee or any Holder who has been a Holder of the Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any Federal, State or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the

24




appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a successor Relevant Trust or Trustees.

The Institutional Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 4.7(b) and shall give notice to the Sponsor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the Institutional Trustee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Declaration, in the event a Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or becomes incompetent or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the Institutional Trustee following the procedures in this Section 4.7 (with the successor being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for a Delaware Trustee set forth in this Declaration) (the “Successor Delaware Trustee”).

(b)       In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee, the retiring Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall execute and deliver an amendment hereto wherein each successor Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Relevant Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Securities and the Trust and (b) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Declaration as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust by more than one Relevant Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such Relevant Trustees co-trustees and upon the execution and delivery of such amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Relevant Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee; but, on request of the Trust of any successor Relevant Trustee such retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities and the Trust.

(c)       No Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.

(d)       The Holders of the Capital Securities will have no right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Holder of the Common Securities.

SECTION 4.8 Vacancies Among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 4.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 4.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the

25




Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with an a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 4.7.

SECTION 4.9 Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, terminate or annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Trustee in accordance with Section 4.7, the Institutional Trustee shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration.

SECTION 4.10 Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators. Meetings of the Trustees or the Administrators shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Trustee or Administrator, as applicable. Regular meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators, respectively, may be in person in the United States or by telephone, at a place (if applicable) and time fixed by resolution of the Trustees or the Administrators, as applicable. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Trustees or the Administrators shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Trustees or the Administrators or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of a Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Trustees or the Administrators present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter; provided, that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Trustees or the Administrators. Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators together shall be held from the time to time upon the call of any Trustee or Administrator.

SECTION 4.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Trustee or any Administrator, as the case may be, may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 that is a U.S. Person his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.6; and

(b)       the Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to any officer of the Trust that is a U.S. Person, the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.

26




SECTION 4.12 Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any Person into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, may be merged or converted or with which either may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the successor of the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

ARTICLE V

DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 5.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder’s Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including any Additional Interest or Deferred Interest) and/or principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a “Payment Amount”), the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a “Distribution”) of the Payment Amount to Holders.

ARTICLE VI

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 6.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities.

(a)       The Administrators shall on behalf of the Trust issue one series of capital securities substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the “Capital Securities”) and one series of common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the “Common Securities”). The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Capital Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(b)       The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by one or more Administrators. Such signature shall be the facsimile or manual signature of any Administrator. In case any Administrator of the Trust who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrator before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such

27




Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates had not ceased to be such Administrator; and any Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such person who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be an Administrator of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such an Administrator. A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been authenticated under this Declaration. Upon written order of the Trust signed by one Administrator, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue. The Institutional Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that is a U.S. Person acceptable to the Trust to authenticate the Capital Securities. A Common Security need not be so authenticated.

(c)       The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

(d)       Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(e)       Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Capital Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration and the Guarantee.

SECTION 6.2 Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trust shall maintain in New York, New York, an office or agency where the Capital Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”), and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (the “Transfer Agent”). The Trust shall keep or cause to be kept at such office or agency a register for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers and exchanges of Securities, such register to be held by a registrar (the “Registrar”). The Administrators may appoint the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Transfer Agent, and may appoint one or more additional Paying Agents or one or more co-Registrars, or one or more co-Transfer Agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, the term “Registrar” includes any additional registrar or co-Registrar and the term “Transfer Agent” includes any additional transfer agent. The Administrators may change any Paying Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Administrators shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar not a party to this Declaration. The Administrators hereby appoint the Institutional Trustee to act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates in the United States may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.

SECTION 6.3 Form and Dating. The Capital Securities and the Institutional Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Declaration. Certificates may be typed,

28




printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrators, as conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject, if any, or usage (provided, that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Sponsor). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-l to the Institutional Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-l and A-2 are part of the terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. Capital Securities will be issued only in blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than $1,000.

The Capital Securities are being offered and sold by the Trust pursuant to the Placement Agreement in definitive, registered form without coupons with the Restricted Securities Legend.

SECTION 6.4 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If:

(a)       any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Registrar, or if the Registrar shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and

(b)       there shall be delivered to the Registrar, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless; then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, an Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall execute (and in the case of a Capital Security Certificate, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate) and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 6.4, the Registrar or the Administrators may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.

SECTION 6.5 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Administrators may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Administrators consider appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrators shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

29




SECTION 6.6 Cancellation. The Administrators at any time may deliver Securities to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar shall forward to the Institutional Trustee any Securities surrendered to it for registration of transfer, redemption or payment. The Institutional Trustee shall promptly cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Securities as the Administrators direct. The Administrators may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 6.7 Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults.

(a)       The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.5, and the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below. The Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth therein and in this Declaration. The Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights and when issued and delivered to Holders against payment of the purchase price therefor will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.

(b)       For so long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if, upon an Indenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the Holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice in writing to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Debentures has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Debenture Trustee as provided in the Indenture, if the Institutional Trustee fails to annul any such declaration and waive such default, the Holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, by written notice to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i)        the Sponsor has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A)      all overdue installments of interest on all of the Debentures,

(B)       any accrued Deferred Interest on all of the Debentures,

(C)       the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debentures that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest and Deferred Interest thereon at the rate borne by the Debentures, and

30




(D)      all sums paid or advanced by the Debenture Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Debenture Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, their agents and counsel; and

(ii)       all Events of Default with respect to the Debentures, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Debentures that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.07 of the Indenture.

The Holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default under the Indenture, except a default or Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest (unless such default or Event of Default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default or Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision that under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Upon receipt by the Institutional Trustee of written notice declaring such an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of any part of the Capital Securities a record date shall be established for determining Holders of outstanding Capital Securities entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Institutional Trustee receives such notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that, unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day that is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is identical to a written notice that has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.7.

(d)       Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.7, the Holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Trust Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

31




ARTICLE VII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

SECTION 7.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of:

(i)        unless earlier dissolved, on March 8, 2055, the expiration of the term of the Trust;

(ii)       upon a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(iii)      (other than in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; upon the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;

(iv)      upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities, upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities to dissolve the Trust as provided in Annex I hereto;

(v)       upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(vi)      when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities; or

(vii)     before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Trustees and the Sponsor.

(b)       As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 7.1(a), and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, including Section 3808 of the Business Trust Act, and subject to the terms set forth in Annex I, the Institutional Trustee shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

(c)       The provisions of Section 2.9 and Article IX shall survive the termination of the Trust.

32




ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 8.1 General. (a) Where Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal number of Capital Securities represented by different certificates, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfer and exchanges, the Trust shall issue and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(b)       Upon issuance of the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities and for so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the Sponsor shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Sponsor under the Indenture that is a U.S. Person may succeed to the Sponsor’s ownership of the Common Securities.

(c)       Capital Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void and will be deemed to be of no legal effect whatsoever and any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder of such Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the receipt of Distributions on such Capital Securities, and such transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.

(d)       The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar shall cause one or more new Securities to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6. A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Security. By acceptance of a Security, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.

(e)       The Trust shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) to register the transfer or exchange of any

33




Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

SECTION 8.2 Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.

(a)       General. (i) The Capital Securities shall bear the Restricted Securities Legend, which shall not be removed unless there is delivered to the Trust such satisfactory evidence, which may include an opinion of counsel licensed to practice law in the State of New York, as may be reasonably required by the Trust, that neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of the Securities Act or that such Securities are not “restricted” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Institutional Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.

(b)       Transfer and Exchange of Capital Securities. When Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar (x) to register the transfer of such Capital Securities, or (y) to exchange such Capital Securities for an equal number of Capital Securities of another number, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Capital Securities surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trust and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing and (i) if such Capital Securities are being transferred to a QIB, accompanied by a certificate of the transferee substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit C hereto or (ii) if such Capital Securities are being transferred otherwise than to a QIB, accompanied by a certificate of the transferee substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit B hereto.

(c)       Legend. Except as permitted by Section 8.2(a), each Capital Security shall bear a legend (the “Restricted Securities Legend”) in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1),

34




(2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE DEBENTURE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (C) OR (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR THE TRUST. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

(d)       Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Capital Securities.

(i)        To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trust shall execute and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(ii)       Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to it.

(iii)      The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Capital Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of any Capital Security for redemption set forth in the terms and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of Capital Securities to be redeemed.

(iv)      All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

SECTION 8.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trust, the Administrators, the Trustees, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust, the Administrators, the Trustees, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall have actual or other notice thereof.

35




ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 9.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Guarantee and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

(i)        personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and

(ii)       required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of the Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

(b)       The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust’s assets.

(c)       Pursuant to § 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 9.2 Exculpation. (a)     No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)       An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected by such Indemnified Person with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

SECTION 9.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict

36




the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Indemnified Person.

(b)       Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision:

(i)        in its “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

(ii)       in its “good faith” or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law.

SECTION 9.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(ii)       The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

37




(iii)      To the extent that an Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 9.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

(iv)      Any indemnification of an Administrator under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 9.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (A) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such Administrators who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (B) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (C) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

(v)       To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 9.4(a) shall be paid by the Sponsor in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 9.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (A) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrators, (B) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (C) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrators, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such Person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrators, independent legal counsel or the Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such Person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.

(vi)      Each Trustee, at the sole cost and expense of the Sponsor, retains the right to representation by counsel of its own choosing in any action, suit or any other proceeding hereunder or against it by relation to the foregoing, without affecting its right to indemnification hereunder or waiving any rights afforded to it under this Declaration or applicable law.

38




(b)       The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Indemnified Person from and against any and all loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any kind or nature whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person arising out of or in connection with or by reason of the creation, operation or termination of the Trust, or any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(c)       The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 9.4 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 9.4 shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 9.4 is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 9.4 shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

(d)       The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 9.4.

(e)       For purposes of this Section 9.4, references to “the Trust” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any Person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 9.4 with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.

(f)        The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 9.4 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has ceased to be an Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Institutional Trustee. The obligations of the Sponsor under this Section 9.4 to compensate and indemnify the Trustees and to pay or reimburse the Trustees for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness

39




hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustees as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.

SECTION 9.5 Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee (subject to Section 4.3(c)) may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. None of any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

SECTION 9.6 Compensation; Fee. The Sponsor agrees:

(a)       to pay to the Trustees from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder as the parties shall agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)       except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of their respective agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

The provisions of this Section 9.6 shall survive the dissolution of the Trust and the termination of this Declaration and the removal or resignation of any Trustee.

No Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any property of the Trust as a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.6.

40




ARTICLE X

ACCOUNTING

SECTION 10.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year (the “Fiscal Year”) of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

SECTION 10.2 Certain Accounting Matters.

(a)       At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrators shall keep, or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Trust in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury regulations section 301.7701-7, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.

(b)       The Administrators shall cause to be prepared at the principal office of the Trust in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury regulations section 301.7701-7, and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements of income or loss which shall be examined by and reported upon by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.

(c)       The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities Form 1099 or such other annual United States federal income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrators shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.

(d)       The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury regulations section 301.7701-7, and filed an annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority.

(e)       So long as the only Holder of the Capital Securities is Regional Diversified Funding Limited, the Administrators will cause the Sponsor’s reports on Form FR Y-9C, FR Y-9LP and FR Y-6 to be delivered to the Holder promptly following their filing with the Federal Reserve.

SECTION 10.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury regulations section 301.7701-7, in the

41




name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Account. The sole signatories for such accounts (including the Property Account) shall be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

SECTION 10.4 Withholding. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent and the Administrators shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent shall request, and each Holder shall provide to the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to the Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrators shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution to the Holder in the amount of the withholding. In the event of any claimed overwithholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 11.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by

(i)        the Institutional Trustee, and

(ii)       if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee.

(b)       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI, no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective:

(i)        unless the Institutional Trustee shall have first received

(A)      an Officers’ Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

42




(B)       an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(ii)       if the result of such amendment would be to

(A)      cause the Trust to cease to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust;

(B)       reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act;

(C)       cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; or

(D)      cause the Debenture Issuer to be unable to treat an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Debentures as “Tier 1 Capital” for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve.

(c)       Except as provided in Section 11.1 (d), (e) or (h), no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective unless the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities shall have consented to such amendment.

(d)       In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.

(e)       Section 8.1 (b) and 8.1 (c) and this Section 11.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.

(f)        Article III shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

(g)       the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities under Article IV to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove, Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(h)       This Declaration may be amended by the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in the liquidation amount of the Common Securities without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities to:

(i)        cure any ambiguity;

43




(ii)       correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;

(iii)      add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor; and

(iv)      modify, eliminate or add to any provision of this Declaration to such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes at all times as a grantor trust and will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act (including without limitation to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5, Rule 3a-7 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Company Act or written change in interpretation or application thereof by any legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority) which amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the right, preferences or privileges of the Holders of Securities;

provided, however, that no such modification, elimination or addition referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) shall adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of Holders of Capital Securities.

SECTION 11.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities: Action by Written Consent.

(a)       Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at any time by the Administrators (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading, if any. The Administrators shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrators one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of the Securities wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of the Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders of the Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities represented by such Certificates shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.

(b)       Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of the Securities:

(i)        notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders of the Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading, if any, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities may be taken

44




without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of the Securities owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders of the Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Administrators may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Holders of the Securities for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Administrators;

(ii)       each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of the Securities executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Delaware corporation; each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Administrators or by such other Person that the Administrators may designate; and

(iii)      unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are then listed for trading, if any, otherwise provides, the Administrators, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders of the Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote; provided, however, that each meeting shall be conducted in the United States (as that term is defined in Treasury regulations section 301.7701-7).

ARTICLE XII

REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 12.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustee’s acceptance of its appointment as Institutional Trustee, that:

45




(a)       the Institutional Trustee is a banking corporation with trust powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;

(b)       the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

(c)       the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and

(d)       no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration.

SECTION 12.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee’s acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee, that:

(a)       The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration.

(b)       The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Certificate of Trust and this Declaration. This Declaration under Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(c)       No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration.

(d)       The Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the

46




State of Delaware and, in either case, a Person that satisfies for the Trust the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied (which telecopy shall be followed by notice delivered or mailed by first class mail) or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)       if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrators at the Trust’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities:

Community (CA) Capital Trust I
c/o Community Bancorp Inc.
130 W. Fallbrook Street
Fallbrook, California 92028
Attention: Administrators for Community (CA) Capital Trust I

(b)       if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

The Bank of New York (Delaware)
White Clay Center, Route 273
Newark, Delaware
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

(c)       if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 21W
New York, NY 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telecopy: 212-819-5915

47




(d)       if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):

Community Bancorp Inc.
130 W. Fallbrook Street
Fallbrook, California 92028
Attention: Thomas E. Swanson, President and Chief Executive
Officer

(e)       if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Trust.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 13.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of laws of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Declaration any provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner inconsistent with the terms hereof (a) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (b) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (c) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (d) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (e) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (f) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets or (g) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards of responsibility or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees that are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees as set forth or referenced in this Declaration. Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code shall not apply to the Trust.

SECTION 13.3 Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties.

48




SECTION 13.4 Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof.

SECTION 13.5 Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

SECTION 13.6 Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 13.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees and Administrators to any of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page.

49




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE)
as Delaware Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William T. Lewis

 

 

 

Name:  WILLIAM T. LEWIS, SVP

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Annette L. KOS

 

 

 

Name: ANNETTE L. KOS

 

 

Title: Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.,
as Sponsor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Swanson

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL TRUST I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Swanson

 

 

 

Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ L. Bruce Mills, Jr.

 

 

 

Administrator

 

50




ANNEX I

TERMS OF
FIXED RATE CAPITAL TRUST PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES® (TRUPS®)

Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March 23, 2000 (as amended from time to time, the “Declaration”), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Declaration):

1.         Designation and Number. (a) Capital Securities. 10,000 Capital Securities of Community (CA) Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), with an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of Ten Million ($10,000,000) and a stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per Capital Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as the “Fixed Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities”® (the “Capital Securities”). The Capital Security Certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are listed, if any.

(b)       Common Securities. 310 Common Securities of the Trust (the “Common Securities”) will be evidenced by Common Security Certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

2.         Distributions. (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be payable at an annual rate equal to 11% (the “Coupon Rate”) of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in arrears for more than one semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi- annually at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions and any such compounded distributions payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full semi-annual period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)       Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance, and will be payable, subject to extension of distribution payment periods as described herein, semi-annually in arrears on March 8 and September 8 of each year, commencing on September 8, 2000 (each, a “Distribution Payment Date”) when, as and if available for payment. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period for up to 10 consecutive semi-annual periods (each, an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the

I-1




Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, although such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest will accrue on such Deferred Interest at an annual rate equal to 11%, compounded semi-annually to the extent permitted by law during any Extension Period. No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Debenture Issuer shall pay all Deferred Interest; provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date and provided further, that, during any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Debenture Issuer that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Debenture Issuer) for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder’s rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Deferred Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Deferred Interest. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, or, if such date is not a Distribution Payment Date, on the immediately following Distribution Payment Date, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

I-2




(c)       Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record dates. The relevant record dates shall be selected by the Administrators, which dates shall be 15 days before the relevant payment dates. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Payment Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, as the case may be, when due (taking into account any Extension Period), will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date.

(d)       In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be distributed pro rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

3.         Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust (each, a “Liquidation”) other than in connection with a redemption of the Debentures, the Holders of the Securities will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of the Securities, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer), distributions equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the “Liquidation Distribution”), unless in connection with such Liquidation, the Debentures in an aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Coupon Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date as, such Securities, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust in accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Business Trust Act, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities.

The Sponsor, as the Holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust (including without limitation upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event), subject to the receipt by the Debenture Issuer of prior approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, cause the Debentures to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with the aggregate stated liquidation amount thereof.

The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of (i) March 8, 2055, the expiration of the term of the Trust, (ii) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor, Trust or the

I-3




Debenture Issuer, (iii) (other than in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution of the Sponsor or upon revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof, (iv) the distribution to the Holders of the Securities of the Debentures, upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities to dissolve the Trust as described above, (v) the entry of a decree of a judicial dissolution of the Sponsor or the Trust, or (vi) when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities. As soon as practicable after the dissolution of the Trust and upon completion of the winding up of the Trust, the Trust shall terminate upon the filing of a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

If a Liquidation of the Trust occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Trustees of the Trust as expeditiously as such Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the Securities, the Debentures on a Pro Rata basis to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, unless such distribution is determined by the Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to the Holders, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, an amount equal to the Liquidation Distribution. An early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) above shall occur if the Institutional Trustee determines that such Liquidation is possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust, to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis, the Debentures, and such distribution occurs.

If, upon any such Liquidation the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on such Capital Securities shall be paid to the Holders of the Trust Securities on a pro rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.

Upon any such Liquidation of the Trust involving a distribution of the Debentures, if at the time of such Liquidation, the Capital Securities were rated by at least one nationally-recognized statistical rating organization, the Debenture Issuer will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from at least one such or other rating organization a rating for the Debentures.

After the date for any distribution of the Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust, (i) the Securities of the Trust will be deemed to be no longer outstanding, and (ii) any certificates representing the Capital Securities will be deemed to represent undivided beneficial interests in such of the Debentures as have an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the distribution rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissuance.

I-4




4.         Redemption and Distribution.

(a)       The Debentures will mature on March 8, 2030. The Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, on any March 8 or September 8 on or after March 8, 2010, at the Redemption Price, upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 day’s notice to Holders of such Debentures. In addition, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer in whole but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, as the case may be (the “Special Redemption Date”), at the Special Redemption Price, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to Holders of the Debentures so long as such Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, as the case may be, is continuing. In each case, the right of the Debenture Issuer to redeem the Debentures is subject to the Debenture Issuer having received prior approval from the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

“Tax Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an “Administrative Action”)) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Debenture Issuer or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

“Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

I-5




“Capital Treatment Event” means the reasonable determination by the Debenture Issuer that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Debenture Issuer will not be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Debentures as “Tier I Capital” (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Debenture Issuer; provided, however, that the distribution of the Debentures in connection with the Liquidation of the Trust by the Debenture Issuer shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such Liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

“Special Event” means any of a Capital Treatment Event, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

“Redemption Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date that occurs within the twelve-month period beginning in the relevant year indicated below, expressed in percentage of the principal amount of the Debt Securities being redeemed:

Year

 

Percentage

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2010

 

 

105.438

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2011

 

 

104.894

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2012

 

 

104.350

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2013

 

 

103.806

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2014

 

 

103.263

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2015

 

 

102.719

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2016

 

 

102.175

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2017

 

 

101.631

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2018

 

 

101.088

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2019

 

 

100.544

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2020 and after

 

 

100.000

 

plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date or, in the case of a redemption due to the occurrence of a Special Event, to the Special Redemption Date.

I-6




“Special Redemption Price” means (1) if the Special Redemption Date is before March 8, 2010, the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed and (b) as determined by a Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of scheduled payments of principal and interest from the Special Redemption Date to March 8, 2010 (the “Remaining Life”) discounted to the Special Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 0.45%, plus, in the case of either (a) or (b), accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date and (2) if the Special Redemption Date is on or after March 8, 2010, the Redemption Price for such Special Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means with respect to any Special Redemption Date the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a period from three months before to three months after March 8, 2010, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities shall be used as the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such securities.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (a) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Special Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

“Primary Treasury Dealer” shall mean a primary United States Government securities dealer in New York City.

“Quotation Agent” means Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. and its successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary United States Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Debenture Issuer shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Redemption Date” shall mean the date fixed for the redemption of Capital Securities, which shall be any March 8 or September 8 commencing on March 8, 2010.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Debenture Trustee after consultation with the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Debenture Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

I-7




“Treasury Rate” means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the date of calculation, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated H.15 (519) or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities”, for the maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Special Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Special Redemption Date.

(b)       Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in part of the Debenture (other than following the distribution of the Debenture to the Holders of the Securities), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem Pro Rata at the applicable Redemption Price, Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debenture so repaid or redeemed; provided, however, that holders of such Securities shall be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice of such redemption (other than at the scheduled maturity of the Debenture).

(c)       If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Capital Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section 4(e)(ii) below.

(d)       The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Capital Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Capital Securities for all semi-annual Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption.

(e)       Redemption or Distribution Procedures.

(i)        Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of the Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a “Redemption/Distribution Notice”) will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(e)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of such Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of such Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing thereof with respect to any

I-8




Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.

(ii)       In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Capital Securities.

(iii)      If the Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then, provided that the Institutional Trustee has a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the redemption date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited as required then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit Distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price specified in Section 4(a), but without interest on such Redemption Price. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of any such Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Debenture Issuer as guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate from the original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price. In the event of any redemption of the Capital Securities issued by the Trust in part, the Trust shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection for redemption of the Capital Securities and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Capital Securities to be so redeemed or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Capital Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Capital Securities being redeemed in part.

(iv)      Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust (A) in respect of the Capital Securities, to the Holders thereof, and (B) in respect of the Common Securities, to the Holder thereof.

(v)       Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities laws), and provided that the acquirer is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the Indenture, the Sponsor or any

I-9




of its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

5.         Voting Rights - Capital Securities (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights. The Administrators are required to call a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities if directed to do so by Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(b)       Subject to the requirements of obtaining a tax opinion by the Institutional Trustee in certain circumstances set forth in the last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture as the holder of the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent on behalf of all the Holders of the Capital Securities to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the holders of greater than a simple majority in principal amount of Debentures (a “Super Majority”) affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Debentures after the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of such Capital Securities have so directed the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a Holder of the Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Debentures without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date the interest or principal is payable (or in the case of redemption, the redemption date), then a Holder of record of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment, on or after the respective due dates specified in the Debentures, to such Holder directly of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder. The Institutional Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any default actually known to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the Debentures unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Capital Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of principal of or interest on any of the Debentures. Such notice shall state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes an Event of Default hereunder. Except with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the Institutional

I-10




Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Institutional Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of such Trust Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default hereunder. Any required approval or direction of Holders of the Capital Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth the following information (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

Notwithstanding that Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such Capital Securities were not outstanding.

In no event will Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the Common Securities of the Trust. Under certain circumstances as more fully described in the Declaration, Holders of Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.

I-11




6.         Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Common Securities will have no voting rights.

(b)       The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance with Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Administrators.

(c)       Subject to Section 6.7 of the Declaration and only after each Event of Default (if any) with respect to the Capital Securities has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Holder of the Common Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Declaration, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other Person.

Any approval or direction of Holders of the Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Administrators will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of the Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

I-12




No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

7.         Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 11.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the Liquidation of the Trust, other than as described in Section 7.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected thereby; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Capital Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.

(b)       In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.

(c)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to a Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the Trust to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as other than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee or (iii) cause the Trust to be deemed an “investment company” which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(d)       Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the right of any Holder of the Capital Securities to receive payment of distributions and other payments upon redemption or otherwise, on or after their respective due dates, or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder. For the protection and enforcement of the foregoing provision, each and every Holder of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or equity.

8.         Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution or treatment as being “Pro Rata” shall mean pro rata to each Holder of the Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in

I-13




relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of the Common Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.

9.         Ranking. The Capital Securities rank pari passu with and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive payment of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities with the result that no payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all outstanding Capital Securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption Price on all outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Institutional Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.

10.       Acceptance of Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, by the acceptance of such Securities, agrees to the provisions of the Guarantee, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.

11.       No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.

12.       Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

I-14




EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE DEBENTURE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (C) OR (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR THE TRUST. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATE AND OTHER INFORMATION MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DECLARATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

A-1-1




 

Certificate Number P-l

Number of Capital Securities: 10,000

 

CUSIP NO                     

Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities

of

Community (CA) Capital Trust I

Fixed Rate Capital Pass-through Securities® (TRUPS®)

(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

Community (CA) Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that                      (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, designated the Fixed Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities® (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the “Capital Securities”). Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of March 23, 2000, among Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.

Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

A-1-2




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

 

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL TRUST I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as the
Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

A-1-3




[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at an annual rate of 11% (the “Coupon Rate”) of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in arrears for more than a semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annual at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions, any such compounded interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Debentures unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full semi-annual Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 8 and September 8 of each year, commencing on September 8, 2000. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period for up to 10 consecutive semi-annual periods (each, an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, although such interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures, and Interest will accrue on such Deferred Interest, at an annual rate equal to 11%, compounded semi-annually to the extent permitted by law during any Extension Period. No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Debenture Issuer shall pay all Deferred Interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures; provided however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Deferred Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Deferred Interest. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, or, if such date is not a Distribution Payment Date, on the immediately following Distribution Payment Date, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-1-4




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital Security Certificate to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee), and irrevocably appoints                                                                  as agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security Certificate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)           Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-1-5




EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.

THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED.

Certificate Number

Number of Common Securities: 310

 

Certificate Evidencing Common Securities

of

Community (CA) Capital Trust I

Community (CA) Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that [                          ] (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the “Common Securities”). The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of March 23, 2000, among Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

As set forth in the Declaration, where an Event of Default has occurred and continuing, the rights of Holders of Common securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption or otherwise are subordinated to the rights of payment of Holders of the Capital Securities.

Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

A-2-1




This Common Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

A-2-2




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this 23rd day of March, 2000.

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL TRUST I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

A-2-3




[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Common Security will be identical in amount to the Distributions payable on each Capital Security, which is at an annual rate of 11% (the “Coupon Rate”) of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in arrears for more than one period will bear interest thereon compounded at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions, any such compounded distribution and any Additional Interest payable on the Debentures unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full semi-annual Distribution period on 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 8 and September 8 of each year, commencing on September 8, 2000. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period for up to 10 consecutive semi-annual periods (each, an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable. No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. During an Extension Period, interest would continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest (such accrued interest and interest theron referred to herein as “Deferred Interest”) will accrue at an annual rate equal to 11%, compounded semi-annually from the date such Deferred Interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period to the extent permitted by law during any Extension Period. At the end of any such Extension Period the Debenture Issuer shall pay all Deferred Interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures; provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Deferred Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Deferred Interest. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, or, if such date is not a Distribution Payment Date, on the immediately following Distribution Payment Date, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be

A-2-4




limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-2-5




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security Certificate to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee), and irrevocably appoints                    as agent to transfer this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security Certificate)

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:(2)

 

 

 

 


(2)       Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union, meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-2-6




EXHIBIT B

FORM OF TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
TO BE EXECUTED BY TRANSFEREES OTHER THAN QIBS

                      , [    ]

Community Bancorp Inc.
Community (CA) Capital Trust I
130 W. Fallbrook Street
Fallbrook, CA 92028

Re:                    Purchase of $1,000 stated liquidation amount of Fixed Rate Capital Trust
Pass-through Securities® (TruPS)® (the “Capital Securities”) of
Community (CA) Capital Trust I

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with our purchase of the Capital Securities we confirm that:

1.         We understand that the Capital Securities (including the guarantee (the “Guarantee”) of Community Bancorp Inc. (the “Company”) executed in connection therewith) of Community (CA) Capital Trust I (the “Trust”) and the Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2030 (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”) of the Company (the Capital Securities, the Guarantee and the Subordinated Debt Securities together being referred to herein as “Offered Securities”), have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing the Offered Securities that, if, we decide to offer, sell or otherwise transfer any such Offered Securities, such offer, sale or transfer will be made only (a) to The Trust or the Company, (b) pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a qualified institutional buyer under Rule 144A (a “QIB”) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (c) to an “accredited investor” with the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act that is acquiring Offered Securities for its own account or for the account of such an accredited investor for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, or (d) pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of our property or compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Offered Securities is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (c) or (d) above the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to The Bank of New York as Transfer Agent, which shall provide as applicable, among other things, that the transferee is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act that is acquiring such Securities for investment purposes and not for distribution in

B-1




violation of the Securities Act. We acknowledge on our behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Securities that the Trust and the Company reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer pursuant to clauses (d) or (e) to require the delivery of any opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Trust and the Company. We understand that the certificates for any Offered Security that we receive will bear a legend substantially to the effect of the foregoing.

2.         We are an “accredited investor” with the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an “accredited investor,” and we are acquiring the Offered Securities for the investment purposes and not with view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Offered Securities, and we and any account for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risks of our or its investment.

3.         We are acquiring the Offered Securities purchased by us for our own account (or for one or more accounts as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion and have authority to make, and do make, the statements contained in this letter) and not with a view to any distribution of the Offered Securities, subject, nevertheless, to the understanding that the disposition of our property will at all times be and remain within our control.

4.         In the event that we purchase any Capital Securities or any Subordinated Debt Securities, we will acquire such Capital Securities having an aggregate stated liquidation amount of not less than $1,000 or such Subordinated Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000, for our own account and for each separate account for which we are acting.

5.         We acknowledge that we either (A) are not a fiduciary of a pension, profit- sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (a “Plan”), or an entity whose assets include “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity and are not purchasing the Offered Securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity and is not purchasing the Offered Securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan or (B) are eligible for the exemptive relief available under one ore more of the following prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor: PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14.

6.         We acknowledge that the Trust and the Company and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing acknowledges, representations, warranties and agreements and agree that if any of the acknowledgments, representations, warranties and agreements deemed to have been made by our purchase of the Offered Securities are no longer accurate, we shall promptly notify the Initial Purchasers. If we are acquiring any Offered Securities as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, we represent that we have sole discretion with respect to each such investor account and that we have full power to make the foregoing acknowledgments, representations and agreement on behalf of each such investor account.

B-2




Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Name of Purchaser)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

Upon transfer of the Offered Securities would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows.

Name:

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

 

B-3




EXHIBIT C

FORM OF TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
TO BE EXECUTED FOR QIBs

                , [     ]

Community Bancorp Inc.
Community (CA) Capital Trust I
130 W. Fallbrook Street
Fallbrook, CA 92028

Re:                     Purchase of $1,000 stated liquidation amount of Fixed Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities® (TRUPS)® (the “Capital Securities”) of
Community (CA) Capital Trust I

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Declaration dated as of March 23, 2000 (the “Declaration”) among Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, The Bank of New York, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of Community (CA) Capital Trust I. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Declaration.

This letter relates to $[                                    ] aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities which are held in the name of [name of transferor] (the “Transferor”).

In connection with such request, and in respect to such Capital Securities, the transferor does hereby certify that such Capital Securities are being transferred in accordance with (i) the transfer restrictions set forth in the Capital Securities and (ii) Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144A”), to a transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Capital Securities for its own account or an account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction.

You are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

C-1




 

 

 

 

 

(Name of Transferor)

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

C-2




EXHIBIT D

SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE

D-1




JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITY

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR, “FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (C) OR (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO ITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATE AND OTHER INFORMATION MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.




11% Junior Subordinated Debt Security

of

Community Bancorp, Inc.

Community Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware (the “Company”), for value received promises to pay to The Bank of New York, not in its individual capacity but solely as Institutional Trustee for Community (CA) Capital Trust I (the “Holder”) or registered assigns, the principal sum of Ten Million Three Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,310,000) on March 8, 2030, and to pay interest on said principal sum from March 23, 2000, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 8 and September 8 of each year commencing September 8, 2000, at an annual rate equal to 11% (the “Interest Rate”) until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any over due principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at an annual rate equal to 11% compounded semi-annually. The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Debt Security is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest installment, which shall be the close of business on the 15th day next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holders on such Record Date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the registered holders of the Debt Securities not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of and interest on this Debt Security shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debt Security Register or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debt Security is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debt Security will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Trustee.




So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period on the Debt Securities at any time and from time to time during the term of the Debt Securities, for up to 10 consecutive semi-annual periods (each such extended interest payment period, an “Extension Period”), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debt Securities and interest on such accrued interest (such accrued interest and interest thereon referred to herein as “Deferred Interest”) will accrue at the Interest Rate, compounded semi-annually from the date such Deferred Interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, both to the extent permitted by law. No Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all Deferred Interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debt Securities; provided however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity rate and provided further however, during any such Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debt Securities (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Company’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder’s rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Deferred Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Deferred Interest. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date interest on the Debt Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin




such Extension Period or (ii) the date such interest is payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date.

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

This Debt Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

The provisions of this Debt Security are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this certificate.

COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ L. BRUCE MILLS, JR.

 

 

 

Name: L. BRUCE MILLS, JR.

 

 

Title: CORPORATE SECRETARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:  March 23, 2000

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as the
Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Annette L. Kos

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

 




[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

This Debt Security is one of a duly authorized series of Debt Securities of the Company, all issued or to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of March 23, 2000, duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debt Securities (referred to herein as the “Debt Securities”) of which this Debt Security is a part. The summary of the terms of this Debt Security contained herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Indenture.

Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event (a “Special Event”), this Debt Security may become due and payable, in whole or in part, at any time, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event (the “Special Redemption Date”), as the case may be, at the Special Redemption Price. The Company shall also have the right to redeem this Debt Security at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, on any March 8 or September 8 on or after March 8, 2010 (a “Redemption Date”), at the Redemption Price.

Any redemption pursuant to the preceding paragraph will be made, subject to the receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, upon not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ notice. If the Debt Securities are only partially redeemed by the Company, the Debt Securities will be redeemed prorata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee.

“Redemption Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date that occurs within the twelve-month period beginning in the relevant year indicated below, expressed in percentage of the principal amount of the Debt Securities being redeemed:

 

 

Year Beginning

 

Percentage

 

 

 

March 8, 2010

 

105.438

 

 

 

March 8, 2011

 

104.894

 

 

 

March 8, 2012

 

104.350

 

 

 

March 8, 2013

 

103.806

 

 

 

March 8, 2014

 

103.263

 

 

 

March 8, 2015

 

102.719

 

 

 

March 8, 2016

 

102.175

 

 

 

March 8, 2017

 

101.631

 

 

 

March 8, 2018

 

101.088

 

 

 

March 8, 2019

 

100.544

 

 

 

March 8, 2020 and after

 

100.000

 




plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date or in the case of a redemption due to the occurrence of a Special Event, to the Special Redemption Date.

“Special Redemption Price” means (1) if the Special Redemption Date is before March 8, 2010, the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the Debt Securities being redeemed pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture and (b) as determined by a Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of scheduled payments of principal and interest over the Remaining Life of such Debt Securities, discounted to the Special Redemption Date on a semi­annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 0.45%, plus, in the case of either (a) or (b), accrued and unpaid interest on such Debt Securities to the Special Redemption Date and (2) if the Special Redemption Date is on or after March 8, 2010, the Redemption Price for such Special Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” mean with respect to any Special Redemption Date the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a period from three months before to three months after March 8, 2010, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities shall be used as the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such securities.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (a) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

“Primary Treasury Dealer” shall mean a primary United States Government securities dealer in New York City.

“Quotation Agent” means Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. and its successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary United States Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Trustee after consultation with the Corporation.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Special 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 such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Special Redemption Date.

“Treasury Rate” means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the date of calculation, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated H.I5 (519) or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities”, for the maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Special Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Special Redemption Date.

In the event of redemption of this Debt Security in part only, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debt Securities may be declared due and payable, and upon such declaration of acceleration shall become due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, as specified in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, without the consent of the holders of each Debt Security then outstanding and affected thereby (i) extend the fixed maturity of the Debt Securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any redemption premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or make the principal of, or interest or premium on, the Debt Securities payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debt Securities, or impair or affect the right of any holder of Debt Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby as provided in the Indenture, on behalf of all of the holders of the Debt Securities, to waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the Indenture, and its




consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt Securities. Any such consent or waiver by the registered holder of this Debt Security (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued in exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Debt Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debt Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Debt Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations herein and therein set forth, this Debt Security is transferable by the registered holder hereof on the Debt Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Debt Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee in the City and State of New York accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly executed by the registered holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Debt Securities of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation thereto.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Debt Security, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and the Debt Security registrar may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debt Security registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the interest on this Debt Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly waived and released.

The Debt Securities are issuable only in registered certificated form without coupons. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations herein and therein set forth, Debt Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the holder surrendering the same.




All terms used in this Debt Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE INDENTURE AND THE DEBT SECURITIES, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.




EXHIBIT E

PLACEMENT AGREEMENT

E-1




COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL TRUST I

$10,000,000
11% Fixed Rate Capital Trust Pass-Through Securities
® (TruPS)®

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed as to Distributions

and Other Payments by
Community Bancorp Inc.

PLACEMENT AGREEMENT

New York, New York
As of March 9, 2000

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Community Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware (the “Company”) and Community (CA) Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the “Trust”), propose, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell $10,000,000 of 11% Fixed Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities® of the Trust, having a stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security (the “Capital Securities”). Salomon Smith Barney Inc. is acting as the exclusive agent of the Company and the Trust in connection with the offering of the Capital Securities.

The Capital Securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Company with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment (the “Guarantee”) pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement (the “Guarantee Agreement”), to be dated as of the Closing Date specified in Section 3 hereof and executed and delivered by the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Guarantee Trustee”), for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Capital Securities. The entire proceeds from the sale of the Capital Securities will be combined with the entire proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Company of its common securities (the “Common Securities”), and will be used by the Trust to purchase $10,310,000 in principal amount of the Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2030 of the Company (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”). The Capital Securities and the Common Securities for the Trust will be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”), to be dated as of the Closing Date among the Company, as sponsor, the Administrator(s) named therein (the “Administrators”), The Bank of New York (Delaware), a Delaware corporation (the “Delaware Trustee”), The Bank of New York (the “Institutional Trustee”), and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the




Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture, to be dated as of the Closing Date (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Indenture Trustee”).

The Capital Securities, the Common Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” This Agreement, the Indenture, the Declaration, the Guarantee Agreement and the Securities are referred to collectively as the “Operative Documents.” Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the respective meanings specified in the Declaration.

The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

1.         Representations and Warranties. The Company and the Trust jointly and severally represent and warrant to, and agree with you as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a)       Neither the Company nor the Trust, nor any of their Affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act (“Regulation D”)), nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made offers or sales of any security, or solicited offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require the registration of any of the Securities under the Securities Act.

(b)       Neither the Company nor the Trust, nor any of their Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of any of the Securities.

(c)       The Securities satisfy the eligibility requirements of Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

(d)       Neither the Company nor the Trust, nor any of their Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Securities within the meaning of Regulation S.

(e)       Neither the Company nor the Trust is an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” in each case within the meaning of Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) without regard to Section 3(c) of the Investment Company Act.

(f)        Neither the Company nor the Trust has paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any of the Securities.

(g)       The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C. 3801, et seq. (the “Business Trust Act”) with the power and authority to own property and to conduct the business it transacts and proposes to transact and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Operative Documents. The Trust is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary, except where the failure to

2




so qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on such Trust. The Trust is not a party to or otherwise bound by any agreement other than the Operative Documents. The Trust is and will, under current law, be classified for federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation.

(h)       The Declaration has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Administrators of the relevant Trust, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, be a valid and binding obligation of the Company and such Administrators, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (“Bankruptcy and Equity”). Each of the Administrators of the Trust is an employee of the Company and has been duly authorized by the Company to execute and deliver the Declaration.

(i)        Each of the Guarantee Agreement and the Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing Date will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Guarantee Trustee, in the case of the Guarantee, and by the Indenture Trustee, in the case of the Indenture, be a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity.

(j)        The Capital Securities and the Common Securities have been duly authorized by the Declaration and, when issued and delivered against payment therefore on the Closing Date to you, in the case of the Capital Securities, and to the Company, in the case of the Common Securities, will be validly issued and represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. The issuance of none of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities is subject to preemptive or other similar rights. On the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding Common Securities will be directly owned by the Company free and clear of any pledge, security interest, claim, lien or other encumbrance.

(k)       The Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered to the Indenture Trustee for authentication in accordance with the Indenture, and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment therefore by the Trust, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity.

(l)        This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trust.

(m)      The Trust is not in violation of the Declaration or any provision of the Business Trust Act. The execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Documents to which it is a party by the Company or Trust, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein, will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or other encumbrance upon any

3




property or assets of the Trust, the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Trust, the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of any of them is subject, except for a conflict, breach, default, lien, charge or encumbrance which could not reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein, nor will such action result in any violation of the Declaration or the Business Trust Act or require the consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body.

(n)       The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of Delaware, with all requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct the business it transacts and proposes to transact, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the nature of its activities requires such qualification except where the failure of the Company to be so qualified would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a materially adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings or business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not occurring in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(o)       Each of the Company’s significant subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 1 (the “Subsidiaries”) has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with all requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct the business it transacts and proposes to transact, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the nature of its activities requires such qualification except where the failure of such Subsidiary to be so qualified would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p)       The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have all requisite power and authority, and all necessary material authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from regulatory or governmental officials, bodies and tribunals, to own or lease their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses as now being conducted, and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates or permits which, singly or in the aggregate, if the failure to be so licensed or approved or if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders and consents, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(q)       The audited consolidated financial statements (including the notes thereto) and schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for December 31, 1998 (the “Financial Statements”) and the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for September 30, 1999 (the “Interim Financial Statements”) provided to you are the most recent available audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, respectively, and fairly presents in all material respects, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the

4




financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, and the results of operations and changes in financial condition as of the dates and for the periods therein specified, subject, in the case of Interim Financial Statements, to year-end adjustments. Such consolidated financial statements and schedules have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).

(r)        The Company’s report on FRY-9C dated December 31, 1999 (the “FRY-9C”) provided to you is the most recent available such report and the information therein fairly presents in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(s)       Since the respective dates of the Financial Statements, Interim Financial Statements and the FRY-9C, and since the matters disclosed in the Company’s press releases of February 23, 2000 and March 7, 2000, there has been no material adverse change or development with respect to the financial condition or earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(t)        Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of its respective charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is subject, the effect of which violation or default in performance or observance would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(u)       The Company is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”), and the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), and the deposit accounts of the Company’s subsidiary banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to the fullest extent permitted by law and the rules and regulations of the FDIC, and no proceeding for the termination of such insurance are pending or threatened.

2.         Sale of the Capital Securities. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company and the Trust jointly and severally hereby appoint you as placement agent (the “Placement Agent”), and you hereby accept such appointment, to act as the exclusive agent of the Company and the Trust, in connection with the offering of the Capital Securities contemplated hereby, for the purpose of soliciting offers and sales of the Capital Securities.

The Placement Agent shall solicit offers to purchase Capital Securities in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. The Placement Agent shall use its best efforts, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to procure subscribers for the Capital Securities with an aggregate stated liquidation amount of $10,000,000 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the stated liquidation amount thereof. The Placement Agent shall not, in

5




fulfilling its obligations hereunder, act as an underwriter for the Capital Securities and is in no way obligated, directly or indirectly, to advance its own funds to purchase any Capital Securities.

If the sale and delivery of the Capital Securities as provided herein is consummated, the Company will pay to the Placement Agent on the Closing Date a commission per Capital Security equal to 3% of the stated liquidation amount thereof. Any payment pursuant to this Section 2 shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the U.S. account designated in writing by the party entitled to receive such payment.

The dividend rate of the Capital Securities, as of the date hereof, is 11%. Under certain circumstances, the dividend rate of the Capital Securities may be reduced pursuant to a written agreement between you and the Company made prior to the Closing Date.

3.         Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the Capital Securities shall be made at 10:00 AM, New York City time, on March 23, 2000, or such later date as you shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between you, on the one hand, and the Company and the Trust, on the other hand (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Capital Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”).

Delivery of the Capital Securities shall be made at such location, and in such names and denominations, as you shall designate at least one business day in advance of the Closing Date. The Company and the Trust agree to have the Capital Securities available for inspection and checking by you in New York, New York, not later than 1:00 PM on the business day prior to the Closing Date. The closing for the purchase and sale of the Capital Securities shall occur at the offices of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, One Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006, or such other place as the parties hereto shall agree.

4.         Representations. You represent to the Company and the Trust that:

(a)       You are aware that the Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S persons except in accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. You will not offer, sell or arrange for the offer or sale of any Securities to purchasers (“Purchasers”) except in privately negotiated transactions that will not require registration of the Securities under the Securities Act. Terms used in the first sentence of this subsection (a) have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act.

(b)       You have not offered or sold or and will not arrange for the offer or sale of the Capital Securities except (i) in an offshore transaction complying with Rule 903 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (ii) to those you reasonably believe are qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and that in connection with each such sale, you have taken or will take reasonable steps to ensure that the purchaser of any Capital Securities is aware that such sale is being made in reliance on Rule 144A or (iii) to “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(l), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D) who provide to you and to the Company a letter in the form set out in the Declaration.

6




(c)       You represent and agree that you and each of your Affiliates has not entered, and will not enter into any contractual arrangement with respect to the distribution of the Securities except with the prior written consent of the Company

(d)       Neither you, nor any of your Affiliates, nor any person acting on your or their behalf has engaged, or will engage, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of the Securities.

(e)       Neither you nor any or your Affiliates, nor any person acting on your or their behalf, has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act with respect to the Securities.

5.         Agreements. The Company and the Trust agree with the Placement Agent that:

(a)       The Company and the Trust will arrange for the qualification of the Capital Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as you may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the sale of the Capital Securities. The Company or the Trust, as the case may be, will promptly advise you of the receipt by the Company or the Trust, as the case may be, of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Capital Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

(b)       Neither the Company nor the Trust will, nor will either of them permit any of its Affiliates to, resell any Capital Securities that have been acquired by any of them.

(c)       Neither the Company nor the Trust will, nor will either of them permit any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, to, directly or indirectly, make offers or sales of any security, or solicit offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require the registration of any of the Securities under the Securities Act.

(d)       Neither the Company nor the Trust will, nor will either of them permit any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, to, engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of the any of the Securities.

(e)       Neither the Company nor the Trust will, nor will either of them permit any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf to engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act with respect to the Securities.

(f)        So long as any of the Securities are outstanding and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, each of the Company and the Trust will, during any period in which it is not subject to and in compliance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or it is not exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act, provide to each holder of such restricted securities and to each prospective purchaser (as designated by such holder) of such

7




restricted securities, upon the request of such holder or prospective purchaser, any information required to be provided by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. This covenant is intended to be for the benefit of the holders, and the prospective purchasers designated by such holders, from time to time of such restricted securities. The information provided by the Company and the Trust pursuant to this Section 5(f) hereof will not, at the date thereof, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(g)       Neither the Company nor the Trust will, until 180 days following the Closing Date, without your prior written consent, offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, (i) any Capital Securities or other securities of the Trust other than as contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) any securities that are substantially similar to the Securities or (iii) any other securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any of (i) or (ii), or enter into an agreement, or announce an intention, to do any of the foregoing.

(h)       The Company agrees to pay (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Capital Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the fees and expenses of qualifying the Capital Securities under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 5(a); and (iii) the fees and expenses of the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration), the Guarantee Trustee and the Indenture Trustee.

6.         Conditions to Your Obligations. Your obligations to use your best efforts to procure subscription and payment for the Capital Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the Trust contained herein as of the date and time that this Agreement is executed (the “Execution Time”) and the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company and the Trust made in any Capital Securities pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Trust of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a)       The Company shall have furnished to you the opinion of Reitner & Stuart, special counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to you to, in substantially the form set out in Annex A hereto.

(b)       The Company shall have furnished to you the opinion of Rosenman & Colin, LLP, special tax counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, containing such assumptions, qualifications and limitations as shall be reasonably acceptable to you and your counsel to the effect that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Subordinated Debt Securities will constitute indebtedness of the Company.

(c)       You shall have received the opinion of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP, special Delaware counsel for the Company and the Trust, dated the Closing Date, addressed to you, in substantially the form set out in Annex B hereto.

8




(d)       You shall have received the opinion of White & Case, LLP, counsel for the Guarantee Trustee, the Institutional Trustee and the Indenture Trustee, dated the Closing Date addressed to you, in substantially the form set out in Annex C hereto.

(e)       You shall have received the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, counsel for the Delaware Trustee, dated the Closing Date, addressed to you, in substantially the form set out in Annex D hereto.

(f)        The Company shall have furnished to you a certificate of the Company, signed by a Vice President and by a Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

(i)        the representations and warranties of the Company and the Trust in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date, and the Company and the Trust have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on either of their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date; and

(ii)       since the date of the most recent financial statements provided to you and since the matters disclosed in the Company’s press releases of February 23, 2000 and March 7, 2000, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business.

(g)       Subsequent to the Execution Time there shall not have been any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries the effect of which, is, in your judgment, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Capital Securities.

(h)       Prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Trust shall have furnished to you such further information, certificates and documents as you may reasonably request.

(i)        At the Closing Date, each of the Operative Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto, and copies thereof shall have been delivered to you.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions, certificates and documents mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to you, this Agreement and all your obligations hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by you. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company and the Trust in writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.

7.         Reimbursement of Your Expenses. If the sale of the Capital Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 9 hereof or because of any refusal,

9




inability or failure on the part of the Company or the Trust to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof, the Company will reimburse you upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by you in connection with the proposed offering of the Capital Securities.

8.         Indemnification. (a) The Company and the Trust agree jointly and severally to indemnify and hold harmless you and your directors, officers, employees and agents and each person who controls you within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any information (whether oral or written) or documents furnished or made available to you in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company or the Trust may otherwise have.

(b)       The Company agrees to indemnify the Trust against all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as due from the Trust under Section 8(a) hereunder.

(c)       Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve the indemnifying party from liability under paragraph (a), above unless and to the extent that the indemnifying party did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified

10




parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

9.         Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of you, by notice given to the Company and the Trust prior to delivery of and payment for the Capital Securities, if prior to such time (i) trading in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended by the Commission or the National Association of Securities Dealers or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such Exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or California authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in your judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Capital Securities.

10.       Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company and the Trust or their respective officers or trustees and of you set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of you, the Company or the Trust or any of the officers, directors or trustees, administrators, controlling persons, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Capital Securities. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

11.       Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to you, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, attention of the Legal Department; if sent to the Company or the Trust, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at 130 W. Fallbrook Street, Fallbrook, California 92028, Attention: Thomas E. Swanson, President and Chief Executive Officer.

12.       Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

13.       Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

11




If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company, the Trust and you.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Bancorp Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas E. Swanson

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Thomas E. Swanson

 

 

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community (CA) Capital Trust I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas E. Swanson

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Thomas E. Swanson

 

 

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ L. Bruce Mills, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

Name: L. Bruce Mills, Jr.

 

 

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul R. Bitler

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Paul R. Bitler

 

 

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

12




SCHEDULE 1

List of Significant Subsidiaries

Fallbrook National Bank

13




ANNEX A

Pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Placement Agreement, the special counsel of the Company shall deliver an opinion to the effect that:

(i)        each of the Company and the Subsidiaries (A) has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct the business it transacts and proposes to transact, (B) is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification wherein it owns or leases material properties or conducts material business, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and (C) holds all material approvals, authorizations, orders, licenses, certificates and permits from governmental authorities necessary for the conduct of its business, except where the failure to hold such approvals, authorizations, orders, licenses, certificates and/or permits would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii)       no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or in the Operative Documents, in connection with the solicitation of the purchase and sale of the Capital Securities by you or the purchase of the Subordinated Debt Securities by the Trust except such approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained;

(iii)      neither the issue and sale of the Capital Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities, the execution and delivery of the Operative Documents by the Company or the Trust and the consummation of any other of the transactions therein contemplated in any Operative Document nor the fulfillment of the terms thereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any law or the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel and to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or bound or any judgment, order, decree, of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any provision of applicable law, known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults which are not, in the aggregate, material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and which do not adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Operative Documents;

(iv)      the Company is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations thereunder of the Federal Reserve, and the deposit accounts of the Company’s banking subsidiaries are insured by the FDIC




to the fullest extent permitted by law and the rules and regulations of the FDIC, and no proceeding for the termination of such insurance are pending or threatened;

(v)       each of the Indenture and the Guarantee Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and (in the case of the Indenture and the Guarantee, respectively, assuming it is duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Indenture Trustee and the Guarantee Trustee, respectively) constitutes a legal, valid and binding instrument of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity; the Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly and validly authorized and delivered to the Indenture Trustee for authentication in accordance with the Indenture, when authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the relevant Trust, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity;

(vi)      this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(vii)     the Declaration has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trust;

(viii)    this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Trust;

(ix)       neither the Company nor the Trust is an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” in each case within the meaning of Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act; and

(x)        assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties and compliance with the agreements contained herein, no registration of any of the Securities under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale to you of the Capital Securities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, and the Indenture, the Declaration and the Guarantee are not required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

In rendering such opinions, such counsel may (A) state that its opinion is limited to the laws of New York, the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the Federal laws of the United States and (B) rely as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than New York and Delaware or the United States, to the extent deemed proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing believed to be reliable and who are satisfactory to you and as to matters of fact, to the extent deemed proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.

2




ANNEX B

Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Placement Agreement, Richards, Layton & Finger shall deliver an opinion in the following form.

(i)        The Trust is a duly formed and validly existing statutory business trust in good standing under the Business Trust Act of the State of Delaware with the business trust power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Securities and the Declaration and to own property and conduct its business as described in the Declaration.

(ii)       Under the Delaware Business Trust Act and the Declaration, the execution and delivery by the Trust of this Agreement, and the performance by the Trust of its obligations hereunder, have been duly authorized by all necessary business trust action on the part of the Trust.

(iii)      The Declaration constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Trustees, enforceable against the Company and the Trustees, in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to the effect upon the Declaration of (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance and transfer, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting the remedies and rights of creditors, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered or applied in a proceeding in equity or at law), (c) considerations of public policy or the effect of applicable law relating to fiduciary duties, and (d) principles of course of dealing or course of performance and standards of good faith, fair dealing, materiality or reasonableness that may be applied by a court to the exercise of rights or remedies.

(iv)      The Common Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust and upon issuance and delivery by the Trust to the Company against payment therefor as described in the Declaration, will be duly and validly issued and will represent duly issued beneficial interests in the Trust. The issuance of the Common Securities is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights under the Declaration or the Business Trust Act; provided, that such counsel may note that the holders of Common Securities may be required to make payment or provide indemnity or security as set forth in the Declaration.

(v)       The Capital Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust, and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and, subject to the qualifications set forth herein, fully paid and non-assessable beneficial interests in the Trust; the issuance of the Capital Securities is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights under the Declaration or the Business Trust Act; and the holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; provided that such counsel need express no opinion as to any holder of a Capital Security that is, was or becomes a named Trustee of the Trust. Such counsel may note




that the holders of the Capital Securities may be required to make payment or provide indemnity or security as set forth in the Declaration.

(vi)      The issuance and sale by the Trust of the Securities, the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the Agreement, the consummation by the Trust of the transactions contemplated therein and the compliance by the Trust with its obligations thereunder do not violate (a) any of the provisions of the Certificate of Trust of the Trust or the Declaration or (b) any Delaware law or Delaware administrative regulation applicable to the Trust.

(vii)     Assuming that the Trust derives no income from or connected with sources within the State of Delaware and has no assets, activities (other than having a Delaware trustee as required by the Delaware Business Trust Act and the filing of documents with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware) or employees in the State of Delaware, no authorization, approval, consent or order of any Delaware court or Delaware governmental authority or Delaware agency is required to be obtained by the Trust solely as a result of the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the consummation by the Trust of the transactions contemplated herein or the compliance by the Trust with its obligations hereunder, except such as have been obtained and such as may be required by the securities laws of the State of Delaware (as to which such counsel need express no opinion).

(viii)    Assuming that the Trust derives no income from or connected with sources within the State of Delaware and has no assets, activities (other than having a Delaware trustee as required by the Delaware Business Trust Act and the filing of documents with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware) or employees in the State of Delaware, and assuming that the Trust is treated as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and that the holders of the Capital Securities are viewed for federal income tax purposes as owners of either all of, or their liquidation and accrued but unpaid share of, the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Trust, the holders of Capital Securities (other than those holders of Capital Securities, or persons who are partners or S corporation shareholders for federal income tax purposes in such holders of Capital Securities, who reside or are domiciled in the State of Delaware or who are otherwise subject to income taxation in the State of Delaware) will have no liability for income taxes imposed by the State of Delaware solely as a result of their participation in the Trust, and the Trust will not be liable for any income tax imposed by the State of Delaware (in rendering the opinion expressed in this paragraph (viii), such counsel need express no opinion concerning the securities laws of the State of Delaware).

2




ANNEX C

Pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Placement Agreement, White & Case LLP shall deliver an opinion to the effect that:

(i)        The Bank of New York, is a national banking association with trust powers duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the United States of America with all necessary corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of the Guarantee Agreement, the Declaration and the Indenture;

(ii)       the execution, delivery and performance by The Bank of New York of the Guarantee Agreement, the Declaration and the Indenture have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of The Bank of New York and each of the Guarantee Agreement, the Declaration and the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by The Bank of New York, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of The Bank of New York, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms (subject to Bankruptcy and Equity);

(iii)      the execution, delivery and performance of the Guarantee Agreement, the Declaration and the Indenture by The Bank of New York do not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of The Bank of New York; and

(iv)      no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any governmental authority or agency of the United States of America governing the banking or trust powers of The Bank of New York is required for the execution, delivery or performance by it of the Guarantee Agreement, the Declaration and the Indenture.




ANNEX D

Pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Placement Agreement, Richards, Layton & Finger shall deliver an opinion to the following form.

1.         The Delaware Trustee has been duly incorporated and is validly existing in good standing as a banking corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2.         The Delaware Trustee has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver each Declaration of Trust, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery of each Declaration of Trust.

3.         Neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of each Declaration of Trust, nor the consummation of any of the transactions by the Delaware Trustee contemplated thereby, are in violation of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee or of any law, governmental rule or regulation of the State of Delaware or the United States governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Trustee or, to our knowledge, without independent investigation, of any indenture, mortgage, bank credit agreement, note or bond purchase agreement, long-term lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Delaware Trustee is a party or by which it is bound or, to our knowledge, without independent investigation, of any judgment or order applicable to the Delaware Trustee.

4.         Neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of each Declaration of Trust, nor the consummation of any of the transactions by the Delaware Trustee contemplated thereby, requires the consent or approval of, the withholding of objection on the part of, the giving of notice to, the filing, registration or qualification with, or the taking of any other action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency of the State of Delaware or the United States of America governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Trustee, except for the filing of the certificate of trust for each Trust with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del C. § 3801, et seq.



EX-10.21 9 a07-4181_1ex10d21.htm EX-10.21

Exhibit 10.21

 

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

Dated as of March 23, 2000




Table of Contents

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

 

 

SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation

1

 

 

ARTICLE II
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 2.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee

4

SECTION 2.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee

5

SECTION 2.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee

7

SECTION 2.4 Events of Default; Waiver

7

SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Notice

8

 

 

ARTICLE III
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 3.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

8

SECTION 3.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee

9

 

 

ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 4.1 Guarantee

9

SECTION 4.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand

10

SECTION 4.3 Obligations Not Affected

10

SECTION 4.4 Rights of Holders

11

SECTION 4.5 Guarantee of Payment

11

SECTION 4.6 Subrogation

11

SECTION 4.7 Independent Obligations

12

SECTION 4.8 Enforcement by a Beneficiary

12

 

 

ARTICLE V
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

 

 

 

SECTION 5.1 Limitation of Transactions

12

SECTION 5.2 Ranking

13

 

 

ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION

 

 

 

SECTION 6.1 Termination

13

 

 

ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

 

SECTION 7.1 Exculpation

13

SECTION 7.2 Indemnification

14

SECTION 7.3 Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses

15

 

i




 

ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns

15

SECTION 8.2 Amendments

16

SECTION 8.3 Notices

16

SECTION 8.4 Benefit

16

SECTION 8.5 Governing Law

17

 

ii




GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the “Guarantee”), dated as of March 23, 2000, is executed and delivered by Community Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware (the “Guarantor”), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Guarantee Trustee”), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Community (CA) Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”), dated as of March 23, 2000, among the trustees named therein of the Issuer, Community Bancorp, Inc., as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of up to $10,000,000, designated the Fixed Rate Capital Trust Pass-through Securities® (the “Capital Securities”);

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of Capital Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of the Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation

In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee has the same meaning throughout;

(c) all references to “the Guarantee” or “this Guarantee” are to this Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d) all references in this Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

(e) terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of this Guarantee have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and

(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

1




“Beneficiaries” means any Person to whom the Trust is or hereafter becomes indebted or liable.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Guarantee Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21W, New York, NY 10286.

“Covered Person” means any Holder of Capital Securities.

“Debentures” means the junior subordinated debentures of Community Bancorp, Inc., designated the 11% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2030, held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.

“Declaration Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Declaration.

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

“Guarantee Payments” means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) which are required to be paid on such Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price (as defined in the Indenture) to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, (iii) the Special Redemption Price (as defined in the Indenture) to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to Capital Securities redeemed upon the occurrence of a Special Event (as defined in the Indenture), and (iv) upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the “Liquidation Distribution”).

“Guarantee Trustee” means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

“Holder” shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, “Holder” shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

“Indemnified Person” means the Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Guarantee Trustee.

2




“Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of March 23, 2000, between the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the Institutional Trustee of the Issuer.

“Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Guarantee Payments” herein.

“Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Capital Securities, voting together as a class, but separately from the holders of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Capital Securities then outstanding.

“Obligations” means any costs, expenses or liabilities (but not including liabilities related to taxes) of the Trust, other than obligations of the Trust to pay to holders of any Trust Securities the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Trust Securities.

“Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer’s Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officer’s Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officer’s Certificate;

(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

“Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Guarantee Payments” herein.

“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee, including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above

3




designated officers and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 3.1.

“Trust Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

ARTICLE II
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 2.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee

(a) This Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Capital Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 4.4(b) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after curing all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.4) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(d) No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee, and the

4




Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee; and

(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee;

(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that such Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee or the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; and

(iv) no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee, or security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 2.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1:

(i) The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate.

5




(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Guarantor which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv) The Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof).

(v) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction.

(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses and the expenses of the Guarantee Trustee’s agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 2.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee.

(vii) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(viii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

6




(ix) Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(x) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions.

(xi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee.

(b) No provision of this Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

SECTION 2.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee

The recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee.

SECTION 2.4 Events of Default; Waiver

(a) An Event of Default under this Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Guarantor to perform any of its payment or other obligations hereunder.

(b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Capital Securities may, voting or consenting as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

7




SECTION 2.5 Events of Default; Notice

(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Capital Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, however, that the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice from the Guarantor or a Holder of the Capital Securities (except in the case of a payment default), or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of this Guarantee shall have obtained actual knowledge, thereof.

ARTICLE III
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 3.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 3.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 3.2(c).

(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Guarantee.

8




SECTION 3.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee

(a) Subject to Section 3.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of Default.

(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 3.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by an instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 3.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(e) No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(f) Upon termination of this Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee all amounts owing to the Guarantee Trustee under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE

SECTION 4.1 Guarantee

(a) The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense (except as defense of payment by the Issuer), right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor’s obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

(b) The Guarantor hereby also agrees to assume any and all Obligations of the Trust and in the event any such Obligation is not so assumed, subject to the terms and conditions

9




hereof, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Beneficiary the full payment, when and as due, of any and all obligations to such Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.

SECTION 4.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand

The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

SECTION 4.3 Obligations Not Affected

The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted by the Indenture);

(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital Securities;

(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or

10




(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 4.4 Rights of Holders

(a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; provided, however, that (subject to Section 2.1) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee shall determine that the actions so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction or if the Guarantee Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Guarantor Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committees or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.

(b) Any Holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee Trustee’s rights under this Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any such action be brought first against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person before so proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

SECTION 4.5 Guarantee of Payment

This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

SECTION 4.6 Subrogation

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, after giving effect to any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

11




SECTION 4.7 Independent Obligations

The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 4.3 hereof.

SECTION 4.8 Enforcement by a Beneficiary

A Beneficiary may enforce the obligations of the Guarantor contained in Section 4.1(b) directly against the Guarantor and the Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the Trust or any other person or entity before preceding against the Guarantor. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of any Beneficiary against the Trust in respect of any amounts paid to the Beneficiaries by the Guarantor under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Agreement, if, after giving effect to such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Agreement.

ARTICLE V
 LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

SECTION 5.1 Limitation of Transactions

So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (a) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or a Declaration Event of Default or (b) the Guarantor shall have selected an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Guarantor may not (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor’s capital stock or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than (i) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Guarantor in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Guarantor (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to occurrence of the Event of Default or Declaration Event of Default or the applicable Extension Period, (ii) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Guarantor) for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Guarantor’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock

12




or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder’s rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (v) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock).

SECTION 5.2 Ranking

This Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the Guarantor. By their acceptance thereof, each Holder of Capital Securities agrees to the foregoing provisions of this Guarantee and the other terms set forth herein.

The right of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the Guarantor for payments thereunder. This Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Guarantor, including Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, under any indenture that the Guarantor may enter into in the future or otherwise.

ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION

SECTION 6.1 Termination

This Guarantee shall terminate as to the Capital Securities (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon dissolution of the Issuer. This Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 7.1 Exculpation

(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred

13




on such Indemnified Person by this Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Issuer or the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Issuer or the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected with reasonable care by such Indemnified Person, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Capital Securities might properly be paid.

SECTION 7.2 Indemnification

(a) The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Person, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of the Indemnified Person defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Indemnified Person’s powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

(b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person under this Section 7.2 of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Guarantor under this Section 7.2, notify the Guarantor in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Guarantor (i) will not relieve the Guarantor from liability under paragraph (a) above unless and to the extent that the Guarantor did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Guarantor of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the Guarantor from any obligations to any Guarantor other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) above. The Guarantor shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the Guarantor’s choice at the Guarantor’s expense to represent the Indemnified Person in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the Guarantor shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Persons except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the Guarantor’s election to appoint counsel to represent the Guarantor in an action, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Guarantor shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Guarantor to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the Indemnified Person and the Guarantor and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal

14




defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Person which are different from or additional to those available to the Guarantor, (iii) the Guarantor shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the Guarantor shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor will not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

SECTION 7.3 Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses

The Guarantor agrees:

(a) to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree to from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in accordance with any provision of this Guarantee (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

The provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns

All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Guarantor with or into another entity or any sale, transfer or lease of the Guarantor’s assets to another entity, in each case, to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Guarantee without the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

15




SECTION 8.2 Amendments

Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities. The provisions of the Declaration with respect to amendments thereof apply to the giving of such approval.

SECTION 8.3 Notices

All notices provided for in this Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a) If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities):

The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, Floor 21W
New York, NY 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telecopy: 212-815-5915

(b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and to the Guarantee Trustee):

Community Bancorp Inc.
130 W. Fallbrook Street
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Attention: Thomas E. Swanson
Telecopy: 760-731-5649

(c) If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 8.4 Benefit

This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities and, subject to Section 2.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Capital Securities.

16




SECTION 8.5 Governing Law

THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

17




THIS GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written.

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.,
as Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas E. Swanson

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Guarantee Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANNETTE L. KOS

 

 

 

Name: ANNETTE L. KOS

 

 

Title: Assistant Vice President

 

18



EX-10.22 10 a07-4181_1ex10d22.htm EX-10.22

Exhibit 10.22

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST

by and among

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Institutional Trustee,

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.,
as Sponsor,

and

MICHAEL J. PERDUE, THOMAS E. SWANSON and
L. BRUCE MILLS, JR.,
as Administrators,

Dated as of September 17, 2003

 

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

 

1

Section 1.1.

 

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

 

7

Section 2.1.

 

Name

 

7

Section 2.2.

 

Office

 

7

Section 2.3.

 

Purpose

 

7

Section 2.4.

 

Authority

 

7

Section 2.5.

 

Title to Property of the Trust

 

7

Section 2.6.

 

Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators

 

8

Section 2.7.

 

Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional Trustee

 

11

Section 2.8.

 

Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee

 

12

Section 2.9.

 

Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee and Administrators

 

13

Section 2.10.

 

Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee

 

14

Section 2.11.

 

Execution of Documents

 

16

Section 2.12.

 

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

 

16

Section 2.13.

 

Duration of Trust

 

16

Section 2.14.

 

Mergers

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III SPONSOR

 

18

Section 3.1.

 

Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities

 

18

Section 3.2.

 

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

 

18

Section 3.3.

 

Expenses

 

18

Section 3.4.

 

Right to Proceed

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

19

Section 4.1.

 

Institutional Trustee; Eligibility

 

19

Section 4.2.

 

Administrators

 

20

Section 4.3.

 

Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Institutional Trustee and Administrators

 

20

Section 4.4.

 

Institutional Trustee Vacancies

 

21

Section 4.5.

 

Effect of Vacancies

 

21

Section 4.6.

 

Meetings of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators

 

21

Section 4.7.

 

Delegation of Power

 

22

Section 4.8.

 

Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS

 

22

Section 5.1.

 

Distributions

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

 

22

Section 6.1.

 

General Provisions Regarding Securities

 

22

Section 6.2.

 

Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

23

Section 6.3.

 

Form and Dating

 

23

Section 6.4.

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

 

24

Section 6.5.

 

Temporary Securities

 

24

Section 6.6.

 

Cancellation

 

24

 

i




 

Section 6.7.

 

Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

 

26

Section 7.1.

 

Dissolution and Termination of Trust

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

 

27

Section 8.1.

 

General

 

27

Section 8.2.

 

Transfer Procedures and Restrictions

 

28

Section 8.3.

 

Deemed Security Holders

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS

 

30

Section 9.1.

 

Liability

 

30

Section 9.2.

 

Exculpation

 

30

Section 9.3.

 

Fiduciary Duty

 

31

Section 9.4.

 

Indemnification

 

31

Section 9.5.

 

Outside Businesses

 

33

Section 9.6.

 

Compensation; Fee

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X ACCOUNTING

 

34

Section 10.1.

 

Fiscal Year

 

34

Section 10.2.

 

Certain Accounting Matters

 

34

Section 10.3.

 

Banking

 

34

Section 10.4.

 

Withholding

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

 

35

Section 11.1.

 

Amendments

 

35

Section 11.2.

 

Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE

 

37

Section 12.1.

 

Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS

 

38

Section 13.1.

 

Notices

 

38

Section 13.2.

 

Governing Law

 

39

Section 13.3.

 

Intention of the Parties

 

39

Section 13.4.

 

Headings

 

39

Section 13.5.

 

Successors and Assigns

 

39

Section 13.6.

 

Partial Enforceability

 

39

Section 13.7.

 

Counterparts

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex I

 

Terms of Securities

 

 

Exhibit A-1

 

Form of Capital Security Certificate

 

 

Exhibit A-2

 

Form of Common Security Certificate

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Specimen of Initial Debenture

 

 

Exhibit C

 

Placement Agreement

 

 

 

ii




AMENDED AND RESTATED

DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST II

September 17, 2003

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST (“Declaration”) dated and effective as of September 17, 2003, by the Institutional Trustee (as defined herein), the Administrators (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (as defined herein) to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;

WHEREAS, the Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor established Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II (the “Trust”), a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act (as defined herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of September 4, 2003 (the “Original Declaration”), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut on September 4, 2003, for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain debentures of the Debenture Issuer (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; and

WHEREAS, the Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration;

NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue the Trust as a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act and that this Declaration constitutes the governing instrument of such statutory trust, the Institutional Trustee declares that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.  The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.           Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)           Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)           a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout;

(c)           all references to “the Declaration” or “this Declaration” are to this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d)           all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified; and

1




(e)           a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Administrative Action” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Administrators” means each of Michael J. Perdue, Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., solely in such Person’s capacity as Administrator of the Trust created and continued hereunder and not in such Person’s individual capacity, or such Administrator’s successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor appointed as herein provided.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Authorized Officer” of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person:

(a)           a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(b)           such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of such Person of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Hartford, Connecticut are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.

Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1(a) of Annex I.

Capital Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

Capital Treatment Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Certificate” means any certificate evidencing Securities.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Placement Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Common Securities” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1(b) of Annex I.

2




Common Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

Company Indemnified Person” means (a) any Administrator; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrator; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrator; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Declaration is located at 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.

Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(a) of Annex I.

Covered Person” means: (a) any Administrator, officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) any of the Trust’s Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

Creditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Debenture Issuer” means Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.

Debenture Trustee” means U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.

Debentures” means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2033 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Direct Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(d).

Distribution” means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 5.1.

Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Distribution Period” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(a) of Annex I.

Distribution Rate” means, for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003, the rate per annum of 4.09%, and for the period beginning on (and including) December 17, 2003 and thereafter, the Coupon Rate.

Event of Default” means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a)           the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default; or

3




(b)           default by the Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price of any Security when it becomes due and payable; or

(c)           default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Institutional Trustee in this Declaration (other than those specified in clause (a) or (b) above) and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail to the Institutional Trustee and to the Sponsor by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding Capital Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d)           the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Institutional Trustee if a successor Institutional Trustee has not been appointed within 90 days thereof.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Federal Reserve “ has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Fiduciary Indemnified Person” shall mean the Institutional Trustee, any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee.

Fiscal Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date, of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital Securities.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Statutory Trust Act.

Indemnified Person” means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary Indemnified Person.

Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of the Closing Date, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued, as such Indenture and any supplemental indenture may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Indenture Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Indenture.

Institutional Trustee” means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 4.1.

Interest” means any interest due on the Debentures including any Additional Interest and Defaulted Interest.

Investment Company” means an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Investment Company Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

4




Liquidation” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Officers’ Certificates” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant providing for it in this Declaration shall include:

(a)           a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)           a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

(c)           a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

OTS” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 6.2.

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

Placement Agreement” means the Placement Agreement relating to the offering and sale of Capital Securities in the form of Exhibit C.

Property Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(c).

Pro Rata” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8 of Annex I.

Quorum” means a majority of the Administrators or, if there are only two Administrators, both of them.

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Redemption/Distribution Notice” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(e) of Annex I.

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

5




Registrar” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Securities Legend” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).

Rule 3a-5” means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.

Rule 3a-7” means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.

Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Special Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Special Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Special Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Sponsor” means Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.

Statutory Trust Act” means Chapter 615 of Title 34 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 500, et seq. as may be amended from time to time.

Successor Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(b).

Successor Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).

Successor Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(b).

Super Majority” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 5(b) of Annex I.

Tax Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

10% in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Transfer Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

6




Treasury Regulations” means the income tax regulations, including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Trust Property” means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Property Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Declaration.

U.S. Person” means a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1.           Name. The Trust is named “Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II,” as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators following written notice to the Holders of the Securities. The Trust’s activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrators.

Section 2.2.           Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o U.S. Bank National Association, 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut  06103. On at least 10 Business Days written notice to the Holders of the Securities, the Administrators may designate another principal office, which shall be in a state of the United States or in the District of Columbia.

Section 2.3.           Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell the Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (b) to invest the gross proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, (c) to facilitate direct investment in the assets of the Trust through issuance of the Common Securities and the Capital Securities and (d) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.

Section 2.4.           Authority. Except as specifically provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Institutional Trustee in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Institutional Trustee acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Institutional Trustee to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Institutional Trustee as set forth in this Declaration. The Administrators shall have only those ministerial duties set forth herein with respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Trust and are not intended to be trustees or fiduciaries with respect to the Trust or the Holders. The Institutional Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be obligated except as provided in Section 2.6, to perform those duties assigned to the Administrators.

Section 2.5.           Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 2.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust.  The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust.

7




Section 2.6.           Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators .

(a)           The Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with the terms of this Declaration. Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with the following provisions (i) and (ii), the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the Institutional Trustee to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators, as the case may be, under this Declaration, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without limitation, the following:

(i)            Each Administrator shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A)          the issuance and sale of the Securities;

(B)           to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute and deliver on behalf of the Trust, such agreements as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and function of the Trust, including agreements with the Paying Agent;

(C)           ensuring compliance with the Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws;

(D)          the sending of notices (other than notices of default), and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(E)           the consent to the appointment of a Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with this Declaration, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

(F)           execution and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Declaration;

(G)           execution and delivery of closing certificates pursuant to the Placement Agreement and the application for a taxpayer identification number;

(H)          unless otherwise determined by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities or as otherwise required by the Statutory Trust Act, to execute on behalf of the Trust (either acting alone or together with any or all of the Administrators) any documents that the Administrators have the power to execute pursuant to this Declaration;

(I)            the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder);

(J)            to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; and

8




(K)          to duly prepare and file all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust on behalf of the Trust.

(ii)           As among the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee shall have the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A)          the establishment of the Property Account;

(B)           the receipt of the Debentures;

(C)           the collection of interest, principal and any other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Property Account;

(D)          the distribution through the Paying Agent of amounts owed to the Holders in respect of the Securities;

(E)           the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of the Debentures;

(F)           the sending of notices of default and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(G)           the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the terms of this Declaration;

(H)          to the extent provided in this Declaration, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut;

(I)            after any Event of Default (provided that such Event of Default is not by or with respect to the Institutional Trustee) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration and protect and conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder); and

(J)            to take all action that may be necessary for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust’s valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Connecticut and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created.

(iii)          The Institutional Trustee shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to any of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrators set forth in Section 2.6(a)(i)(D), (E) and (F) herein but shall not have a duty to do any such act unless specifically requested to do so in writing by the Sponsor, and shall then be fully protected in acting pursuant to such written request; and in the event of a conflict between the action of the Administrators and the action of the Institutional Trustee, the action of the Institutional Trustee shall prevail.

9




(b)           So long as this Declaration remains in effect, the Trust (or the Institutional Trustee or Administrators acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Institutional Trustee nor the Administrators may cause the Trust to (i) acquire any investments or engage in any activities not authorized by this Declaration, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly provided herein, (iii) take any action that would reasonably be expected (x) to cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes or (y) to require the trust to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other debt or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement of a lien on any of the Trust Property.  The Institutional Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Trust, defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any lien on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Holders in their capacity as Holders.

(c)           In connection with the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions taken by the Sponsor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this Declaration are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):

(i)            the taking of any action necessary to obtain an exemption from the Securities Act;

(ii)           the determination of the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and the determination of any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and the advice to the Administrators of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and the preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States in connection with the sale of the Capital Securities;

(iii)          the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery of, the Placement Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital Securities; and

(iv)          the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry out any of the foregoing activities.

(d)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the Trust so that the Trust will not (i) be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, and (ii) fail to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes.  The Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities shall not take any action inconsistent with the treatment of the Debentures as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable laws, the Certificate of Trust or this Declaration, as amended from time to time, that each of the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities determines in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes.

10




(e)           All expenses incurred by the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor, and the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall have no obligations with respect to such expenses.

(f)            The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.

(g)           Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators for the benefit of the Trust in accordance with this Declaration.

(h)           If the Institutional Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Declaration and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Institutional Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Sponsor, the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 2.7.           Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional Trustee.

(a)           The Trust shall not, and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to:

(i)            invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;

(ii)           acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;

(iii)          possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose;

(iv)          make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans represented by the Debentures;

(v)           possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever other than as expressly provided herein;

(vi)          issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities;

(vii)         carry on any “trade or business” as that phrase is used in the Code; or

(viii)        other than as provided in this Declaration (including Annex I), (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture,(C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion of counsel to the effect that such modification will not cause the Trust to cease to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes.

11




Section 2.8.           Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee.

(a)           The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust and the Holders of the Securities.  The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 4.3.  Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

(b)           The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest in the Debentures to the Administrators.

(c)           The Institutional Trustee shall:

(i)            establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the “Property Account”) in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee, and maintained in the Institutional Trustee’s trust department, on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Account and make payments, or cause the Paying Agent to make payments, to the Holders of the Capital Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property Account in accordance with Section 5.1.  Funds in the Property Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration;

(ii)           engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and

(iii)          upon written notice of distribution issued by the Administrators in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee may bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action with respect to, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against, the Trust which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or arises out of the Institutional Trustee’s duties and obligations under this Declaration; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder (a “Direct Action”) on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of the Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct Action; provided, however, that no Holder of the Common Securities may exercise such right of subrogation so long as an Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities has occurred and is continuing.

(e)           The Institutional Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee until either:

12




(i)            the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of the Securities and this Declaration; or

(ii)           a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 4.3.

(f)            The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a Holder of the Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee may, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration (including Annex I) and the terms of the Securities.

The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 2.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3.

Section 2.9.           Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee and Administrators .

(a)           The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.7), the Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b)           The duties and responsibilities of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators shall be as provided by this Declaration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional Trustee or Administrators to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate protection against such risk of liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Institutional Trustee or Administrators shall be subject to the provisions of this Article. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed to relieve an Administrator or the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent act, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator has duties and liabilities relating to the Trust or to the Holders, the Institutional Trustee or such Administrator shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Holder for the Institutional Trustee’s or such Administrator’s good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sponsor and the Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee.

(c)           All payments made by the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect of the Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue and proceeds from the Trust

13




Property to the extent legally available for distribution to it as herein provided and that the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Security or for any other liability in respect of any Security. This Section 2.9(c) does not limit the liability of the Institutional Trustee expressly set forth elsewhere in this Declaration.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for its own acts or omissions hereunder except as a result of its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)            the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(ii)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities, as applicable, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iii)          the Institutional Trustee’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for its fiduciary accounts generally, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iv)          the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor; and money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 2.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and

(v)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrators or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrators or the Sponsor.

Section 2.10.        Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.9:

(a)           the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall fully be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, opinion of counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)           if (i) in performing its duties under this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, (ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained herein, or (iii) the Institutional Trustee is unsure of the application of any provision of this Declaration, then, except as to any matter as to which the Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote under the

14




terms of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee may deliver a notice to the Sponsor requesting the Sponsor’s written instructions as to the course of action to be taken and the Institutional Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as the Institutional Trustee shall be instructed in writing, in which event the Institutional Trustee shall have no liability except for its own negligence or willful misconduct;

(c)           any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrators contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

(d)           whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may request and conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate as to factual matters which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrators;

(e)           the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;

(f)            the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection (which counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance with such advice; the Institutional Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;

(g)           the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Institutional Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; provided, that nothing contained in this Section 2.10(g) shall be taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, subject to Section 2.9(b), upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.7), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;

(h)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Holders, but the Institutional Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

(i)            the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or attorneys and the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(j)            whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Capital Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Capital

15




Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such instructions;

(k)           except as otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration;

(l)            when the Institutional Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or law relating to creditors rights generally;

(m)          the Institutional Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Institutional Trustee receives written notice of such event from any Holder, the Sponsor or the Debenture Trustee;

(n)           any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action; and

(o)           no provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Institutional Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Institutional Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

Section 2.11.        Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined in writing by the Institutional Trustee, and except as otherwise required by the Statutory Trust Act, the Institutional Trustee, or any one or more of the Administrators, as the case may be, is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators, as the case may be, have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.

Section 2.12.        Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Institutional Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Institutional Trustee makes no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Institutional Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration, the Debentures or the Securities.

Section 2.13.        Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless earlier dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VII hereof, shall be in existence for 35 years from the Closing Date.

Section 2.14.        Mergers.

(a)           The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other

16




body, except as described in Section 2.14(b) and (c) and except in connection with the liquidation of the Trust and the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(iv) of the Declaration or Section 4 of Annex I.

(b)           The Trust may, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any state; provided that:

(i)           if the Trust is not the surviving entity, such successor entity (the “Successor  Entity”) either:

 

(A)          expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or

(B)           substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Securities (the “Successor Securities”) so that the Successor Securities rank the same as the Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

(ii)           the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity that possesses substantially the same powers and duties as the Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;

(iii)          such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect;

(iv)          the Institutional Trustee receives written confirmation from Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization that rates securities issued by the initial purchaser of the Capital Securities that it will not reduce or withdraw the rating of any such securities because of such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement;

(v)           such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the Trust;

(vi)          prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:

(A)          such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect;

(B)           following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an Investment Company; and

(C)           following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes;

(vii)         the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee;

17




(viii)        the Sponsor owns 100% of the common securities of any Successor Entity; and

(ix)           prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Institutional Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate of the Administrators and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent under this Section 2.14(b) to such transaction have been satisfied.

(c)           Notwithstanding Section 2.14(b), the Trust shall not, except with the consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE III

SPONSOR

Section 3.1.           Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the Trust in an amount at least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Capital Securities are sold.

Section 3.2.           Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in, or direct the Administrators to engage in, the following activities:

(a)           to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States; and

(b)           to negotiate the terms of and/or execute on behalf of the Trust, the Placement Agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the Capital Securities.

Section 3.3.           Expenses. In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Debentures to the Trust and in connection with the sale of the Securities by the Trust, the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, shall:

(a)           pay all reasonable costs and expenses owing to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Indenture;

(b)           be responsible for and shall pay all debts and obligations (other than with respect to the Securities) and all costs and expenses of the Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities (including fees to the placement agents in connection therewith), the costs and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators, the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust, including, without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and computing or accounting equipment, Paying Agents, Registrars, Transfer Agents, duplicating, travel and tele phone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition of Trust assets and the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee of the rights of the Holders (for purposes of clarification, this Section 3.3(b) does not contemplate the

18




payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the services to be provided by the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Institutional Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Declaration); and

(c)           pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.

The Sponsor’s obligations under this Section 3.3 shall be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, any Person to whom such debts, obligations, costs, expenses and taxes are owed (a “Creditor”) whether or not such Creditor has received notice hereof. Any such Creditor may enforce the Sponsor’s obligations under this Section 3.3 directly against the Sponsor and the Sponsor irrevocably waives any right or remedy to require that any such Creditor take any action against the Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the Sponsor. The Sponsor agrees to execute such additional agreements as may be necessary or desirable in order to give full effect to the provisions of this Section 3.3.

Section 3.4.           Right to Proceed. The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of Holders to institute a Direct Action as set forth in Section 2.8(d) hereto.

ARTICLE IV

INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS

Section 4.1. Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           There shall at all times be one Institutional Trustee which shall:

(i)            not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;

(ii)           not offer or provide credit or credit enhancement to the Trust; and

(iii)          be a banking corporation or trust company organized and doing bus iness under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00) , and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(iii) , the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b)           If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 4.3(a).

(c)           If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Institutional Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Declaration.

(d)           The initial Institutional Trustee shall be U.S. Bank National Association.

19




Section 4.2.           Administrators . Each Administrator shall be a U.S. Person, 21 years of age or older and authorized to bind the Sponsor.  The initial Administrators shall be Michael J. Perdue, Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr.. There shall at all times be at least one Administrator. Except where a requirement for action by a specific number of Administrators is expressly set forth in this Declaration and except with respect to any action the taking of which is the subject of a meeting of the Administrators, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Administrators may be taken by, and any power of the Administrators may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Administrator.

Section 4.3.           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Institutional Trustee and Administrators .

(a)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Declaration, no resignation or removal of the Institutional Trustee and no appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the Successor Institutional Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.3.

Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Institutional Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders of the Securities and by appointing a Successor Institutional Trustee. Upon the resignation of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from at least three Persons meeting the eligibility requirements, its expenses and charges to serve as the successor Institutional Trustee on a form provided by the Administrators, and selecting the Person who agrees to the lowest expense and charges (the “Successor Institutional Trustee”). If the instrument of acceptance by the Successor Institutional Trustee required by this Section 4.3 shall not have been delivered to the Institutional Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation or delivery of the instrument of removal, the Institutional Trustee may petit ion, at the expense of the Trust, any Federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee.  The Institutional Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of such successor pursuant to this Section 4.3.

The Institutional Trustee may be removed by the act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, delivered to the Institutional Trustee (in its individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If the Institutional Trustee shall be so removed, the Holders of Capital Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding delivered to the Institutional Trustee, shall promptly appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee, and such Successor Institutional Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.3.  If no Successor Institutional Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by this Section 4.3, within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of removal, any Holder who has been a Holder of the Securities for at least 6months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any Federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of the Successor Institutional Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee.

The Institutional Trustee shall give notice of its resignation and removal and each appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 13.1(d) and shall give notice to the Sponsor. Each notice shall include the name of the Successor Institutional Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(b)           In case of the appointment hereunder of a Successor Institutional Trustee, the retiring Institutional Trustee and the Successor Institutional Trustee shall execute and deliver an amendment

20




hereto wherein the Successor Institutional Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, the Successor Institutional Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Institutional Trustee with respect to the Securities and the Trust and (ii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Declaration as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust by more than one Institutional Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such Institutional Trustees co-trustees and upon the execution and delivery of such amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Institutional Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each Successor Institutional Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Institutional Trustee; but, on request of the Trust or any Successor Institutional Trustee such retiring Institutional Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Successor Institutional Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money held by such retiring Institutional Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities and the Trust.

(c)           No Institutional Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee.

(d)           The Holders of the Capital Securities will have no right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Holder of the Common Securities.

Section 4.4.           Institutional Trustee Vacancies. If the Institutional Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Institutional Trustee shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy.  The vacancy shall be filled with a trustee appointed in accordance with Section 4.3.

Section 4.5.           Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of the Institutional Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, terminate or annul the Trust or terminate this Declaration.

Section 4.6.           Meetings of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators . Meetings of the Administrators shall be held from time to time upon the call of an Administrator.  Regular meetings of the Administrators may be held in person in the United States or by telephone, at a place (if applicable) and time fixed by resolution of the Administrators. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Institutional Trustee with the Administrators or meetings of the Administrators shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting.  Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Institutional Trustee with the Administrators or meetings of the Administrators or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting.  Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the grounds that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators, as the case may be, may be taken at a meeting by vote of the Institutional Trustee or a majority vote of the Administrators present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Institutional Trustee or the Administrators.  Meetings of the

21




Institutional Trustee and the Administrators together shall be held from time to time upon the call of the Institutional Trustee or an Administrator.

Section 4.7.           Delegation of Power.

(a)           Any Administrator may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 that is a U.S. Person his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.6; and

(b)           the Administrators shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Administrators or otherwise as the Administrators may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.

Section 4.8.           Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any Person into which the Institutional Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall be the successor of the Institutional Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

ARTICLE V

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1.           Distributions . Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder’s Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms.  If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of Interest or any principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a “Distribution”) of such amounts to Holders.

ARTICLE VI

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

Section 6.1.           General Provisions Regarding Securities.

(a)           The Administrators shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue one series of capital securities substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I and one series of common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I.  The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Capital Securities rank pari passu to, and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with, the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I.

22




(b)           The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by one or more Administrators. Such signature shall be the facsimile or manual signature of any Administrator. In case any Administrator of the Trust who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrator before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates had not ceased to be such Administrator, and any Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be an Administrator of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such an Administrator. A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the facsimile or manual signature of an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been authenticated under this Declaration. Upon written order of the Trust signed by one Administrator, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue.  The Institutional Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that is a U.S. Person acceptable to the Trust to authenticate the Capital Securities. A Common Security need not be so authenticated.

(c)           The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

(d)           Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and, except as provided in Section 9.1(b) with respect to the Common Securities, non-assessable.

(e)           Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration and the Guarantee.

Section 6.2.           Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trust shall maintain in Hartford, Connecticut, an office or agency where the Capital Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”), and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (the “Transfer Agent”). The Trust shall keep or cause to be kept at such office or agency a register for the purpose of registering Securities, transfers and exchanges of Securities, such register to be held by a registrar (the “Registrar”). The Administrators may appoint the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Transfer Agent and may appoint one or more additional Paying Agents or one or more co-Registrars, or one or more co-Transfer Agents in such other locations as it shall determine.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, the term “Registrar” includes any additional registrar or co-Registrar and the term “Transfer Agent” includes any additional transfer agent. The Administrators may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar at any time without prior notice to any Holder. The Administrators shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar not a party to this Declaration. The Administrators hereby initially appoint the Institutional Trustee to act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates in the United States may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.

Section 6.3.           Form and Dating. The Capital Securities and the Institutional Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Declaration. Certificates may be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrators, as conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or

23




endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Sponsor). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Institutional Trustee in writing.  Each Capital Security shall be dated on or before the date of its authentication.  The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part of the terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the Institutional Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. Capital Securities will be issued only in blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.

The Capital Securities are being offered and sold by the Trust pursuant to the Placement Agreement in definitive, registered form without coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend.

Section 6.4.           Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

If:

(a)           any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Registrar, or if the Registrar shall receive evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and

(b)           there shall be delivered to the Registrar, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless;

then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by a protected purchaser, an Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall execute (and in the case of a Capital Security Certificate, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate) and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination.  In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 6.4, the Registrar or the Administrators may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.

Section 6.5.           Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Administrators may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Administrators consider appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrators shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

Section 6.6.           Cancellation. The Administrators at any time may deliver Securities to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar shall forward to the Institutional Trustee any Securities surrendered to it for registration of transfer, redemption or payment. The Institutional Trustee shall promptly cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Securities as the Administrators direct. The Administrators may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation.

Section 6.7.           Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults.

(a)           The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.5, and the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their Securities

24




and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below. The Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth therein and in this Declaration. The Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights.

(b)           For so long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if upon an Indenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice in writing to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Debentures has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Debenture Trustee as provided in the Indenture, if the Institutional Trustee, subject to the provisions hereof, fails to annul any such declaration and waive such default, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, by written notice to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i)            the Debenture Issuer has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A)          all overdue installments of interest on all of the Debentures,

(B)           any accrued Additional Interest on all of the Debentures,

(C)           the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debentures that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest and Additional Interest thereon at the rate borne by the Debentures, and

(D)          all sums paid or advanced by the Debenture Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Debenture Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, their agents and counsel; and

(ii)           all Events of Default with respect to the Debentures, other than the non­payment of the principal of the Debentures that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.7 of the Indenture.

The Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default under the Indenture or any Indenture Event of Default, except a default or Indenture Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest on the Debentures (unless such default or Indenture Event of Default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default under the Indenture or an Indenture Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision that under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Upon receipt by the Institutional Trustee of written notice declaring such an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of any part of the Capital Securities, a record date shall be established for determining Holders of outstanding Capital Securities entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Institutional Trustee receives such notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to

25




join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day that is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new writ ten notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is identical to a written notice that has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.7.

(c)           Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.7, the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

ARTICLE VII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

Section 7.1. Dissolution and Termination of Trust.

(a)           The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of:

(i)         unless earlier dissolved, on September 17, 2038, the expiration of the term of the Trust;

(ii)        upon a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(iii)          upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor (other than in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) or upon the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;

(iv)          upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities, upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities to dissolve the Trust as provided in Annex I hereto;

(v)           upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(vi)          when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities; or

(vii)         before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and the Sponsor.

26




(b)           As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 7.1(a), and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, including of the Statutory Trust Act, and subject to the terms set forth in Annex I, the Institutional Trustee shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut.

(c)           The provisions of Section 2.9 and Article IX shall survive the termination of the Trust.

ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

Section 8.1. General.

(a)           Subject to Section 8.1(c), where Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal number of Capital Securities represented by different certificates, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.  To permit registrations of transfer and exchanges, the Trust shall issue and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(b)           Upon issuance of the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities and for so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the Sponsor shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, under the Indenture that is a U.S. Person may succeed to the Sponsor’s ownership of the Common Securities.

(c)           Capital Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void and will be deemed to be of no legal effect whatsoever and any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder of such Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the receipt of Distributions on such Capital Securities, and such transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.

(d)           The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar shall cause one or more new Securities of the same tenor to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees.  Every Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6.  A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Security. By acceptance of a Security, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.

(e)           The Trust shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) to register the transfer or exchange of any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

27




Section 8.2. Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.

(a)           The Capital Securities shall bear the Restricted Securities Legend, which shall not be removed unless there is delivered to the Trust such satisfactory evidence, which may include an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Trustee, as may be reasonably required by the Trust, that neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of the Securities Act.  Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Institutional Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.

(b)           Except as permitted by Section 8.2(a), each Capital Security shall bear a legend (the “Restricted Securities Legend”) in substantially the following form and a Capital Security shall not be transferred except in compliance with such legend, unless otherwise determined by the Sponsor, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST.  HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

28




THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

(c)           To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trust shall execute and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(d)           Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to it.

(e)           All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Section 8.3.           Deemed Security Holders. The Trust, the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar may treat the Person in whose name any

29




Certificate shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust, the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall have actual or other notice thereof.

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS

Section 9.1. Liability.

(a)           Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Guarantee and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

(i)            personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; or

(ii)           required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of the Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

(b)           The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust’s assets.

(c)           Pursuant to the Statutory Trust Act, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Connecticut.

Section 9.2. Exculpation.

(a)           No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)           An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected by such Indemnified Person with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

30




Section 9.3. Fiduciary Duty.

(a)           To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Indemnified Person.

(b)           Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision:

(i)            in its “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

(ii)           in its “good faith” or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law.

Section 9.4. Indemnification.

(a)           The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(b)           The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust; provided, however, that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

31




(c)           To the extent that an Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

(d)           Any indemnification of an Administrator under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b).  Such determination shall be made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such Administrators who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

(e)           To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 shall be paid by the Sponsor in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 9.4.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrators, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrators, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such Indemnified Person did not believe to be in the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrators, independent legal counsel or the Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such Indemnified Person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.

(f)            The Institutional Trustee, at the sole cost and expense of the Sponsor, retains the right to representation by counsel of its own choosing in any action, suit or any other proceeding for which it is indemnified under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4, without affecting its right to indemnification hereunder or waiving any rights afforded to it under this Declaration or applicable law.

(g)           The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 9.4 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 9.4 shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 9.4 is in effect.  Any repeal or modification of this Section 9.4 shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

32




(h)           The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 9.4.

(i)            For purposes of this Section 9.4, references to “the Trust” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any Person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 9.4 with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.

(j)            The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 9.4 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, (i) continue as to a Person who has ceased to be an Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person; and (ii) survive the termination or expiration of this Declaration or the earlier removal or resignation of an Indemnified Person.

Section 9.5.           Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. None of any Covered Person, the Sponsor or the Institutional Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person and the Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

Section 9.6.           Compensation; Fee. The Sponsor agrees:

(a)           to pay to the Institutional Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Institutional Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Institutional Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of their respective agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

The provisions of this Section 9.6 shall survive the dissolution of the Trust and the termination of this Declaration and the removal or resignation of the Institutional Trustee.

No Institutional Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any property of the Trust as a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.6.

33




ARTICLE X

ACCOUNTING

Section 10.1.        Fiscal Year. The fiscal year (“Fiscal Year”) of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

Section 10.2.        Certain Accounting Matters .

(a)           At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrators shall keep, or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Trust in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each transaction of the Trust.  The books of account shall be maintained, at the Sponsor’s expense, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon (either separately or as part of the Sponsor’s regularly prepared consolidated financial report) as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.

(b)           The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities Form 1099 or such other annual United States federal income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrators shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.

(c)           The Administrators, at the Sponsor’s expense, shall cause to be duly prepared at the principal office of the Sponsor in the United States, as ‘United States’ is defined in Section 7701(a)(9) of the Code (or at the principal office of the Trust if the Sponsor has no such principal office in the United States), and filed an annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority.

Section 10.3.        Banking. The Trust shall maintain in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Account. The sole signatories for such accounts (including the Property Account) shall be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

Section 10.4.        Withholding. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent and the Administrators shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent shall request, and each Holder shall provide to the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to the Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations.  The Administrators shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions.  To the extent that the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed

34




overwithholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

Section 11.1.        Amendments.

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by the Institutional Trustee.

(b)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI, an amendment may be made, and any such purported amendment shall be valid and effective only if:

(i)            the Institutional Trustee shall have first received

(A) an Officers’ Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(ii)           the result of such amendment would not be to

(A) cause the Trust to cease to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; or

(B) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(c)           Except as provided in Section 11.1(d), (e) or (h), no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective, unless the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities shall have consented to such amendment.

(d)           In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or change any conversion or exchange provisions or (ii) restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.

(e)           Sections 9.1(b) and 9.1(c) and this Section 11.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.

(f)            Article III shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

35




(g)           The rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities under Article IV to appoint and remove the Institutional Trustee shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(h)           This Declaration may be amended by the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities to:

(i)            cure any ambiguity;

(ii)           correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;

(iii)          add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor; or

(iv)          modify, eliminate or add to any provision of this Declaration to such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes at all times as a grantor trust and will not be required to register as an Investment Company (including without limitation to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5, Rule 3a-7 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Company Act or written change in interpretation or application thereof by any legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority) which amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences or privileges of the Holders of Securities;

provided, however, that no such modification, elimination or addition referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) shall adversely affect in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of Holders of Capital Securities.

Section 11.2.        Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent.

(a)           Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at any time by the Administrators (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration or the terms of the Securities. The Administrators shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrators one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of the Securities wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of the Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders of the Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities represented by such Certificates shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.

(b)           Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of the Securities:

(i)            notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders of the Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of the Securities owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities

36




in liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting.  Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders of the Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Administrators may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Holders of the Securities for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Administrators;

(ii)           each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.  Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of the Securities executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Connecticut relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Connecticut corporation and the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Connecticut corporation; each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Administrators or by such other Person that the Administrators may designate; and

(iii)          unless the Statutory Trust Act, this Declaration, or the terms of the Securities otherwise provides, the Administrators, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders of the Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote; provided, however, that each meeting shall be conducted in the United States (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7).

ARTICLE XII

REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE

Section 12.1.        Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. The initial Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustee’s acceptance of its appointment as Institutional Trustee, that:

(a)           the Institutional Trustee is a national banking association with trust powers, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;

(b)           the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee.  This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

37




(c)           the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and

(d)           no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.1.        Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied (which telecopy shall be followed by notice delivered or mailed by first class mail) or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)           if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrators at the Trust’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II
c/o Community Bancorp Inc.
900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300
Escondido, California 92025
Attention:  L. Bruce Mills, Jr.
Telecopy:  760-740-6130

(b)           if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

U.S. Bank National Association
225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attention:  Vice President, Corporate Trust Services Division
Telecopy:  860-241-6889

With a copy to:

U.S. Bank National Association
1 Federal Street - 3rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention:  Paul D. Allen, Corporate Trust Services Division
Telecopy:  617-603-6665

(c)           if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):

Community Bancorp Inc.
900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300
Escondido, California 92025
Attention:  L. Bruce Mills, Jr.
Telecopy:  760-740-6130

38




(d)           if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Trust.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 13.2.        Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of the State of Connecticut and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of laws of the State of Connecticut or any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Connecticut; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Institutional Trustee or this Declaration any provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Connecticut pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner inconsistent with the terms hereof (a) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (b) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (c) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (d) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (e) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, or (f) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets.

Section 13.3.        Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties.

Section 13.4.        Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof.

Section 13.5.        Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

Section 13.6.        Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

Section 13.7.        Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Institutional Trustee and Administrators to any of such counterpart signature pages.  All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page.

Signatures appear on the following page

39




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

 

     Name:

Paul D. Allen

 

 

     Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC., as Sponsor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

     Name:

Michael J. Perdue

 

 

     Title:

President & Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY

 

TRUST II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

     Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Swanson

 

 

 

     Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ L. Bruce Mills, Jr.

 

 

 

     Administrator

 

40




ANNEX I

TERMS OF SECURITIES

Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of September 17, 2003 (as amended from time to time, the “Declaration”), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Declaration):

1.             Designation and Number.

(a)           5,000 Floating Rate Capital Securities of Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II (the “Trust”), with an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) and a stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as the “Capital Securities”. The Capital Security Certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

(b)           155 Floating Rate Common Securities of the Trust (the “Common Securities”) will be evidenced by Common Security Certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

2.             Distributions.

(a)           Distributions will be payable on each Security for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003 at a rate per annum of 4.09% and shall bear interest for each successive period beginning on (and including) December 17, 2003, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Period”) at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 2.95% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the stated liquidation amount thereof, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the applicable Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by law). Distributions, as used herein, include cash distributions and any such compounded distributions unless otherwise noted.  A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor.  The amount of the Distribution payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or ..09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

(b)           Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance, and will be payable, subject to extension of distribution payment periods as described herein, quarterly in arrears on March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day, commencing on December 17, 2003

I-1




(each a “Distribution Payment Date”) when, as and if available for payment. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by deferring the payment of interest on the Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date and provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer and its Affiliates shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Debenture Issuer’s or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Debenture Issuer) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing, or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Debenture Issuer or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Debenture Issuer) for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Securities shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust.  The Trust’s

I-2




funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

(c)           Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record dates. The relevant record dates shall be 15 days before the relevant Distribution Payment Date.  Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Payment Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, as the case may be, when due (taking into account any Extension Period), will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date.

(d)           In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

3.             Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust (each a “Liquidation”) other than in connection with a redemption of the Debentures, the Holders of the Securities will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of the Securities, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer), distributions equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the “Liquidation Distribution”), unless in connection with such Liquidation, the Debentures in an aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date as, such Securities, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust in accordance with the Statutory Trust Act, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities.

The Sponsor, as the Holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of a Special Event), subject to the receipt by the Debenture Issuer of prior approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of the Sponsor (the “Federal Reserve”), if the Sponsor is a bank holding company, or from the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of Sponsor, (the “OTS”) if the Sponsor is a savings and loan holding company, in either case if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, cause the Debentures to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with the aggregate stated liquidation amount thereof.

If a Liquidation of the Trust occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) in Section 7.1(a) of the Declaration, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Institutional Trustee as expeditiously as it determines

I-3




to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the Securities, the Debentures on a Pro Rata basis to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, unless such distribution is determined by the Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to the Holders, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, an amount equal to the Liquidation Distribution.  An early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 7.1(a) of the Declaration shall occur if the Institutional Trustee determines that such Liquidation is possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis, the Debentures, and such distribution occurs.

If, upon any such Liquidation the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on such Capital Securities shall be paid to the Holders of the Trust Securities on a Pro Rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.

After the date for any distribution of the Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust (i) the Securities of the Trust will be deemed to be no longer outstanding, (ii) upon surrender of a Holder’s Securities certificate, such Holder of the Securities will receive a certificate representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, (iii) any certificates representing the Securities still outstanding will be deemed to represent undivided beneficial interests in such of the Debentures as have an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount with an interest rate identical to the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissuance (and until such certificates are so surrendered, no payments of interest or principal shall be made to Holders of Securities in respect of any payments due and payable under the Debentures; provided, however that such failure to pay shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default and shall not entitle the Holder to the benefits of the Guarantee), and (iv) all rights of Holders of Securities under the Declaration shall cease, except the right of such Holders to receive Debentures upon surrender of certificates representing such Securities.

4.             Redemption and Distribution.

(a)           The Debentures will mature on September 17, 2033. The Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, at any Distribution Payment Date on or after September 17, 2008, at the Redemption Price. In addition, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer at the Special Redemption Price, in whole but not in part, at any Distribution Payment Date, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event at the Special Redemption Price, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to holders of such Debentures so long as such Special Event is continuing. In each case, the right of the Debenture Issuer to redeem the Debentures is subject to the Debenture Issuer having received prior approval from the Federal Reserve (if the Debenture Issuer is a bank holding company) or prior approval from the OTS (if the Debenture Issuer is a savings and loan holding company), in each case if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the applicable federal agency.

3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority:

(1)           the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below). “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace

I-4




Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;

(2)           if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

(3)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

(4)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.

If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

Capital Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Sponsor will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Sponsor (or if the Sponsor is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Sponsor as if the Sponsor were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Sponsor to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as Tier l Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Sponsor having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the Liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such Liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

I-5




Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.

Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will be considered an Investment Company that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

Maturity Date” means September 17, 2033.

Redemption Date” shall mean the date fixed for the redemption of Capital Securities, which shall be any March 17, June 17, September 17 or December 17 commencing September 17, 2008.

Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid Interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.

Special Event” means a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event.

Special Redemption Date” means a date on which a Special Event redemption occurs, which shall be any March 17, June 17, September 17 or December 17.

Special Redemption Price” means the price set forth in the following table for any Special Redemption Date that occurs on the date indicated below (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), expressed as the percentage of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed:

Special Redemption Date

 

Special Redemption Price

 

 

 

 

 

December 17, 2003

 

104.625

%

 

 

 

 

March 17, 2004

 

104.300

%

 

 

 

 

June 17, 2004

 

104.000

%

 

 

 

 

September 17, 2004

 

103.650

%

 

 

 

 

December 17, 2004

 

103.350

%

 

 

 

 

March 17, 2005

 

103.000

%

 

 

 

 

June 17, 2005

 

102.700

%

 

 

 

 

September 17, 2005

 

102.350

%

 

 

 

 

December 17, 2005

 

102.050

%

 

 

 

 

March 17, 2006

 

101.700

%

 

I-6




 

June 17, 2006

 

101.400

%

 

 

 

 

September 17, 2006

 

101.050

%

 

 

 

 

December 17, 2006

 

100.750

%

 

 

 

 

March 17, 2007

 

100.450

%

 

 

 

 

June 17, 2007

 

100.200

%

 

 

 

 

September 17, 2007 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid Interest on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.

Tax Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations) (an “Administrative Action”) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Debenture Issuer or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

(b)           Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in part of the Debentures (other than following the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem Pro Rata at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed; provided, however, that holders of such Securities shall be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice of such redemption (other than at the scheduled maturity of the Debentures).

(c)           If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Capital Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be redeemed will be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Capital Securities.

(d)           The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Capital Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Capital Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption.

I-7




(e)           Redemption or Distribution Procedures.

(i)            Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of the Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a “Redemption/Distribution Notice”) will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this paragraph 4(e)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of such Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of such Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.

(ii)           If the Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this paragraph 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then, provided that the Institutional Trustee has a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the Redemption Date.  If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited as required then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit Distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price specified in paragraph 4(a), but without interest on such Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.  If payment of the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Debenture Issuer as guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue at the Distribution Rate from the original Redemption Date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price. In the event of any redemption of the Capital Securities issued by the Trust in part, the Trust shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection for redemption of the Capital Securities and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Capital Securities to be so redeemed or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Capital Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Capital Securities being redeemed in part.

(iii)          Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Capital Securities, the Holders thereof and (B) in respect of the Common Securities, the Holder thereof.

(iv)          Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities laws), and provided that the acquiror is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its

I-8




subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

5.             Voting Rights - Capital Securities.

(a)           Except as provided under paragraphs 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights. The Administrators are required to call a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities if directed to do so by Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(b)           Subject to the requirements of obtaining a tax opinion by the Institutional Trustee in certain circumstances set forth in the last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture as the holder of the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent on behalf of all the Holders of the Capital Securities to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the holders of greater than a simple majority in aggregate principal amount of Debentures (a “Super Majority”) affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Debentures after the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of such Capital Securities have so directed the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a Holder of the Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Debentures without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date the interest or principal is payable (or in the case of redemption, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable), then a Holder of record of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment, on or after the respective due dates specified in the Debentures, to such Holder directly of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder. The Institutional Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any default actually known to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the Debentures unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Capital Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of principal of or interest on any of the Debentures. Such notice shall state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes an Event of Default hereunder. Except with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the Debentures, is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Institutional Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such

I-9




amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of a Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities outstanding which the relevant Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default hereunder. Any required approval or direction of Holders of the Capital Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth the following information (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

Notwithstanding that Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such Capital Securities were not outstanding.

In no event will Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the Common Securities of the Trust. Under certain circumstances as more fully described in the Declaration, Holders of Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional Trustee.

6.             Voting Rights - Common Securities.

(a)           Except as provided under paragraphs 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Common Securities will have no voting rights.

(b)           The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance with Article IV of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Administrators.

(c)           Subject to Section 6.7 of the Declaration and only after each Event of Default (if any) with respect to the Capital Securities has been cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waiving any past default and its consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercising

I-10




any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding this paragraph 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Holder of the Common Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Declaration, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other Person.

Any approval or direction of Holders of the Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Administrators will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of the Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

7.             Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.

(a)           In addition to any requirements under Section 11.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Institutional Trustee, Sponsor or Administrators otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the Liquidation of the Trust, other than as described in Section 7.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected thereby; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Capital Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.

(b)           In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the

I-11




Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to the Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the Trust to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as other than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee or (iii) cause the Trust to be deemed an Investment Company which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(d)           Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the right of any Holder of the Capital Securities to receive payment of distributions and other payments upon redemption or otherwise, on or after their respective due dates, or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder. For the protection and enforcement of the foregoing provision, each and every Holder of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or equity.

8.             Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution or treatment as being “Pro Rata” shall mean pro rata to each Holder of the Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities then outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of the Common Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.

9.             Ranking. The Capital Securities rank pari passu with and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive payment of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities with the result that no payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all outstanding Capital Securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) the full amount of such Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) on all outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Institutional Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.

10.           Acceptance of Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, by the acceptance of such Securities, agrees to the provisions of the Guarantee, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.

11.           No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.

I-12




12.           Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

I-13




EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE

A-1-1




MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DECLARATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Certificate Number P-1

 

5,000 Capital Securities

 

September 17, 2003

Certificate Evidencing Floating Rate Capital Securities

of

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II

(liquidation amount $1,000.00 per Capital Security)

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that Hare & Co. (the “Holder”), as the nominee of The Bank of New York, indenture trustee under the Indenture dated as of September 17, 2003 among Preferred Term Securities XI, Ltd., Preferred Term Securities XI, Inc. and The Bank of New York, is the registered owner of capital securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (liquidation amount $1,000.00 per capital security) (the “Capital Securities”). Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The Capital Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of September 17, 2003, among Michael J. Perdue, Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, U.S. Bank National Association, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”).  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

A-1-2




Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

Signatures appear on following page

A-1-3




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:  Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as the Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

A-1-4




[FORM OF REVERSE OF CAPITAL SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at an annual rate equal to 4.09% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) December 17, 2003, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 2.95% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions and any such compounded distributions unless otherwise noted.  A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.  The amount of the Distribution payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or

A-1-5




.0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), commencing on December 17, 2003.  The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest.  During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Capital Securities shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-1-6




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital Security Certificate to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

Date:

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security Certificate)

 

Signature Guarantee:(1)

 

 


(1) Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-1-7




EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.

THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 8.1 OF THE DECLARATION.

Certificate Number C-1

 

155 Common Securities

 

September 17, 2003

Certificate Evidencing Floating Rate Common Securities

of

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that Community Bancorp Inc. (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the “Common Securities”). The Common Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of September 17, 2003, among Michael J. Perdue, Thomas E. Swanson and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, U.S. Bank National Association, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

As set forth in the Declaration, when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption or otherwise are subordinated to the rights of payment of Holders of the Capital Securities.

Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Common Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

A-2-1




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

 

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY

 

TRUST II

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title: Administrator

A-2-2




[FORM OF REVERSE OF COMMON SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Common Security will be payable at an annual rate equal to 4.09% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) December 17, 2003 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) December 17, 2003, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 2.95% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions and any such compounded distributions unless otherwise noted. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period. The amount of the Distribution payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Dow Jones Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Common Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or

A-2-3




.0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year (or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), commencing on December 17, 2003. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date.  At the end of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Common Securities shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer.

The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-2-4




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security Certificate to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

agent

 

to transfer this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security Certificate)

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security Certificate)

 

Signature Guarantee(2)

 


(2) Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union, meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-2-5




EXHIBIT B

SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE

(See Document No. 16)

B-1




EXHIBIT C


PLACEMENT AGREEMENT

 

(See Document No. 1)

C-1



EX-10.23 11 a07-4181_1ex10d23.htm EX-10.23

Exhibit 10.23

 

 

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

by and between

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Dated as of September 17, 2003

 




GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “Guarantee”), dated as of September 17, 2003, is executed and delivered by Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, organized under the laws of the United States of America, as trustee (the “Guarantee Trustee”), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust II, a Connecticut statutory trust (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”), dated as of the date hereof among U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as institutional trustee, the administrators of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof those undivided beneficial interests, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $5,000,000.00 (the “Capital Securities”); and

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of Capital Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of the Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1.           Definitions and Interpretation. In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)           capitalized terms used in this Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)           a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee has the same meaning throughout;

(c)           all references to “the Guarantee” or “this Guarantee” are to this Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d)           all references in this Guarantee to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles or Sections of this Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

(e)           terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of this Guarantee have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and

(f)            a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.




Beneficiaries” means any Person to whom the Issuer is or hereafter becomes indebted or liable.

Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Guarantee.

Common Securities” means the common securities issued by the Issuer to the Guarantor pursuant to the Declaration.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Guarantee is located at 225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.

Covered Person” means any Holder of Capital Securities.

Debentures” means the debt securities of the Guarantor designated the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2033 held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.

Declaration Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Declaration.

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Guarantee Payments” means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) which are required to be paid on such Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, (iii) the Special Redemption Price to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to Capital Securities redeemed upon the occurrence of a Special Event, and (iv) upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the “Liquidation Distribution”).

Guarantee Trustee” means U.S. Bank National Association, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

Guarantor” means Community Bancorp Inc. and each of its successors and assigns.

Holder” means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, “Holder” shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

Indemnified Person” means the Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Guarantee Trustee.

2




Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the Guarantor and U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the institutional trustee of the Issuer.

Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph to this Guarantee.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Guarantee Payments” herein.

Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Capital Securities, voting together as a class, but separately from the holders of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Capital Securities then outstanding.

Obligations” means any costs, expenses or liabilities (but not including liabilities related to taxes) of the Issuer other than obligations of the Issuer to pay to holders of any Trust Securities the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Trust Securities.

Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer’s Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a)           a statement that the officer signing the Officer’s Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)           a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by the officer in rendering the Officer’s Certificate;

(c)           a statement that the officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of the officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Special Event” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

3




Special Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 3.1.

Trust Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

ARTICLE II

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

Section 2.1.           Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           This Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Capital Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 4.4(b) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee.  The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b)           If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(c)           The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after curing all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been waived pursuant to Section 2.4) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(d)           No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)            prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A)          the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee; and

(B)           in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished

4




to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee;

(ii)           the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that such Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee or the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii)          the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or relating to the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; and

(iv)          no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee or security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 2.2.           Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1:

(i)            The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

(ii)           Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate.

(iii)          Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Guarantor which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv)          The Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any re-recording, refiling or re-registration thereof).

(v)           The Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and

5




in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction.

(vi)          The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses and the expenses of the Guarantee Trustee’s agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 2.2(a)(vi) shall relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee.

(vii)         The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(viii)        The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(ix)           Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(x)            Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions.

(xi)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee.

(b)           No provision of this Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

6




Section 2.3.           Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee. The recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee.

Section 2.4.           Events of Default; Waiver.

(a)           An Event of Default under this Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Guarantor to perform any of its payment or other obligations hereunder.

(b)           The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, voting or consenting as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 2.5.           Events of Default; Notice.

(a)           The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Guarantor, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, however, that the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(b)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice from the Guarantor or a Holder of the Capital Securities (except in the case of a payment default), or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of this Guarantee shall have obtained actual knowledge thereof.

ARTICLE III

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

Section 3.1.           Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i)            not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor, and

(ii)           be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 3.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

7




(b)           If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 3.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 3.2(c).

(c)           If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Guarantee.

Section 3.2.           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           Subject to Section 3.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of Default.

(b)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 3.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c)           The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation.  The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by an instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d)           If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 3.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(e)           No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(f)            Upon termination of this Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee all amounts owing to the Guarantee Trustee under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

8




ARTICLE IV

GUARANTEE

Section 4.1.           Guarantee.

(a)           The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense (except the defense of payment by the Issuer), right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor’s obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

(b)           The Guarantor hereby also agrees to assume any and all Obligations of the Issuer and in the event any such Obligation is not so assumed, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Beneficiary the full payment, when and as due, of any and all Obligations to such Beneficiaries. This Guarantee is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.

Section 4.2.           Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

Section 4.3.           Obligations Not Affected. The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

(a)           the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b)           the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of or in connection with, the Capital Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted by the Indenture);

(c)           any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(d)           the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

9




(e)           any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital Securities;

(f)            the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or

(g)           any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

Section 4.4.           Rights of Holders.

(a)           The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; provided, however, that (subject to Section 2.1) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Guarantee Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committees or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.

(b)           Any Holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee Trustee’s rights under this Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person.  The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any such action be brought first against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person before so proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

Section 4.5.           Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

Section 4.6.           Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, after giving effect to any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

Section 4.7.           Independent Obligations. The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 4.3 hereof.

Section 4.8.           Enforcement by a Beneficiary. A Beneficiary may enforce the obligations of the Guarantor contained in Section 4.1(b) directly against the Guarantor and the Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the Issuer or any other person or entity

10




before proceeding against the Guarantor. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of any Beneficiary against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Beneficiaries by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if at the time of any such payment, and after giving effect to such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE V

LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

Section 5.1.           Limitation of Transactions. So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (a) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or a Declaration Event of Default or (b) the Guarantor shall have selected an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration and such period, or any extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing, then the Guarantor shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Guarantor) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (i) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Guarantor in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Guarantor (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default, Declaration Event of Default or Extension Period, as applicable, (ii) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Guarantor) for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Guarantor’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (v) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (vi) payments under this Guarantee).

Section 5.2.           Ranking. This Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the Guarantor.  By their acceptance thereof, each Holder of Capital Securities agrees to the foregoing provisions of this Guarantee and the other terms set forth herein.

The right of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary.  Accordingly, the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee will be effectively

11




subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the Guarantor for payments hereunder.  This Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Guarantor, including Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, under any indenture that the Guarantor may enter into in the future or otherwise.

ARTICLE VI

TERMINATION

Section 6.1.           Termination. This Guarantee shall terminate as to the Capital Securities (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price of all Capital Securities then outstanding, (ii) upon the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon dissolution of the Issuer. This Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1.           Exculpation.

(a)           No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)           An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Issuer or the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Issuer or the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected with reasonable care by such Indemnified Person, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Capital Securities might properly be paid.

Section 7.2.           Indemnification.

(a)           The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Person, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of the Indemnified Person defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Indemnified Person’s powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

12




(b)           Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person under this Section 7.2 of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Guarantor under this Section 7.2, notify the Guarantor in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Guarantor (i) will not relieve the Guarantor from liability under paragraph (a) above unless and to the extent that the Guarantor did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Guarantor of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the Guarantor from any obligations to any Indemnified Person other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) above.  The Guarantor shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the Guarantor’s choice at the Guarantor’s expense to represent the Indemnified Person in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the Guarantor shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Persons except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the Guarantor’s election to appoint counsel to represent the Guarantor in an action, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Guarantor shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Guarantor to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the Indemnified Person and the Guarantor and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Person(s) which are different from or additional to those available to the Guarantor, (iii) the Guarantor shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the Guarantor shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor will not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

Section 7.3.           Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses. The Guarantor agrees:

(a)           to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree to from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in accordance with any provision of this Guarantee (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

For purposes of clarification, this Section 7.3 does not contemplate the payment by the Guarantor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Guarantee Trustee for services to be provided by the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee or the fees and expenses of the Guarantee Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Guarantee. The provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

13




ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1.           Successors and Assigns . All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding.  Except in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Guarantor with or into another entity or any sale, transfer or lease of the Guarantor’s assets to another entity, in each case, to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Guarantee without the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

Section 8.2.           Amendments. Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities. The provisions of the Declaration with respect to amendments thereof apply to the giving of such approval.

Section 8.3.           Notices. All notices provided for in this Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)           If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Guarantor):

U.S. Bank National Association
225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division
Telecopy: 860-241-6889

With a copy to:

U.S. Bank National Association
1 Federal Street - 3rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Paul D. Allen, Corporate Trust Services Division
Telecopy: 617-603-6665

(b)           If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and to the Guarantee Trustee):

Community Bancorp Inc.
900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300
Escondido, California 92025
Attention:  L. Bruce Mills, Jr.
Telecopy: 760-740-6130

14




(c)           If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 8.4.           Benefit. This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Beneficiaries and, subject to Section 2.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Capital Securities.

Section 8.5.           Governing Law. THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

Section 8.6.           Counterparts. This Guarantee may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 8.7            Separability. In case one or more of the provisions contained in this Guarantee shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Guarantee, but this Guarantee shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Signatures appear on the following page

15




THIS GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC., as Guarantor

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

Name:

Michael J. Perdue

 

 

Title:

President & Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as

 

Guarantee Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Allen

 

 

 

Name:

Paul D. Allen

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

16



EX-10.24 12 a07-4181_1ex10d24.htm EX-10.24

Exhibit 10.24

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST

by and among

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Delaware Trustee,

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Institutional Trustee,

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.,

as Sponsor,

and

MICHAEL J. PERDUE and L. BRUCE MILLS, JR.,
as Administrators,

Dated as of August 15, 2005

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

 

1

 

Section 1.1.

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

 

8

 

Section 2.1.

Name

 

8

 

Section 2.2.

Office

 

8

 

Section 2.3.

Purpose

 

8

 

Section 2.4.

Authority

 

9

 

Section 2.5.

Title to Property of the Trust

 

9

 

Section 2.6.

Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the Administrators

 

9

 

Section 2.7.

Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional Trustee

 

12

 

Section 2.8.

Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee

 

13

 

Section 2.9.

Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustees and Administrators

 

14

 

Section 2.10.

Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee

 

16

 

Section 2.11.

Delaware Trustee

 

17

 

Section 2.12.

Execution of Documents

 

18

 

Section 2.13.

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

 

18

 

Section 2.14.

Duration of Trust

 

18

 

Section 2.15.

Mergers

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III SPONSOR

 

19

 

Section 3.1.

Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities

 

19

 

Section 3.2.

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

 

19

 

Section 3.3.

Expenses

 

20

 

Section 3.4.

Right to Proceed

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

20

 

Section 4.1.

Number of Trustees

 

20

 

Section 4.2.

Delaware Trustee; Eligibility

 

21

 

Section 4.3.

Institutional Trustee; Eligibility

 

21

 

Section 4.4.

Administrators

 

21

 

Section 4.5.

Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and Administrators

 

22

 

Section 4.6.

Vacancies Among Trustees

 

23

 

Section 4.7.

Effect of Vacancies

 

23

 

Section 4.8.

Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators

 

23

 

Section 4.9.

Delegation of Power

 

24

 

Section 4.10.

Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS

 

24

 

Section 5.1.

Distributions

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

 

25

 

Section 6.1.

General Provisions Regarding Securities

 

25

 

Section 6.2.

Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

25

 

Section 6.3.

Form and Dating

 

26

 

Section 6.4.

Book-Entry Capital Securities

 

26

 

Section 6.5.

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

 

28

 

i




 

Section 6.6.

Temporary Securities

 

28

 

Section 6.7.

Cancellation

 

28

 

Section 6.8.

CUSIP Numbers

 

29

 

Section 6.9.

Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

 

30

 

Section 7.1.

Dissolution and Termination of Trust

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

 

31

 

Section 8.1.

General

 

31

 

Section 8.2.

Transfer Procedures and Restrictions

 

32

 

Section 8.3.

Deemed Security Holders

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS

 

35

 

Section 9.1.

Liability

 

35

 

Section 9.2.

Exculpation

 

35

 

Section 9.3.

Fiduciary Duty

 

35

 

Section 9.4.

Indemnification

 

36

 

Section 9.5.

Outside Businesses

 

38

 

Section 9.6.

Compensation; Fee

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X ACCOUNTING

 

39

 

Section 10.1.

Fiscal Year

 

39

 

Section 10.2.

Certain Accounting Matters

 

39

 

Section 10.3.

Banking

 

39

 

Section 10.4.

Withholding

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

 

40

 

Section 11.1.

Amendments

 

40

 

Section 11.2.

Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE

 

42

 

Section 12.1.

Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee

 

42

 

Section 12.2.

Representations of the Delaware Trustee

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS

 

43

 

Section 13.1.

Notices

 

43

 

Section 13.2.

Governing Law

 

44

 

Section 13.3.

Intention of the Parties

 

45

 

Section 13.4.

Headings

 

45

 

Section 13.5.

Successors and Assigns

 

45

 

Section 13.6.

Partial Enforceability

 

45

 

Section 13.7.

Counterparts

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex I

Terms of Securities

 

 

Exhibit A-1

Form of Capital Security Certificate

 

 

Exhibit A-2

Form of Common Security Certificate

 

 

Exhibit B

Specimen of Initial Debenture

 

 

Exhibit C

Placement Agreement

 

 

 

ii




AMENDED AND RESTATED

DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III

August 15, 2005

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST (“Declaration”) dated and effective as of August 15, 2005, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Administrators (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (as defined herein) to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;

WHEREAS, the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor established Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III (the “Trust”), a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act (as defined herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of August 11, 2005 (the “Original Declaration”), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 11, 2005, for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain debentures of the Debenture Issuer (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; and

WHEREAS, the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration;

NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue the Trust as a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act and that this Declaration constitutes the governing instrument of such statutory trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.  The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.           Definitions.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)           Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)           a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout;

(c)           all references to “the Declaration” or “this Declaration” are to this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

1




(d)           all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified; and

(e)           a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Acceleration Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Administrative Action” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Administrators” means each of Michael J. Perdue and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., solely in such Person’s capacity as Administrator of the Trust created and continued hereunder and not in such Person’s individual capacity, or such Administrator’s successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor appointed as herein provided.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

Applicable Depositary Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Book-Entry Capital Security, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Book-Entry Capital Security, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

Authorized Officer” of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person:

(a)           a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(b)           such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of such Person of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due.

Book-Entry Capital Securities” means a Capital Security, the ownership and transfer of which shall be made through book entries by a Depositary.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Wilmington, Delaware are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.

Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1(a) of Annex I.

Capital Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Capital Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

2




Capital Treatment Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Certificate” means any certificate evidencing Securities.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Placement Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Common Securities” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1(b) of Annex I.

Common Security Certificate” means a definitive Certificate in fully registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

Company Indemnified Person” means (a) any Administrator; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrator; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrator; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

Comparable Treasury Issue” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Comparable Treasury Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Institutional Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Declaration is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware  19890-1600, Attn: Corporate Trust Administration.

Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(a) of Annex I.

Covered Person” means: (a) any Administrator, officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) any of the Trust’s Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

Creditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Debenture Issuer” means Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.

Debenture Trustee” means Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.

Debentures” means the Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2035 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Definitive Capital Securities Certificates” means Capital Securities issued in certificated, fully registered form that are not Global Capital Securities.

Delaware Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

3




Depositary” means an organization registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act that is designated as Depositary by the Administrators or any successor thereto.  DTC will be the initial Depositary.

Depositary Participant” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Depositary effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depositary.

Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Direct Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(d).

Distribution” means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 5.1.

Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Distribution Period” means (i) with respect to the Distribution paid on the first Distribution Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2005 and (ii) thereafter, with respect to a Distribution paid on each successive Distribution Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the preceding Distribution Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) such current Distribution Payment Date.

Distribution Rate” means, for the Distribution Period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, the rate per annum of 5.85%, and for each Distribution Period beginning on or after the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, the Coupon Rate for such Distribution Period.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.

Event of Default” means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a)           the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default; or

(b)           default by the Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price of any Security when it becomes due and payable; or

(c)           default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Institutional Trustee in this Declaration (other than those specified in clause (a) or (b) above) and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail to the Institutional Trustee and to the Sponsor by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding Capital Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d)           the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Institutional Trustee if a successor Institutional Trustee has not been appointed within 90 days thereof.

4




Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Extension Period” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.

Federal Reserve” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Fiduciary Indemnified Person” shall mean each of the Institutional Trustee (including in its individual capacity), the Delaware Trustee (including in its individual capacity), any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee and any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee.

Fiscal Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Global Capital Security” means a Capital Securities Certificate evidencing ownership of Book-Entry Capital Securities.

Guarantee” means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date, of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital Securities.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Statutory Trust Act.

Indemnified Person” means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary Indemnified Person.

Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of the Closing Date, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued, as such Indenture and any supplemental indenture may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Indenture Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Indenture.

Institutional Trustee” means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 4.3.

Interest” means any interest due on the Debentures including any Additional Interest and Defaulted Interest.

Investment Company” means an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Investment Company Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Liquidation” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

5




Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Officers’ Certificates” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person.  Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant providing for it in this Declaration shall include:

(a)           a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)           a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

(c)           a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

OTS” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.

Owner” means each Person who is the beneficial owner of Book-Entry Capital Securities as reflected in the records of the Depositary or, if a Depositary Participant is not the beneficial owner, then the beneficial owner as reflected in the records of the Depositary Participant.

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 6.2.

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

Placement Agreement” means the Placement Agreement relating to the offering and sale of Capital Securities in the form of Exhibit C.

Primary Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Property Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(c).

Pro Rata” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8 of Annex I.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Quorum” means a majority of the Administrators or, if there are only two Administrators, both of them.

Quotation Agent” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

6




Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Redemption/Distribution Notice” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(e) of Annex I.

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Reference Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Registrar” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Relevant Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a).

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Securities Legend” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).

Rule 3a-5” means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.

Rule 3a-7” means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.

Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

Special Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Special Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Special Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Sponsor” means Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.

Statutory Trust Act” means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. §§ 3801, et seq. as may be amended from time to time.

Successor Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

Successor Delaware Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(e).

Successor Institutional Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b).

Successor Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).

Super Majority” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 5(b) of Annex I.

7




Tax Event” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

10% in liquidation amount of the Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Transfer Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Treasury Rate” has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.

Treasury Regulations” means the income tax regulations, including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Trust Property” means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Property Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Declaration.

Trustee” or “Trustees” means each Person who has signed this Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.

U.S. Person” means a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1.           Name. The Trust is named “Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III,” as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators following written notice to the Holders of the Securities. The Trust’s activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrators.

Section 2.2.           Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware  19890-1600.  On at least 10 Business Days written notice to the Holders of the Securities, the Administrators may designate another principal office, which shall be in a state of the United States or in the District of Columbia.

Section 2.3.           Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell the Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (b) to invest the gross proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, (c) to facilitate direct investment in the assets of the Trust through issuance of the Common Securities and the Capital Securities and (d) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto.  The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its

8




assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.

Section 2.4.           Authority. Except as specifically provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust.  An action taken by a Trustee in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust.  In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust.  Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration.  The Administrators shall have only those ministerial duties set forth herein with respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Trust and are not intended to be trustees or fiduciaries with respect to the Trust or the Holders.  The Institutional Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be obligated except as provided in Section 2.6, to perform those duties assigned to the Administrators.

Section 2.5.           Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 2.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust.  The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust.

Section 2.6.           Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the Administrators.

(a)           The Trustees and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with the terms of this Declaration.  Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with the following provisions (i) and (ii), the Trustees and the Administrators shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the Institutional Trustee to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, under this Declaration, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without limitation, the following:

(i)            Each Administrator shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A)          the issuance and sale of the Securities;

(B)           to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute and deliver on behalf of the Trust, such agreements as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and function of the Trust, including agreements with the Paying Agent;

(C)           ensuring compliance with the Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws;

(D)          the sending of notices (other than notices of default), and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(E)           the consent to the appointment of a Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with this Declaration, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

(F)           execution and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Declaration;

9




(G)           execution and delivery of closing certificates pursuant to the Placement Agreement and the application for a taxpayer identification number;

(H)          unless otherwise determined by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities or as otherwise required by the Statutory Trust Act, to execute on behalf of the Trust (either acting alone or together with any or all of the Administrators) any documents that the Administrators have the power to execute pursuant to this Declaration;

(I)            the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder);

(J)            to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; and

(K)          to duly prepare and file all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust on behalf of the Trust.

(ii)           As among the Trustees and the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee shall have the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

(A)          the establishment of the Property Account;

(B)           the receipt of the Debentures;

(C)           the collection of interest, principal and any other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Property Account;

(D)          the distribution through the Paying Agent of amounts owed to the Holders in respect of the Securities;

(E)           the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of the Debentures;

(F)           the sending of notices of default and other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in accordance with this Declaration;

(G)           the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the terms of this Declaration;

(H)          to the extent provided in this Declaration, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

(I)            after any Event of Default (provided that such Event of Default is not by or with respect to the Institutional Trustee) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration and protect and conserve the

10




Trust Property for the benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Holder); and

(J)            to take all action that may be necessary for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust’s valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware.

(iii)          The Institutional Trustee shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to any of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrators set forth in Section 2.6(a)(i)(D), (E) and (F) herein but shall not have a duty to do any such act unless specifically requested to do so in writing by the Sponsor, and shall then be fully protected in acting pursuant to such written request; and in the event of a conflict between the action of the Administrators and the action of the Institutional Trustee, the action of the Institutional Trustee shall prevail.

(b)           So long as this Declaration remains in effect, the Trust (or the Trustees or Administrators acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Trustees nor the Administrators may cause the Trust to (i) acquire any investments or engage in any activities not authorized by this Declaration, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly provided herein, (iii) take any action that would reasonably be expected (x) to cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes or (y) to require the trust to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other debt or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement of a lien on any of the Trust Property. The Institutional Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Trust, defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any lien on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Holders in their capacity as Holders.

(c)           In connection with the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions taken by the Sponsor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this Declaration are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):

(i)            the taking of any action necessary to obtain an exemption from the Securities Act;

(ii)           the determination of the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and the determination of any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and the advice to the Administrators of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and the preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States in connection with the sale of the Capital Securities;

(iii)          the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery of, the Placement Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital Securities; and

(iv)          the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry out any of the foregoing activities.

11




(d)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the Trust so that the Trust will not (i) be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, and (ii) fail to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes.  The Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities shall not take any action inconsistent with the treatment of the Debentures as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable laws, the Certificate of Trust or this Declaration, as amended from time to time, that each of the Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities determines in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes.

(e)           All expenses incurred by the Administrators or the Trustees pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor, and the Trustees and the Administrators shall have no obligations with respect to such expenses (for purposes of clarification, this Section 2.6(e) does not contemplate the payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustees under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Trustees’ counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Declaration).

(f)            The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.

(g)           Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators for the benefit of the Trust in accordance with this Declaration.

(h)           If the Institutional Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Declaration and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Institutional Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Sponsor, the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 2.7.           Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional Trustee.

(a)           The Trust shall not, and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration.  In particular, the Trust shall not and the Institutional Trustee shall cause the Trust not to:

(i)            invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;

(ii)           acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;

(iii)          possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose;

(iv)          make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans represented by the Debentures;

12




(v)           possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever other than as expressly provided herein;

(vi)          issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities;

(vii)         carry on any “trade or business” as that phrase is used in the Code; or

(viii)        other than as provided in this Declaration (including Annex I), (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion of counsel to the effect that such modification will not cause the Trust to cease to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes.

Section 2.8.           Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee.

(a)           The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust and the Holders of the Securities.  The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 4.5.  Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

(b)           The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest in the Debentures to the Administrators or to the Delaware Trustee.

(c)           The Institutional Trustee shall:

(i)            establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the “Property Account”) in the name of and under the exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee, and maintained in the Institutional Trustee’s trust department, on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Account and make payments, or cause the Paying Agent to make payments, to the Holders of the Capital Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property Account in accordance with Section 5.1.  Funds in the Property Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration;

(ii)           engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and

(iii)          upon written notice of distribution issued by the Administrators in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee may bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action with respect to, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against, the Trust which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional

13




Trustee has actual knowledge or arises out of the Institutional Trustee’s duties and obligations under this Declaration; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder (a “Direct Action”) on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures.  In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of the Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct Action; provided, however, that no Holder of the Common Securities may exercise such right of subrogation so long as an Event of Default with respect to the Capital Securities has occurred and is continuing.

(e)           The Institutional Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee until either:

(i)            the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of the Securities and this Declaration; or

(ii)           a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 4.5.

(f)            The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a Holder of the Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Institutional Trustee may, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration (including Annex I) and the terms of the Securities.

The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 2.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 2.3.

Section 2.9.           Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustees and Administrators.

(a)           The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee.  In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.9), the Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b)           The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees and the Administrators shall be as provided by this Declaration.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Declaration shall require any Trustee or Administrator to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate protection against such risk of liability is not reasonably assured to it.  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustees or Administrators shall be subject to the provisions of this Article.  Nothing in

14




this Declaration shall be construed to relieve an Administrator or a Trustee from liability for its own negligent act, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct.  To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Trustee or an Administrator has duties and liabilities relating to the Trust or to the Holders, such Trustee or such Administrator shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Holder for such Trustee’s or such Administrator’s good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration.  The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Trustee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sponsor and the Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrators or the Trustees.

(c)           All payments made by the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect of the Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof.  Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees and the Administrators are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Security or for any other liability in respect of any Security.  This Section 2.9(c) does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in this Declaration.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for its own acts or omissions hereunder except as a result of its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)            the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(ii)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities, as applicable, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iii)          the Institutional Trustee’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for its fiduciary accounts generally, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;

(iv)          the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor; and money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 2.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and

(v)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrators or the Sponsor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrators or the Sponsor.

15




Section 2.10.        Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.9:

(a)           the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall fully be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, opinion of counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)           if (i) in performing its duties under this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, (ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained herein, or (iii) the Institutional Trustee is unsure of the application of any provision of this Declaration, then, except as to any matter as to which the Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote under the terms of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee may deliver a notice to the Sponsor requesting the Sponsor’s written instructions as to the course of action to be taken and the Institutional Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as the Institutional Trustee shall be instructed in writing, in which event the Institutional Trustee shall have no liability except for its own negligence or willful misconduct;

(c)           any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrators contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

(d)           whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may request and conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate as to factual matters which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrators;

(e)           the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;

(f)            the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection (which counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance with such advice; the Institutional Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;

(g)           the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Institutional Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; provided, that nothing contained in this Section 2.10(g) shall be taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, subject to Section 2.9(b), upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.7), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;

16




(h)           the Institutional Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Holders, but the Institutional Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

(i)            the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or attorneys and the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(j)            whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Capital Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Capital Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such instructions;

(k)           except as otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration;

(l)            when the Institutional Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or law relating to creditors rights generally;

(m)          the Institutional Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Institutional Trustee receives written notice of such event from any Holder, the Sponsor or the Debenture Trustee;

(n)           any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action; and

(o)           no provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Institutional Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation.  No permissive power or authority available to the Institutional Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

Section 2.11.        Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 4.1, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of any of the Trustees or the Administrators described in this Declaration (except as may be required under the Statutory Trust Act).  Except as set

17




forth in Section 4.1, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of § 3807 of the Statutory Trust Act.

Section 2.12.        Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined in writing by the Institutional Trustee, and except as otherwise required by the Statutory Trust Act, the Institutional Trustee, or any one or more of the Administrators, as the case may be, is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.

Section 2.13.        Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof.  The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration, the Debentures or the Securities.

Section 2.14.        Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless earlier dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VII hereof, shall be in existence for 35 years from the Closing Date.

Section 2.15.        Mergers.

(a)           The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as described in Section 2.15(b) and (c) and except in connection with the liquidation of the Trust and the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(iv) of the Declaration or Section 4 of Annex I.

(b)           The Trust may, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any state; provided that:

(i)            if the Trust is not the surviving entity, such successor entity (the “Successor Entity”) either:

(A)          expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or

(B)           substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Securities (the “Successor Securities”) so that the Successor Securities rank the same as the Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

(ii)           the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity that possesses substantially the same powers and duties as the Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;

(iii)          such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect;

(iv)          the Institutional Trustee receives written confirmation from Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization that rates securities issued by the initial purchaser of the Capital Securities that it will not reduce or

18




withdraw the rating of any such securities because of such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement;

(v)           such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the Trust;

(vi)          prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:

(A)          such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect;

(B)           following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an Investment Company; and

(C)           following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes;

(vii)         the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee;

(viii)        the Sponsor owns 100% of the common securities of any Successor Entity; and

(ix)           prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Institutional Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate of the Administrators and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent under this Section 2.15(b) to such transaction have been satisfied.

(c)           Notwithstanding Section 2.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with the consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE III

SPONSOR

Section 3.1.           Sponsor’s Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the Trust in an amount at least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Capital Securities are sold.

Section 3.2.           Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in, or direct the Administrators to engage in, the following activities:

(a)           to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify the Trust or to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than

19




actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States, to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which it was created; and

(b)           to negotiate the terms of and/or execute on behalf of the Trust, the Placement Agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the Capital Securities.

Section 3.3.           Expenses. In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Debentures to the Trust and in connection with the sale of the Securities by the Trust, the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, shall:

(a)           pay all reasonable costs and expenses owing to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Indenture;

(b)           be responsible for and shall pay all debts and obligations (other than with respect to the Securities) and all costs and expenses of the Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities (including fees to the placement agents in connection therewith), the costs and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators, the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust, including, without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and computing or accounting equipment, Paying Agents, Registrars, Transfer Agents, duplicating, travel and telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition of Trust assets and the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee of the rights of the Holders (for purposes of clarification, this Section 3.3(b) does not contemplate the payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustees pursuant to the services to be provided by the Trustees under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Trustees’ counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Declaration); and

(c)           pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.

The Sponsor’s obligations under this Section 3.3 shall be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, any Person to whom such debts, obligations, costs, expenses and taxes are owed (a “Creditor”) whether or not such Creditor has received notice hereof.  Any such Creditor may enforce the Sponsor’s obligations under this Section 3.3 directly against the Sponsor and the Sponsor irrevocably waives any right or remedy to require that any such Creditor take any action against the Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the Sponsor.  The Sponsor agrees to execute such additional agreements as may be necessary or desirable in order to give full effect to the provisions of this Section 3.3.

Section 3.4.           Right to Proceed. The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of Holders to institute a Direct Action as set forth in Section 2.8(d) hereto.

ARTICLE IV

INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS

Section 4.1.           Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall initially be two, and;

(a)           at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and

20




(b)           after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holder of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holder of the Common Securities; provided, however, that there shall be a Delaware Trustee if required by Section 4.2; and there shall always be one Trustee who shall be the Institutional Trustee, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements, in which case Section 2.11 shall have no application to such entity in its capacity as Institutional Trustee.

Section 4.2.           Delaware Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           If required by the Statutory Trust Act, one Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”) shall be:

(i)            a natural person at least 21 years of age who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or

(ii)           if not a natural person, an entity which is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, including § 3807 of the Statutory Trust Act.

(b)           the initial Delaware Trustee shall be Wilmington Trust Company.

Section 4.3.           Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall:

(i)            not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;

(ii)           not offer or provide credit or credit enhancement to the Trust; and

(iii)          be a banking corporation or trust company organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state, or District of Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 4.3(a)(iii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

(b)           If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 4.5.

(c)           If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Institutional Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Declaration.

(d)           The initial Institutional Trustee shall be Wilmington Trust Company.

Section 4.4.           Administrators. Each Administrator shall be a U.S. Person, 21 years of age or older and authorized to bind the Sponsor.  The initial Administrators shall be Michael J. Perdue and

21




L. Bruce Mills, Jr..  There shall at all times be at least one Administrator.  Except where a requirement for action by a specific number of Administrators is expressly set forth in this Declaration and except with respect to any action the taking of which is the subject of a meeting of the Administrators, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Administrators may be taken by, and any power of the Administrators may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Administrator.

Section 4.5.           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and Administrators.

(a)           No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the “Relevant Trustee”) and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.5.

(b)           Subject to Section 4.5(a), a Relevant Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders of the Securities and by appointing a successor Relevant Trustee.  Upon the resignation of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from at least three Persons meeting the eligibility requirements their expenses and charges to serve as the successor Institutional Trustee on a form provided by the Administrators, and selecting the Person who agrees to the lowest expense and charges (the “Successor Institutional Trustee”).  If the instrument of acceptance by the successor Relevant Trustee required by this Section 4.5 shall not have been delivered to the Relevant Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation or delivery of the instrument of removal, the Relevant Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Trust, any federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Relevant Trustee. The Institutional Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of such successor pursuant to this Section 4.5.

(c)           Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by an act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities. If any Trustee shall be so removed, the Holders of the Common Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities delivered to the Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Relevant Trustee, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.5.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may be removed by the act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust).  If any Trustee shall be so removed, the Holders of Capital Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding delivered to the Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.5.  If no successor Relevant Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by this Section 4.5 within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of removal, the Relevant Trustee or any Holder who has been a Holder of the Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee.  Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees.

(d)           The Institutional Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders and to the Sponsor.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the Institutional Trustee.

22




(e)           Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Declaration, in the event a Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or is adjudged by a court to have become incompetent or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the Institutional Trustee following the procedures in this Section 4.5 (with the successor being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for a Delaware Trustee set forth in this Declaration) (the “Successor Delaware Trustee”).

(f)            In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee, the retiring Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Securities shall execute and deliver an amendment hereto wherein each successor Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Relevant Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Securities and the Trust and (b) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Declaration as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trust by more than one Relevant Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such Relevant Trustees co-trustees and upon the execution and delivery of such amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Relevant Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee; but, on request of the Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee, such retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities and the Trust subject to the payment of all unpaid fees, expenses and indemnities of such retiring Relevant Trustee.

(g)           No Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.

(h)           The Holders of the Capital Securities will have no right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Holders of the Common Securities.

(i)            Any successor Delaware Trustee shall file an amendment to the Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware identifying the name and principal place of business of such Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware.

Section 4.6.           Vacancies Among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 4.1, a vacancy shall occur.  A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Trustees, shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy.  The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 4.5.

Section 4.7.           Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, terminate or annul the Trust or terminate this Declaration.  Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Trustee in accordance with Section 4.5, the Institutional Trustee shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration.

Section 4.8.           Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators. Meetings of the Administrators shall be held from time to time upon the call of an Administrator. Regular meetings of the Administrators may be held in person in the United States or by telephone, at a place (if applicable) and time fixed by resolution of the Administrators.  Notice of any in-person meetings of the Trustees with the

23




Administrators or meetings of the Administrators shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Trustees with the Administrators or meetings of the Administrators or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting.  The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of a Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where the Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be, attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the grounds that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.  Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Trustees or the Administrators present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Trustees or the Administrators.  Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators together shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Trustee or an Administrator.

Section 4.9.           Delegation of Power.

(a)           Any Administrator may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 that is a U.S. Person his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.6; and

(b)           the Administrators shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Administrators or otherwise as the Administrators may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.

Section 4.10.        Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any Person into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be the successor of the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article and, provided, further, that such Person shall file an amendment to the Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as contemplated in Section 4.5(i).

ARTICLE V

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1.           Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder’s Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of Interest or any principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a “Distribution”) of such amounts to Holders.

24




ARTICLE VI

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

Section 6.1.           General Provisions Regarding Securities.

(a)           The Administrators shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue one series of capital securities substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I and one series of common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I.  The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.  The Capital Securities rank pari passu to, and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with, the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I.

(b)           The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by one or more Administrators. Such signature shall be the facsimile or manual signature of any Administrator.  In case any Administrator of the Trust who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrator before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates had not ceased to be such Administrator, and any Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be an Administrator of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such an Administrator.  A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the facsimile or manual signature of an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee.  Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been authenticated under this Declaration.  Upon written order of the Trust signed by one Administrator, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue. The Institutional Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that is a U.S. Person acceptable to the Trust to authenticate the Capital Securities. A Common Security need not be so authenticated.

(c)           The Capital Securities issued to QIBs shall be, except as provided in Section 6.4, Book-Entry Capital Securities issued in the form of one or more Global Capital Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and deposited with the Depositary or a custodian for the Depositary for credit by the Depositary to the respective accounts of the Depositary Participants thereof (or such other accounts as they may direct).  The Capital Securities issued to a Person other than a QIB shall be issued in the form of a Definitive Capital Securities Certificate.

(d)           The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

(e)           Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and, except as provided in Section 9.1(b) with respect to the Common Securities, non-assessable.

(f)            Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration and the Guarantee.

Section 6.2.           Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trust shall maintain in Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where the Capital Securities may be presented for payment

25




(“Paying Agent”), and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (the “Transfer Agent”). The Trust shall keep or cause to be kept at such office or agency a register for the purpose of registering Securities, transfers and exchanges of Securities, such register to be held by a registrar (the “Registrar”).  The Administrators may appoint the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Transfer Agent and may appoint one or more additional Paying Agents or one or more co-Registrars, or one or more co-Transfer Agents in such other locations as it shall determine.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, the term “Registrar” includes any additional registrar or co-Registrar and the term “Transfer Agent” includes any additional transfer agent.  The Administrators may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar at any time without prior notice to any Holder. The Administrators shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar not a party to this Declaration.  The Administrators hereby initially appoint the Institutional Trustee to act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.  The Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates in the United States may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.

Section 6.3.           Form and Dating. The Capital Securities and the Institutional Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Declaration.  Certificates may be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrators, as conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof.  The Securities may have letters, numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Sponsor).  The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Institutional Trustee in writing.  Each Capital Security shall be dated on or before the date of its authentication.  The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part of the terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.  Capital Securities will be issued only in blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.

The Capital Securities are being offered and sold by the Trust pursuant to the Placement Agreement in definitive, registered form without coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend.

Section 6.4.           Book-Entry Capital Securities.

(a)           A Global Capital Security may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for Definitive Capital Securities Certificates registered in the names of Owners only if such exchange complies with Article VIII and (i) the Depositary advises the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Global Capital Security, and no qualified successor is appointed by the Administrators within ninety (90) days of receipt of such notice, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Administrators fail to appoint a qualified successor within ninety (90) days of obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Administrators at their option advise the Institutional Trustee in writing that the Trust elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary, or (iv) an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.  Upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Administrators shall notify the Depositary and instruct the Depositary to notify all Owners of Book-Entry Capital Securities and the Institutional Trustee of the occurrence of such event and of the availability of Definitive Capital Securities Certificates to Owners of the Capital Securities

26




requesting the same. Upon the issuance of Definitive Capital Securities Certificates, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Capital Securities Certificates as Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security wishes at any time to transfer an interest in such Global Capital Security to a Person other than a QIB, such transfer shall be effected, subject to the Applicable Depositary Procedures, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4 and Article VIII, and the transferee shall receive a Definitive Capital Securities Certificate in connection with such transfer.  A holder of a Definitive Capital Securities Certificate that is a QIB may upon request, and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4 and Article VIII, exchange such Definitive Capital Securities Certificate for a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security.

(b)           If any Global Capital Security is to be exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities Certificates or canceled in part, or if any Definitive Capital Securities Certificate is to be exchanged in whole or in part for any Global Capital Security, then either (i) such Global Capital Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Section 6.4 and Article VIII or (ii) the aggregate liquidation amount represented by such Global Capital Security shall be reduced, subject to Section 6.3, or increased by an amount equal to the liquidation amount represented by that portion of the Global Capital Security to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the liquidation amount represented by such Definitive Capital Securities Certificates to be so exchanged for any Global Capital Security, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Registrar, whereupon the Institutional Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Depositary Procedures, shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender to the Administrators or the Registrar of any Global Capital Security or Securities by the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Administrators, or any one of them, shall execute the Definitive Capital Securities Certificates in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary.  None of the Registrar, Administrators, or the Institutional Trustee shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, such instructions.

(c)           Every Definitive Capital Securities Certificate executed and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Capital Security or any portion thereof shall be executed and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Capital Security, unless such Definitive Capital Securities Certificate is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Capital Security or a nominee thereof.

(d)           The Depositary or its nominee, as registered owner of a Global Capital Security, shall be the Holder of such Global Capital Security for all purposes under this Declaration and the Global Capital Security, and Owners with respect to a Global Capital Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable Depositary Procedures.  The Registrar, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary for all purposes of this Declaration relating to the Global Capital Securities (including the payment of the liquidation amount of and Distributions on the Book-Entry Capital Securities represented thereby and the giving of instructions or directions by Owners of Book-Entry Capital Securities represented thereby and the giving of notices) as the sole Holder of the Book-Entry Capital Securities represented thereby and shall have no obligations to the Owners thereof.  None of the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any liability in respect of any transfers effected by the Depositary.

(e)           The rights of the Owners of the Book-Entry Capital Securities shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law, the Applicable Depositary Procedures and agreements between such Owners and the Depositary and/or the Depositary Participants; provided, however, solely for the purpose of determining whether the Holders of the requisite amount of

27




Capital Securities have voted on any matter provided for in this Declaration, to the extent that Capital Securities are represented by a Global Capital Security, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, any written instrument (including a proxy) delivered to the Institutional Trustee by the Depositary setting forth the Owners’ votes or assigning the right to vote on any matter to any other Persons either in whole or in part.  To the extent that Capital Securities are represented by a Global Capital Security, the initial Depositary will make book-entry transfers among the Depositary Participants and receive and transmit payments on the Capital Securities that are represented by a Global Capital Security to such Depositary Participants, and none of the Sponsor, the Administrators or the Institutional Trustee shall have any responsibility or obligation with respect thereto.

(f)            To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Holders is required under this Declaration, for so long as Capital Securities are represented by a Global Capital Security, the Administrator and the Institutional Trustee shall give all such notices and communications to the Depositary, and shall have no obligations to the Owners.

Section 6.5.           Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

If:

(a)           any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Registrar, or if the Registrar shall receive evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and

(b)           there shall be delivered to the Registrar, the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless; then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by a protected purchaser, an Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall execute (and in the case of a Capital Security Certificate, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate) and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination.  In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 6.5, the Registrar or the Administrators may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.

Section 6.6.           Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Administrators may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Administrators consider appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrators shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

Section 6.7.           Cancellation. The Administrators at any time may deliver Securities to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar shall forward to the Institutional Trustee any Securities surrendered to it for registration of transfer, redemption or payment.  The Institutional Trustee shall promptly cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Securities as the Administrators direct.  The Administrators may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation.

28




Section 6.8.           CUSIP Numbers. The Trust in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Institutional Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notice of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that identification numbers printed on the Securities and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Trust shall promptly notify the Institutional Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

Section 6.9.           Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults.

(a)           The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.5, and the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below. The Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth therein and in this Declaration.  The Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights.

(b)           For so long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if upon an Indenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice in writing to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee.

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Debentures has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Debenture Trustee as provided in the Indenture, if the Institutional Trustee, subject to the provisions hereof, fails to annul any such declaration and waive such default, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, by written notice to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i)            the Debenture Issuer has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A)          all overdue installments of interest on all of the Debentures,

(B)           any accrued Additional Interest on all of the Debentures,

(C)           the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debentures that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest and Additional Interest thereon at the rate borne by the Debentures, and

(D)          all sums paid or advanced by the Debenture Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Debenture Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, their agents and counsel; and

(ii)           all Events of Default with respect to the Debentures, other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Debentures that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.7 of the Indenture.

The Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default under the Indenture or any Indenture

29




Event of Default, except a default or Indenture Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest on the Debentures (unless such default or Indenture Event of Default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default under the Indenture or an Indenture Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision that under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Upon receipt by the Institutional Trustee of written notice declaring such an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of any part of the Capital Securities, a record date shall be established for determining Holders of outstanding Capital Securities entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Institutional Trustee receives such notice.  The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day that is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is identical to a written notice that has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.9.

(c)           Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.9, the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive any past default or Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

ARTICLE VII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

Section 7.1.           Dissolution and Termination of Trust.

(a)           The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of:

(i)            unless earlier dissolved, on September 15, 2040, the expiration of the term of the Trust;

(ii)           upon a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(iii)          upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor (other than in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) or upon the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;

30




(iv)          upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities, upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of the outstanding Common Securities to dissolve the Trust as provided in Annex I hereto;

(v)           upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;

(vi)          when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities; or

(vii)         before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Trustees and the Sponsor.

(b)           As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 7.1(a), and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, including of the Statutory Trust Act, and subject to the terms set forth in Annex I, the Institutional Trustee shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

(c)           The provisions of Section 2.9 and Article IX shall survive the termination of the Trust.

ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

Section 8.1.           General.

(a)           Subject to Section 8.1(c), where Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal number of Capital Securities represented by different certificates, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.  To permit registrations of transfer and exchanges, the Trust shall issue and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(b)           Upon issuance of the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities and for so long as the Securities remain outstanding, and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Sponsor shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, under the Indenture that is a U.S. Person may succeed to the Sponsor’s ownership of the Common Securities.

(c)           Capital Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void and will be deemed to be of no legal effect whatsoever and any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder of such Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the receipt of Distributions on such Capital Securities, and such transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.

(d)           The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in

31




relation to it.  Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar shall cause one or more new Securities of the same tenor to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 6.7.  A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Security.  By acceptance of a Security, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.

(e)           The Trust shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) to register the transfer or exchange of any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

Section 8.2.           Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.

(a)           The Capital Securities shall bear the Restricted Securities Legend, which shall not be removed unless there is delivered to the Trust such satisfactory evidence, which may include an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee, as may be reasonably required by the Trust, that neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of the Securities Act.  Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Institutional Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.

(b)           Except as permitted by Section 8.2(a), each Capital Security shall bear a legend (the “Restricted Securities Legend”) in substantially the following form and a Capital Security shall not be transferred except in compliance with such legend, unless otherwise determined by the Sponsor, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:

[If the Capital Security is to be Global Capital Security- THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY

32




TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE

33




UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

(c)           To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trust shall execute and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar’s request.

(d)           Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to it.

(e)           All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Section 8.3.           Deemed Security Holders. The Trust, the Administrators, the Trustees, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust, the Administrators, the Trustees, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall have actual or other notice thereof.

34




ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS

Section 9.1.           Liability.

(a)           Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Guarantee and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

(i)            personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; or

(ii)           required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of the Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

(b)           The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust’s assets.

(c)           Pursuant to the Statutory Trust Act, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 9.2.           Exculpation.

(a)           No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)           An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected by such Indemnified Person with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

Section 9.3.           Fiduciary Duty.

(a)           To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration.  The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Indemnified Person.

35




(b)           Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision:

(i)            in its “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

(ii)           in its “good faith” or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law.

Section 9.4.           Indemnification.

(a)           The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(b)           The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust; provided, however, that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

(c)           To the extent that an Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

(d)           Any indemnification of an Administrator under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he

36




has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b). Such determination shall be made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such Administrators who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

(e)           To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 shall be paid by the Sponsor in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 9.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrators, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrators, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such Indemnified Person did not believe to be in the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrators, independent legal counsel or the Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such Indemnified Person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.

(f)            The Trustees, at the sole cost and expense of the Sponsor, retain the right to representation by counsel of their own choosing in any action, suit or any other proceeding for which they are indemnified under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4, without affecting their right to indemnification hereunder or waiving any rights afforded to it under this Declaration or applicable law.

(g)           The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 9.4 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 9.4 shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 9.4 is in effect.  Any repeal or modification of this Section 9.4 shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

(h)           The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 9.4.

(i)            For purposes of this Section 9.4, references to “the Trust” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any Person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the

37




provisions of this Section 9.4 with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.

(j)            The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 9.4 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, (i) continue as to a Person who has ceased to be an Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person; and (ii) survive the termination or expiration of this Declaration or the earlier removal or resignation of an Indemnified Person.

Section 9.5.           Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper.  None of any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity.  Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

Section 9.6.           Compensation; Fee. The Sponsor agrees:

(a)           to pay to the Trustees from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder as the parties shall agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of their respective agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

For purposes of clarification, this Section 9.6 does not contemplate the payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustees under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Trustees’ counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Declaration.

The provisions of this Section 9.6 shall survive the dissolution of the Trust and the termination of this Declaration and the removal or resignation of any Trustee.

No Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any property of the Trust as a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.6.

38




ARTICLE X

ACCOUNTING

Section 10.1.        Fiscal Year. The fiscal year (“Fiscal Year”) of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

Section 10.2.        Certain Accounting Matters.

(a)           At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrators shall keep, or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Trust in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each transaction of the Trust.  The books of account shall be maintained, at the Sponsor’s expense, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon (either separately or as part of the Sponsor’s regularly prepared consolidated financial report) as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.

(b)           The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities Form 1099 or such other annual United States federal income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations.  Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrators shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.

(c)           The Administrators, at the Sponsor’s expense, shall cause to be duly prepared at the principal office of the Sponsor in the United States, as ‘United States’ is defined in Section 7701(a)(9) of the Code (or at the principal office of the Trust if the Sponsor has no such principal office in the United States), and filed an annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority.

Section 10.3.        Banking. The Trust shall maintain in the United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Account.  The sole signatories for such accounts (including the Property Account) shall be designated by the Institutional Trustee.

Section 10.4.        Withholding. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent and the Administrators shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law.  The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent shall request, and each Holder shall provide to the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to the Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations.  The Administrators shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions.  To the extent that the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder.  In the event of any claimed

39




overwithholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction.  If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

Section 11.1.        Amendments.

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed (i) by the Institutional Trustee, or (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, by the Delaware Trustee.

(b)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI, an amendment may be made, and any such purported amendment shall be valid and effective only if:

(i)            the Institutional Trustee shall have first received

(A)          an Officers’ Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(B)           an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

(ii)           the result of such amendment would not be to

(A)          cause the Trust to cease to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; or

(B)           cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(c)           Except as provided in Section 11.1(d), (e) or (h), no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective, unless the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities shall have consented to such amendment.

(d)           In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or change any conversion or exchange provisions or (ii) restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.

(e)           Sections 9.1(b) and 9.1(c) and this Section 11.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.

(f)            Article III shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

40




(g)           The rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities under Article IV to appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(h)           This Declaration may be amended by the Institutional Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities to:

(i)            cure any ambiguity;

(ii)           correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;

(iii)          add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor; or

(iv)          modify, eliminate or add to any provision of this Declaration to such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes at all times as a grantor trust and will not be required to register as an Investment Company (including without limitation to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5, Rule 3a-7 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Company Act or written change in interpretation or application thereof by any legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority) which amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences or privileges of the Holders of Securities;

provided, however, that no such modification, elimination or addition referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) shall adversely affect in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of Holders of Capital Securities.

Section 11.2.        Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent.

(a)           Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at any time by the Administrators (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration or the terms of the Securities. The Administrators shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.  Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrators one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of the Securities wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of the Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders of the Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities represented by such Certificates shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.

(b)           Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of the Securities:

(i)            notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders of the Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities.  Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of the Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of the Securities owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities

41




in liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of the Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders of the Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.  The Administrators may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Holders of the Securities for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Administrators;

(ii)           each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.  Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of the Securities executing it.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Delaware corporation; each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Administrators or by such other Person that the Administrators may designate; and

(iii)          unless the Statutory Trust Act, this Declaration, or the terms of the Securities otherwise provides, the Administrators, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders of the Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote; provided, however, that each meeting shall be conducted in the United States (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7).

ARTICLE XII

REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE

Section 12.1.        Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. The initial Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustee’s acceptance of its appointment as Institutional Trustee, that:

(a)           the Institutional Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust powers, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;

(b)           the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Institutional Trustee.  This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

42




(c)           the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and

(d)           no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration.

Section 12.2.        Representations of the Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee’s acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that:

(a)           if it is not a natural person, the Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

(b)           if it is not a natural person, the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Delaware Trustee.  This Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee, and under Delaware law (excluding any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

(c)           if it is not a natural person, the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee;

(d)           it has trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;

(e)           no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any state or federal banking authority governing the trust powers of the Delaware Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration; and

(f)            the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, it is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and, in either case, a Person that satisfies for the Trust the requirements of Section 3807 of the Statutory Trust Act.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.1.        Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied (which telecopy shall be followed by notice delivered or mailed by first class mail) or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)           if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrators at the Trust’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

43




Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III
c/o Community Bancorp Inc.
900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300
Escondido, California  92025
Attention: L. Bruce Mills, Jr.
Telecopy:  760-740-6130

(b)           if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the Delaware Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware  19890-1600
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telecopy:  302-636-4140

(c)           if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware  19890-1600
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telecopy:  302-636-4140

(d)           if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):

Community Bancorp Inc.
900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300
Escondido, California  92025
Attention: L. Bruce Mills, Jr.
Telecopy:  760-740-6130

(e)           if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Trust.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 13.2.        Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of laws of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Declaration any provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware

44




pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner inconsistent with the terms hereof (a) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (b) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (c) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (d) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (e) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, or (f) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets.

Section 13.3.        Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties.

Section 13.4.        Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof.

Section 13.5.        Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

Section 13.6.        Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

Section 13.7.        Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees and Administrators to any of such counterpart signature pages.  All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page.

Signatures appear on the following page

45




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,

 

as Delaware Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

 

Name: Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

Title:  Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,

 

as Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

 

Name: Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

Title:  Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC., as Sponsor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

Name: Michael J. Perdue

 

 

Title:  President & CEO

 

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATORS OF COMMUNITY (CA)

 

CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ L. Bruce Mills

 

 

 

Administrator

 

46




ANNEX I

TERMS OF SECURITIES

Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of August 15, 2005 (as amended from time to time, the “Declaration”), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Declaration):

1.             Designation and Number.

(a)           20,000 Fixed/Floating Rate Capital Securities of Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III (the “Trust”), with an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000.00) and a stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as the “Capital Securities”. The Capital Security Certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

(b)           619 Fixed/Floating Rate Common Securities of the Trust (the “Common Securities”) will be evidenced by Common Security Certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

2.             Distributions.

(a)           Distributions will be payable on each Security for the Distribution Period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 at a rate per annum of 5.85% and shall bear interest for each successive Distribution Period beginning on (and including) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 1.69% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the stated liquidation amount thereof, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.  Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the applicable Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by law).  Distributions, as used herein, include cash distributions and any such compounded distributions unless otherwise noted.  A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of the Distribution payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.  All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

I-1




(b)           Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance, and will be payable, subject to extension of distribution payment periods as described herein, quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each a “Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in September 2005 when, as and if available for payment. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by deferring the payment of interest on the Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable.  During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”).  No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date.  At the end of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date and provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer and its Affiliates shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Debenture Issuer’s or its Affiliates’ capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Debenture Issuer) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing, or (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Debenture Issuer or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Debenture Issuer) for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Debenture Issuer’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Securities shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the

I-2




related Extension Period terminates to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust.  The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

(c)           Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record dates.  The relevant record dates shall be fifteen days before the relevant Distribution Payment Date.  Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Payment Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, as the case may be, when due (taking into account any Extension Period), will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture.

(d)           In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

3.             Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust (each a “Liquidation”) other than in connection with a redemption of the Debentures, the Holders of the Securities will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of the Securities, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer), distributions equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the “Liquidation Distribution”), unless in connection with such Liquidation, the Debentures in an aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date as, such Securities, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust in accordance with the Statutory Trust Act, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities.

The Sponsor, as the Holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of a Special Event), subject to the receipt by the Debenture Issuer of prior approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of the Sponsor (the “Federal Reserve”), if the Sponsor is a bank holding company, or from the Office of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of Sponsor, (the “OTS”) if the Sponsor is a savings and loan holding company, in either case if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, cause the Debentures to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with the aggregate stated liquidation amount thereof.

If a Liquidation of the Trust occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) in Section 7.1(a) of the Declaration, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Institutional Trustee as expeditiously as it determines to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the

I-3




Securities, the Debentures on a Pro Rata basis to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, unless such distribution is determined by the Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to the Holders, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust to the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, an amount equal to the Liquidation Distribution.  An early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 7.1(a) of the Declaration shall occur if the Institutional Trustee determines that such Liquidation is possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro Rata basis, the Debentures, and such distribution occurs.

If, upon any such Liquidation the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on such Capital Securities shall be paid to the Holders of the Trust Securities on a Pro Rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.

After the date for any distribution of the Debentures upon dissolution of the Trust (i) the Securities of the Trust will be deemed to be no longer outstanding, (ii) upon surrender of a Holder’s Securities certificate, such Holder of the Securities will receive a certificate representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, (iii) any certificates representing the Securities still outstanding will be deemed to represent undivided beneficial interests in such of the Debentures as have an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount with an interest rate identical to the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissuance (and until such certificates are so surrendered, no payments of interest or principal shall be made to Holders of Securities in respect of any payments due and payable under the Debentures; provided, however that such failure to pay shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default and shall not entitle the Holder to the benefits of the Guarantee), and (iv) all rights of Holders of Securities under the Declaration shall cease, except the right of such Holders to receive Debentures upon surrender of certificates representing such Securities.

4.             Redemption and Distribution.

(a)           The Debentures will mature on September 15, 2035.  The Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, at any Distribution Payment Date on or after the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, at the Redemption Price. In addition, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture Issuer at the Special Redemption Price, in whole but not in part, at any Distribution Payment Date, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event at the Special Redemption Price, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to holders of such Debentures so long as such Special Event is continuing. In each case, the right of the Debenture Issuer to redeem the Debentures is subject to the Debenture Issuer having received prior approval from the Federal Reserve (if the Debenture Issuer is a bank holding company) or prior approval from the OTS (if the Debenture Issuer is a savings and loan holding company), in each case if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the applicable federal agency.  The Sponsor shall appoint a Quotation Agent, which shall be a designee of the Institutional Trustee, for the purpose of performing the services contemplated in or by reference in, the definition of Special Redemption Price.  Any error in the calculation of the Special Redemption Price by the Quotation Agent or the Debenture Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered to the Sponsor and the holders of the Capital Securities.  Subject to the corrective rights set forth above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of the Special Redemption Price on the Debentures or the Capital Securities by the Debenture Trustee, the

I-4




Quotation Agent or the Institutional Trustee, as the case may be, shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith or manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the holders of the Debentures and the Capital Securities, the Trust and the Sponsor, and no liability shall attach (except as provided above) to the Debenture Trustee, the Quotation Agent or the Institutional Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by any of them of their respective powers, duties and discretion.

3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority:

(1)           the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below).  “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;

(2)           if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

(3)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

(4)           if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.

If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

Capital Treatment Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Sponsor will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its then

I-5




equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the Sponsor (or if the Sponsor is not a bank holding company, such guidelines applied to the Sponsor as if the Sponsor were subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the Sponsor to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as Tier l Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Sponsor having cumulative preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable, may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the distribution of Debentures in connection with the Liquidation of the Trust shall not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such Liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means with respect to any Special Redemption Date the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a period from 3 months before to 3 months after the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities as selected by the Quotation Agent shall be used as the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated and extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such securities.

Comparable Treasury Price” means (a) the average of 5 Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Special Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than 5 such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.

Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life” means, with respect to any Debenture, the period from the Special Redemption Date for such Debenture to the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010.

Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will be considered an Investment Company that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the Debentures.

Maturity Date” means September 15, 2035.

Primary Treasury Dealer” shall mean either a primary United States Government securities dealer or an entity of nationally recognized standing in matters pertaining to the quotation of treasury securities that is reasonably acceptable to the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee.

Quotation Agent” means a designee of the Institutional Trustee who shall be a Primary Treasury Dealer.

I-6




Redemption Date” shall mean the date fixed for the redemption of Capital Securities, which shall be any Distribution Payment Date on or after the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010.

Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid Interest on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Debenture Trustee after consultation with the Debenture Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Special Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Debenture Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

Special Event” means a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event.

Special Redemption Date” means a date on which a Special Event redemption occurs, which shall be a Distribution Payment Date.

Special Redemption Price” means (a) if the Special Redemption Date occurs before the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, the greater of (i) 107.5% of the principal amount of the Debentures, plus accrued and unpaid Interest on the Debentures to the Special Redemption Date, or (ii) as determined by the Quotation Agent, (A) the sum of the present values of the scheduled payments of principal and Interest on the Debentures during the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life of the Debentures (assuming the Debentures matured on September 15, 2010) discounted to the Special Redemption Date on a quarterly basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus (B) accrued and unpaid Interest on the Debentures to such Special Redemption Date, or (b) if the Special Redemption Date occurs on or after the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid Interest on such Debentures to the Special Redemption Date.

Tax Event” means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations) (an “Administrative Action”) or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a proceeding involving the Debenture Issuer or the Trust and whether or not subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change, Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

I-7




Treasury Rate” means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the date of calculation, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated H.15 (519) or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Fixed Rate Period Remaining Life shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Special Redemption Date.  The Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Quotation Agent on the third Business Day preceding the Special Redemption Date.

(b)           Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in part of the Debentures (other than following the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall concurrently be applied to redeem Pro Rata at the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed; provided, however, that holders of such Securities shall be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice of such redemption (other than at the scheduled maturity of the Debentures).

(c)           If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Capital Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be redeemed will be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Capital Securities.

(d)           The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Capital Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Capital Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption.

(e)           Redemption or Distribution Procedures.

(i)            Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of the Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a “Redemption/Distribution Notice”) will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this paragraph 4(e)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of such Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of such Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.

(ii)           If the Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this paragraph 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then, provided that the Institutional Trustee has a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the

I-8




Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the Redemption Date.  If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited as required then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit Distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price specified in paragraph 4(a), but without interest on such Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.  If payment of the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Debenture Issuer as guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue at the Distribution Rate from the original Redemption Date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price.  In the event of any redemption of the Capital Securities issued by the Trust in part, the Trust shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days before any selection for redemption of the Capital Securities and ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the Capital Securities to be so redeemed or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Capital Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Capital Securities being redeemed in part.

(iii)          Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Administrators on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Capital Securities, the Holders thereof and (B) in respect of the Common Securities, the Holder thereof.

(iv)          Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities laws), and provided that the acquiror is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

5.             Voting Rights - Capital Securities.

(a)           Except as provided under paragraphs 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights. The Administrators are required to call a meeting of the Holders of the Capital Securities if directed to do so by Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

(b)           Subject to the requirements of obtaining a tax opinion by the Institutional Trustee in certain circumstances set forth in the last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture as the holder of the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent on behalf of all the Holders of the Capital Securities to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the

I-9




consent or act of the holders of greater than a simple majority in aggregate principal amount of Debentures (a “Super Majority”) affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Debentures after the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of such Capital Securities have so directed the Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a Holder of the Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Debentures without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date the interest or principal is payable (or in the case of redemption, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable), then a Holder of record of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment, on or after the respective due dates specified in the Debentures, to such Holder directly of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder. The Institutional Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any default actually known to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the Debentures unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Capital Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of principal of or interest on any of the Debentures. Such notice shall state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes an Event of Default hereunder. Except with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the Debentures, is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Institutional Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of a Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities outstanding which the relevant Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional Trustee shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default hereunder. Any required approval or direction of Holders of the Capital Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth the following information (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to

I-10




redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

Notwithstanding that Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such Capital Securities were not outstanding.

In no event will Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the Common Securities of the Trust.  Under certain circumstances as more fully described in the Declaration, Holders of Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.

6.             Voting Rights - Common Securities.

(a)           Except as provided under paragraphs 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Common Securities will have no voting rights.

(b)           The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance with Article IV of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Administrators.

(c)           Subject to Section 6.9 of the Declaration and only after each Event of Default (if any) with respect to the Capital Securities has been cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waiving any past default and its consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercising any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding this paragraph 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights, to the fullest extent permitted by law, under the Declaration, any Holder of the Common Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to enforce the Institutional Trustee’s rights under the Declaration, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other Person.

Any approval or direction of Holders of the Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of the Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent.  The Administrators will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter

I-11




upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of the Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.

7.             Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.

(a)           In addition to any requirements under Section 11.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Trustees, Sponsor or Administrators otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the Liquidation of the Trust, other than as described in Section 7.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected thereby; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Capital Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.

(b)           In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to the Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the Trust to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as other than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Institutional Trustee or (iii) cause the Trust to be deemed an Investment Company which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

(d)           Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the right of any Holder of the Capital Securities to receive payment of distributions and other payments upon redemption or otherwise, on or after their respective due dates, or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder. For the protection and enforcement of the foregoing provision, each and every Holder of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or equity.

8.             Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution or treatment as being “Pro Rata” shall mean pro rata to each Holder of the Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities then outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default

I-12




has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of the Common Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.

9.             Ranking. The Capital Securities rank pari passu with and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive payment of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities with the result that no payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all outstanding Capital Securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) the full amount of such Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) on all outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Institutional Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.

10.           Acceptance of Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities, by the acceptance of such Securities, agrees to the provisions of the Guarantee, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.

11.           No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.

12.           Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

I-13




EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE OF DTC.  THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR’S AND THE TRUST’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN

A-1-1




 

ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST.  HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DECLARATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Certificate Number P-1

20,000 Capital Securities

CUSIP NO. 20365R AA 5

 

 

August 15, 2005

Certificate Evidencing Fixed/Floating Rate Capital Securities

of

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III

A-1-2




 

(liquidation amount $1,000.00 per Capital Security)

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that Cede & Co. (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of capital securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (liquidation amount $1,000.00 per capital security) (the “Capital Securities”). Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The Capital Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of August 15, 2005, among Michael J. Perdue and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

Signatures appear on following page

A-1-3




 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

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

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as the Institutional Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

 

A-1-4




 

 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF CAPITAL SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at an annual rate equal to 5.85% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 1.69% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions and any such compounded distributions unless otherwise noted.  A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.  The amount of the Distribution payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.  If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

A-1-5




 

 

All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year or if any such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such day, a “Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in September 2005.  The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable.  During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.  No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest.  During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Capital Securities shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust.  The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.

The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-1-6




 

 

ASSIGNMENT

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital Security Certificate to:

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints

 

agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust.  The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:(1)

 


(1) Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-1-7




EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.

THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 8.1 OF THE DECLARATION.

Certificate Number C-1                                                                                         619 Common Securities

August 15, 2005

Certificate Evidencing Fixed/Floating Rate Common Securities

of

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III

Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Trust”), hereby certifies that Community Bancorp Inc. (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the “Common Securities”). The Common Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of August 15, 2005, among Michael J. Perdue and L. Bruce Mills, Jr., as Administrators, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee, Community Bancorp Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Declaration”).  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration.  The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

As set forth in the Declaration, when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption or otherwise are subordinated to the rights of payment of Holders of the Capital Securities.

Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

This Common Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

A-2-1




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.

COMMUNITY (CA) CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title: Administrator

 

A-2-2




[FORM OF REVERSE OF COMMON SECURITY]

Distributions payable on each Common Security will be payable at an annual rate equal to 5.85% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010, and each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 1.69% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term “Distributions” as used herein includes cash distributions and any such compounded distributions unless otherwise noted.  A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.  The amount of the Distribution payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in September 2010 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.

“3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.  If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.  If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.

A-2-3




All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Common Securities will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).

Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year or if any such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such day, a “Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in September 2005. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an “Extension Period”) at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable.  During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as “Additional Interest”). No Extension Period may end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date.  At the end of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest.  During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Common Securities shall be deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust’s funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer.

The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.

A-2-4




ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security Certificate to:

 

 

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

agent

 

to transfer this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security Certificate)

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security Certificate)

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee(2)

 

 


(2) Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union, meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A-2-5




EXHIBIT B

SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE

(See Document No. 17)

B-1




EXHIBIT C

PLACEMENT AGREEMENT

(See Document No. 1)

C-1



EX-10.25 13 a07-4181_1ex10d25.htm EX-10.25

Exhibit 10.25

 

 

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

by and between

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC.

and

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

Dated as of August 15, 2005

 




GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “Guarantee”), dated as of August 15, 2005, is executed and delivered by Community Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee (the “Guarantee Trustee”), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Community (CA) Capital Statutory Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Issuer”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”), dated as of the date hereof among Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as institutional trustee, the administrators of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof those undivided beneficial interests, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $20,000,000.00 (the “Capital Securities”); and

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of Capital Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of the Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1.           Definitions and Interpretation. In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)           capitalized terms used in this Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

(b)           a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee has the same meaning throughout;

(c)           all references to “the Guarantee” or “this Guarantee” are to this Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

(d)           all references in this Guarantee to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles or Sections of this Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

(e)           terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of this Guarantee have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and

(f)            a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

Beneficiaries” means any Person to whom the Issuer is or hereafter becomes indebted or liable.




Capital Securities” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Guarantee.

Common Securities” means the common securities issued by the Issuer to the Guarantor pursuant to the Declaration.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Guarantee is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware  19890-1600, Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration.

Covered Person” means any Holder of Capital Securities.

Debentures” means the debt securities of the Guarantor designated the Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2035 held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer.

Declaration Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Declaration.

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Guarantee Payments” means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer:  (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) which are required to be paid on such Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefore, (ii) the Redemption Price to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefore, with respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, (iii) the Special Redemption Price to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefore, with respect to Capital Securities redeemed upon the occurrence of a Special Event, and (iv) upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefore as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefore, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the “Liquidation Distribution”).

Guarantee Trustee” means Wilmington Trust Company, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

Guarantor” means Community Bancorp Inc. and each of its successors and assigns.

Holder” means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, “Holder” shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

Indemnified Person” means the Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Guarantee Trustee.

Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the Guarantor and Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee, and any indenture

2




supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the institutional trustee of the Issuer.

Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph to this Guarantee.

Liquidation Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Guarantee Payments” herein.

Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities” means Holder(s) of outstanding Capital Securities, voting together as a class, but separately from the holders of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Capital Securities then outstanding.

Obligations” means any costs, expenses or liabilities (but not including liabilities related to taxes) of the Issuer other than obligations of the Issuer to pay to holders of any Trust Securities the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Trust Securities.

Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer’s Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee shall include:

(a)           a statement that the officer signing the Officer’s Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

(b)           a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by the officer in rendering the Officer’s Certificate;

(c)           a statement that the officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of the officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Special Event” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Special Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

3




Successor Guarantee Trustee” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 3.1.

Trust Securities” means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

ARTICLE II

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

Section 2.1.           Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           This Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Capital Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 4.4(b) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee.  The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(b)           If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(c)           The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after curing all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee.  In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been waived pursuant to Section 2.4) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(d)           No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)            prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

(A)          the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee; and

(B)           in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee; but in the

4




case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee;

(ii)           the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that such Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee or the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

(iii)          the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or relating to the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; and

(iv)          no provision of this Guarantee shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee or security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 2.2.           Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1:

(i)            The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

(ii)           Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate.

(iii)          Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Guarantor which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

(iv)          The Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any re-recording, refiling or re-registration thereof).

(v)           The Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any

5




of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees.  The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction.

(vi)          The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses and the expenses of the Guarantee Trustee’s agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 2.2(a)(vi) shall relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee.

(vii)         The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(viii)        The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(ix)           Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action.  No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Guarantee Trustee’s or its agent’s taking such action.

(x)            Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions.

(xi)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee.

(b)           No provision of this Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation.  No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

6




Section 2.3.           Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee. The recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness.  The Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee.

Section 2.4.           Events of Default; Waiver.

(a)           An Event of Default under this Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Guarantor to perform any of its payment or other obligations hereunder.

(b)           The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may, voting or consenting as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 2.5.           Events of Default; Notice.

(a)           The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Guarantor, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, however, that the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

(b)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice from the Guarantor or a Holder of the Capital Securities (except in the case of a payment default), or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of this Guarantee shall have obtained actual knowledge thereof.

ARTICLE III

GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

Section 3.1.           Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.

(a)           There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

(i)            not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor, and

(ii)           be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 3.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

7




(b)           If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 3.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 3.2(c).

(c)           If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this Guarantee.

Section 3.2.           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee.

(a)           Subject to Section 3.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of Default.

(b)           The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 3.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

(c)           The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation.  The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by an instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.

(d)           If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 3.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee.  Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(e)           No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Guarantee Trustee.

(f)            Upon termination of this Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee all amounts owing to the Guarantee Trustee under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

8




ARTICLE IV

GUARANTEE

Section 4.1.           Guarantee.

(a)           The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense (except the defense of payment by the Issuer), right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert.  The Guarantor’s obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

(b)           The Guarantor hereby also agrees to assume any and all Obligations of the Issuer and in the event any such Obligation is not so assumed, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Beneficiary the full payment, when and as due, of any and all Obligations to such Beneficiaries.  This Guarantee is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.

Section 4.2.           Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

Section 4.3.           Obligations Not Affected. The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

(a)           the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

(b)           the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of or in connection with, the Capital Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Special Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted by the Indenture);

(c)           any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

(d)           the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

9




(e)           any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital Securities;

(f)            the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or

(g)           any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

Section 4.4.           Rights of Holders.

(a)           The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; provided, however, that (subject to Section 2.1) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Guarantee Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committees or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.

(b)           Any Holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee Trustee’s rights under this Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person.  The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any such action be brought first against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person before so proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

Section 4.5.           Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

Section 4.6.           Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, after giving effect to any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee.  If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

Section 4.7.           Independent Obligations. The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 4.3 hereof.

Section 4.8.           Enforcement by a Beneficiary. A Beneficiary may enforce the obligations of the Guarantor contained in Section 4.1(b) directly against the Guarantor and the Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the Issuer or any other person or entity

10




before proceeding against the Guarantor. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of any Beneficiary against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Beneficiaries by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if at the time of any such payment, and after giving effect to such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE V

LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

Section 5.1.           Limitation of Transactions. So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (a) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or a Declaration Event of Default or (b) the Guarantor shall have selected an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration and such period, or any extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing, then the Guarantor shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor’s or such Affiliate’s capital stock (other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Guarantor) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor or any Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (i) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Guarantor in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Guarantor (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default, Declaration Event of Default or Extension Period, as applicable, (ii) as a result of any exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Guarantor) for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock or of any class or series of the Guarantor’s indebtedness for any class or series of the Guarantor’s capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (iv) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (v) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (vi) payments under this Guarantee).

Section 5.2.           Ranking. This Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the Guarantor.  By their acceptance thereof, each Holder of Capital Securities agrees to the foregoing provisions of this Guarantee and the other terms set forth herein.

The right of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary.  Accordingly, the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee will be effectively

11




subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the Guarantor for payments hereunder.  This Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Guarantor, including Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, under any indenture that the Guarantor may enter into in the future or otherwise.

ARTICLE VI

TERMINATION

Section 6.1.           Termination. This Guarantee shall terminate as to the Capital Securities (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price of all Capital Securities then outstanding, (ii) upon the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon dissolution of the Issuer. This Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or under this Guarantee.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1.           Exculpation.

(a)           No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

(b)           An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Issuer or the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Issuer or the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected with reasonable care by such Indemnified Person, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Capital Securities might properly be paid.

Section 7.2.           Indemnification.

(a)           The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Person, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of the Indemnified Person defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Indemnified Person’s powers or duties hereunder.  The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

12




(b)           Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person under this Section 7.2 of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Guarantor under this Section 7.2, notify the Guarantor in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Guarantor (i) will not relieve the Guarantor from liability under paragraph (a) above unless and to the extent that the Guarantor did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Guarantor of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the Guarantor from any obligations to any Indemnified Person other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) above.  The Guarantor shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the Guarantor’s choice at the Guarantor’s expense to represent the Indemnified Person in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the Guarantor shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Persons except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the Guarantor’s election to appoint counsel to represent the Guarantor in an action, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Guarantor shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Guarantor to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the Indemnified Person and the Guarantor and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Person(s) which are different from or additional to those available to the Guarantor, (iii) the Guarantor shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the Guarantor shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Guarantor.  The Guarantor will not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

Section 7.3.           Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses. The Guarantor agrees:

(a)           to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree to from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in accordance with any provision of this Guarantee (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

For purposes of clarification, this Section 7.3 does not contemplate the payment by the Guarantor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Guarantee Trustee for services to be provided by the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee or the fees and expenses of the Guarantee Trustee’s counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Guarantee.  The provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

13




ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1.           Successors and Assigns. All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding.  Except in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Guarantor with or into another entity or any sale, transfer or lease of the Guarantor’s assets to another entity, in each case, to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Guarantee without the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

Section 8.2.           Amendments. Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.  The provisions of the Declaration with respect to amendments thereof apply to the giving of such approval.

Section 8.3.           Notices. All notices provided for in this Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

(a)           If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee Trustee’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Guarantor):

Wilmington Trust Company

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware  19890-1600

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Telecopy:  302-636-4140

(b)           If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and to the Guarantee Trustee):

Community Bancorp Inc.

900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300

Escondido, California  92025

Attention: L. Bruce Mills, Jr.

Telecopy:  760-740-6130

(c)           If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

14




Section 8.4.           Benefit. This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Beneficiaries and, subject to Section 2.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Capital Securities.

Section 8.5.           Governing Law. THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

Section 8.6.           Counterparts. This Guarantee may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 8.7            Separability. In case one or more of the provisions contained in this Guarantee shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Guarantee, but this Guarantee shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Signatures appear on the following page

15




THIS GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written.

COMMUNITY BANCORP INC., as Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael J. Perdue

 

 

 

Name:

Michael J. Perdue

 

 

Title:

President & CEO

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Guarantee

 

Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

 

Name:

Christopher J. Monigle

 

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

16



EX-21.1 14 a07-4181_1ex21d1.htm EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

FIRST COMMUNITY BANCORP

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
AT FEBRUARY 16, 2007

SUBSIDIARY

 

 

 

STATE

Pacific Western Bank

 

State chartered, doing business in California

First Community/CA Statutory Trust I

 

Connecticut

First Community/CA Statutory Trust IV

 

Connecticut

First Community/CA Statutory Trust V

 

Connecticut

First Community/CA Statutory Trust VI

 

Delaware

First Community Statutory Trust VII

 

Delaware

Foothill Independent Statutory Trust I

 

Connecticut

Community/CA Capital Trust I

 

Delaware

Community/CA Capital Statutory Trust II

 

Delaware

Community/CA Capital Statutory Trust III

 

Delaware

 



EX-23.1 15 a07-4181_1ex23d1.htm EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors
First Community Bancorp:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 333-124948) on Form S-3 and (Nos. 333-43330, 333-101025, 333-107636 and 333-138542) on Form S-8 of First Community Bancorp of our reports dated February 27, 2007, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of First Community Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, which reports appear in the December 31, 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K of First Community Bancorp.

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

 

February 27, 2007

 

 



EX-31.1 16 a07-4181_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification
Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Matthew P. Wagner, certify that:

1.                I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 of First Community Bancorp;

2.                Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.                Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)           Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)          Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)          Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)           All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)          Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 27, 2007

/s/ Matthew P. Wagner

 

Matthew P. Wagner

 

Chief Executive Officer

 




Certification
Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Victor R. Santoro, certify that:

1.                I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 of First Community Bancorp;

2.                Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.                Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)           Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)          Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)          Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)           All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)          Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 27, 2007

/s/ Victor R. Santoro

 

Victor R. Santoro

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 



EX-32.1 17 a07-4181_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350), the undersigned officer of First Community Bancorp (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 27, 2007

/s/ Matthew P. Wagner

 

Name:

Matthew P. Wagner

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.




Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350), the undersigned officer of First Community Bancorp (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 27, 2007

/s/ Victor R. Santoro

 

Name:

Victor R. Santoro

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.



GRAPHIC 18 g41811dki001.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 g41811dki001.gif M1TE&.#EAXP%,`?0```,#`PL+"Q04%!L;&R0D)"LK*S0T-#L[.T-#0TM+2U14 M5%Q<7&1D9&MK:W1T='M[>X*"@HR,C).3DYN;FZ6EI:NKJ[.SL[N[N\;&QLS, MS-34U-O;V^3DY.OKZ_/S\_[^_B'Y!```````+`````#C`4P!``7^X">.9&F6 MWIBJ9^N^<"S/=&W?>*[O?.__P*!P2"P:C\BD$PNF\_H9,>@J1P^"HGEW7A@#!W=JK47]65_?S&!-H0UAC2(,XJ`*(6. MAY")DHN-?)26+)$D@C",@YBA0!P5'Q@*'@DI"QD*'!\,%FFSM+6VM[BY-A4" M#QT)(@P5"WD.%!]]'7QX_/@]=WW\)V'>1\(%PM2*,"PX)4P%`8`*`00(`##APT5.HP8 MD>%$B!0I6MRX\6+#B1HS2O1H$:1'D"/^(999/DSYA%51XEZM)H4(DIFRH=:E/J29\[H]+4*;(G3*9!G6+] M.=(A`AX<$'#0<*"#@@IW8$78@,>$``@:,.C=RS<#W[^``PL>3+BPX<.($RM> MS+BQX\>0(TN>3+FR9<5^]VI84*`'!04)2FE(\.7*@@.R[);2Q;JUZ]>PS:1P MT#F*@&,>]O39[4>3;DB\D?4>3ERX<>._.15?P5S3L2>WGGQ\^/#-.TA8OS["ZN.YP1/2;KWZ>>Z2RD.G?G\_]>`KT-;# M/M*I<%ML"";^J*`.&2RTT%D$+EB&@+:])^&%&%ZH@8,*G>5""LW%)]LMLQ$0 MA0<'1ICABBS2LB&'!6"0@08H)CA!YHH,&,7EI12X]/_"CDF6@Z0:0`1B+@ MP5I^53"!!!`XL(`""!Q0``$"","310(,L"0""2Q0AP034%"EEUCND,(&?RID M`"TEAB%`*5FFJ>FF.4````)M@J=E!QOD94$%=#K0`&AZ$C"`GS\%JN0!A=8! M@0046&#E!C7^P4&D`-1&"YE.F,GILR`6H%7@`P;///G`,"]'^9?HA!Z5B M<`&J$3S00!8(&.!JGV')6L`!"(#*X:1C"JOFIV$W3K@!=&NGM&I;9-.^_"#(O@```.*`)>1@@8##'!UWDC4G031@!?^Q`H2`("*X4:@ M?:+7C$=^1"H`3%"@Y#XT;2ENF'<^!`;^@8KI^1""3T[XZ*@K^X&G`4&=^B.: M/_WZ[#5T<```G-/^0^E'P(NU[I&G<$$`!=P+O`^.5^CZ\:D_W,#ES-_`NQ&0 M1Y_ZR"5;#\3T19RN_>LV'_#*]SP@?/C=Y'ON00-)0Y\^#=P34?W[@.]=-1CT M]Q"_$##GC_G8",C#[_PGG-CY*'<$;!N(D":W!/)@?T*8GP.EQC1H0``2$"%.]`@$#@(PWBMB0!6&"`, M95B"4R#@&!-@TL\Z<)K4E("&-4Q6!`#0NB3>P'PY\(`!9%2`]5V`"W+1@`'& M1X(4.A%9*>C^`*@0^,4:&#`''+",6SXQ-+ MZ(,-*$!I<0@B&XNA,#^D2!`8^XX?$JD"1N;(!%JC%B0=>;%)XBL^O'&D)C5) M,4I&LI&6G`\D.XE(^E02.)9$02*=!Z+=>/*2L(RD)V=)0OET,CN<+*6H,/D? M0\SGEY/L`P])8($$7)$Y"QB&08PX@@$#!"@*?!IO`]D M8)W1'($&L,F`!>#O"@359HZZ^:UOAG,!+UP!!`QU3A*H\UOM%,'^.]DI3WK: MM!K9M.(ZS.G0[/YPA%`P)P26`,`+#!/=I)@ M`O!T0$>[R8")W9.H7"0(0?OY3Y*F]`,KS>851>#2;YD,&41=P#?+^:V(BF"B MWT+G!RZZ``C\%*1"'<$\&?I1I(Z`(-!]G0EG:R6I,L:DV;6=9N-K6D?>UD/V"S+7YVM:?-;6E%Z]K/\A:WK06N M;'4[W-T:M[6_)>XP13`:T*"BF`D`0Q?^_@%)).IQ1>QKIP[MF+P#BO"Z"])` MU:8*WA@Z#0B?&(%URQN;%`"0DNR%'V!-M[;X*@A$<&O@=L';W3)ARKX8JN`% M`8R#,Q:KD`3.FD8!$,($ZV"Y/%BO@RG5PG%.&';S[5U]+XP+T`T@AQPN<(:I M1\80H^RK`"BJB3-X7O^NV!9A'..+]]@C"`B``#@F@`$<4#;^27C&3L#C7(%L M@QZQ#RH**4"/-UAB(HOA`0"HIY.EUYD4L$\5RJ"`0R*VW^IN>,I(^`W)=@IF M*H^`?0HPSL,&T.43_+C,0[```&P+YTH(R,J*ZXW-`'#0#?ZWSD7HEZ#7U[[O M`CIHYT6S<8K^1&8??_G0COK`!`#PJCX-(``".":D9W#G#RAZ!/7BLZ%IX,5- M]V")',*9J4'1:47'9XD"6/(/WKSJ&*#:07)K,Y&-G&<_%(#!W4-PK?7P@<1Q MR*S#?H'YV&<`"DP@B`KILY^33>P1((U#N::V"UIMI$;+K\G:EL$&&@`LA8@U MW"SHD04>`*U;O4+7**@CND<):E`-@`(2"`".DQ0`"\][!!#>`:V3K9X!?`I_ MJO7LO*%HRF"/>M-[&"A#',!%>!\ZX%&4][\],(=@4:#A__X0'V478`N:,L.J8'H=.3EOFW)K(%K)=ZQGNX`*@((`'SV#W2%.(` MFPZP`@V4W4-1=,'`V:L;"1BPIUH'5&#/-'S"H`O+0 M@#\C`^X)_J?,(7#U[B>!0GD7$^U&UAB M(PEW68VB`@LX60]87'X0@0XH@:YD@1`X6AZP@,$E7,B@@14X6B)821[`>51VDP-0F475DT\4&6 M#N)SPZ>6$_*3-NF1M/,'#9)J=HD+4'0!$D!>2/!WZB,(I.``!U!N$/*7MQ`[ M*0`J`C@X>LDXB(0!$:``!D<\4!(JCOF8[D)UDUF848!US.69GWEB9"*94XE"E0DV@M`!&``!"<`F`6``#6`!:6ER%%`!%'"O09H;H`1:"" M`'DA(X/E<,DB"!N0FM?9FJ_YGR*:)MYI)%X501=Z(2MY`;ZYF3M6`<4)H3-J M!O`)1S)'+FSB;QTI))U`G=;I$`00!_ZI2D.ZHDYW,5BR@$HX0^[W&LLP#=/0 M"1UP`0^```IZGL1);U4::"$JH5*9(`E!+@$P`/W0)?CI$/O9G]NYIO("EBC4 MI:[Q:PX2`!3P``>@H`SJH&K*ITK@`1+```\`H@<3E5"`(KEY"QP*(PQ``1O@ M6(QZ.`DA$=+^E@9^:@,%&@8>(*@+$0#]%).?VJA!LS'-6:DW"1N9*A$")*2O M6@+3\`&W,ZBM.JFE6@.GRH\>T$(<$@#%N:M-<*RX8Z0.(@#+2J0L\Y;%Z@0> M=@`YMB>+Q:S>QUST%S0_-S8.L@"/>7-,T#^ZN@.LTQW>V@0;0@#!NCH\$4=N M0ZGIY)IJ$S8<<#LY^JY$P$9OX`%&^>T!I%*IH-VZ9AA@Q(HUT2"ZN>\C/K>@0"&J(KN$C\4H\5^0$"%K)+P`'Q M"(W"YZJOD3P4>@,:\#QC50`(8*[_1WNBL'GJNXK*N[CQN"PWL%O4L"H(M:DU9%6-J\7'"\R`"^HIN[SLL. MG^NXN#N]HAN\'7B]QIN\>RN?-/"W(O+^%GLX1[KAA=CDAW'54E8YBESP4.\! M3MF$B%W5&^PC`/KJ3M0$J73XC-38`)D(30SP;OY$30&U-QAL5U3UOYHVC,F4 M(US%GZC8P&[8P,B6`LT83VKE42-P5-U4-G"UOR;5BR7U*!ML368(CMGT7QXP MPA9V4]UTPMT4AXWHC$,%364#PWA()(;23=@85Z*S4OTK''+'5R#R4+D#-P0` M31_W5=E$Q)!Z5MWT`!,S#%;95B&5AQ0,AAC,`$]U37$UB#MLB(787U1G`'/2 M'I):`AD`#&*4G&]03N](CV'7!),60'2+7K/1;PP#F?[0;3?:`FDD`AA`P\Y2 M4E@[MI'FK.?^IK6/@#QUYBER,X%(.SFB0"8.P"3I0B@3.00L.08>UG>+O$=^ M0`%YL`"^8+/U>:7Y4EFCY[`5@V)-5,LZH'C\MS0H:1]N>3AW"P"';,S.<7*J M<(+U)S/#2FK"/`00R\GO^B8?8`$!8,928Y$>$\WH%0R%)LTU,#8#>LJNDL^PL.8@9?80`W;36.?)'>T';+<0!'#-ZN-T>)8`+10Q),8_IA`Z MW@R@!'MD<^*AZAMDI3&313,OU$37T&9[1G MB*L0A'G3HCQFJS'81@?,B?,&5^"R;))DA9T+%U"A:8"SZ?>=H,*SS1QIW0S9 MM28(#R,W&?!SV'M3.14V,4UU5TVJPH+,SG2H,I?9.B"6*_"QB]P!$:`6GO8` MTVK:(@<#6(EOZ:Y>R78@6-JBI]!5-*)*XR$8&R8V_E M()S=,K7Q(I:#TM(ZVI/@T$J:M)`$*I9#(V2`-8*Y*N+B)Z*V-PXP`1<@WX*@ M+@N!CK3-7.S68T(=J4")`QL]MY\Z&DI6;!=0LGUK;91NYA M)2J2?:IBE0=!FR2]L9F"TJ*-;F^I`0X@-QA`>_`FWY>PGAR0`6?'C!`A`#ZK M`!:6)2#W&CWR2=T=84KM?#I]WW#V0>A<"2I0`?>27[:DIBLY'`6@U!X0`0R0 M``9`B3('AA.PCNMIYJD4YF3@SS$0W3]U,[H-<0.`?.CU"G(-`"">SN%\,YU+ MY1)@)V9J5B#^<@`'\(AR@`'3>]Q62N@PL%Y:7=WV)0AY1Y#*%EO4RW%[@KB* MB@QA$B9^47@$70"6[SD4=D)S`7@&A^E\/(W.+G@`,``&C"@HS0^HO<-=K M,@#]!VE<(JA8GF,"@'ZK,*=]DQ,%#E5/L:H6#&L?$1%IM@*W4^Z8!LW"D0&8 M9FE_@GQY$>J7@.I`8LY=DYLC&^,FM@\>D`&%F@`$@#_-S40!(P$1P$QR[H-V`*_JA!?)NAM9B/)L@XEV MEKI+V75A*J+D`C\1!`"`S+XO(+&#/E/_+%JCH-GZ"<"NQ/V"]64W=\ M!95T'*W[9V+BJ<0O1K\`!@"^9#&:P5`)Q%P9,\]`A70 MFB*@!;:3?B!@?8?V>=\$J"O0?"\>ZSO?SQK`@?-D**43!D!`-":8 MSHD6C>:H4LP#\Y&P5,*7U2<>D\OF,SIM.SD(ID^CJUKH,(H/)_%:7!8=>,5; M2I=+F-HA8J):G,!&3`<&116H8*)Q``@.`APL,_)YQU>+#L M5\6`>,1=]%;3(KEVY[I18:?-WCU[U802S`>06\QY\3:HFVDSYU.!-#7RI/J, MZ,=V6*?UD]GUC2Q:`((M1`4A!["%H3XHT+"@!!\8RE8,R/B+00,'#'CA:9"7 MP84W'1P0'C;OP=\),2`P<-!`0@P)C1F/VZN_O7 MKH:\>OER\*LW\#K">@.!0:Q7,0P(`U8$<"=A`5[(,#;[S?RF`F)OFZ$G`"`@`PH+&/)"<,#:L=[&@3R`-UP[\6*_CR-?KOQBPF7^XR^0@U>> MUZ\ZT8X;E-:`5R]V+VS@VE[DE*<*>7_19H)M#"@610271<">7NY]0!QF5-"7 MEW*7-9#??PV@-AH#=@WH5X$G#/87@N6-9\PL)\1QQTJ[G<7)"[[`T0`$>CRP M@`0'@/%!!'($<(`$=L&R)).;;$<`(36LY`,G%F%@P`$G)$!`(!V4MD:388HY M)ID[M"$6C2;L]L`;-G!0B@G=J20!?XO)40!"``R@!8XW]"G%##@*"FB@0TA) M:*'-#&E"`0!@68`!!A100)9M&G+I/#1T<,M(`+")P0(3]!D&IHN:FBBJBAX* MI@RB'!@P04!-("!!11- MD`$#"EQCQ9]E6JN#!_;$8(&28@RZ!9(?5.#H'QA@P.NUZ:J[;IELS)()M09Y MB^L,`R#S")3844``!$I6RRZ['O010`&8_LM)!Q>4<($``_S!P`$B9`OHOP!; M?#'&/IPY9K8"W-O,!2,-@`H!#W2;,<`>6+``*D@VU6H%$9VJ:00-_$$2FQI` M$#*L*/O\,]#8PMBN`"]*P0``%7#P@`%*/-!4Q4&;$0;2`!PP@4PT<-"H"FOE M\X)N;#*,P#?IH"LUVFFK#4-897J,UA^$7?!`T;/.O#89G#@@@4PXZL*"`\A^ MD$1O'SR08L_^>"N^^,7N6OOV#EQ`9H4D_C+.PS05(&#`V39TD&<70KS)T>6E MFP[TQF1"OL/$#10`6P4D.W#RZ5)24!T`"8A$KZX"QMZ%`:S6/CSQ9#KNMM$\ M8'!`(2=HT(82#@3(^]IA4$!2`+H?K"@$8RW0Q811%S\^^:NT37TKJ\_;_80O M:/!`HZJ@_S,G""!@`;61#P`9LWAP/9;XRB?``6YB:('JU2H\4+ MI@8%+@@10(CC#R``I>N8T5H'X.&YQ."?4E1`1&D\)"(+>"89Y8X<"E#`EQ#Q MPD,T4%0>>$"`J*"STDSL;H@(@P8D0`4.3$-X'Y#@!Q"PP$2RLI4].%_WQO(L M&/K@B8KH0-/X!*@&"."&3-)9HPB0-5,*9#=:Z)LKDZE,19V/`[M9`0$64,%/ MKM(53Q"&*$^U`0A8<5FTU('.H&3#:>[`+7K((.V6J18,0\L(`!:P(#E5*K4A0XM&2I`!@<:HA!J?DQ, M$W/`*A$XG$8)P)N#`P`"YK&=W12@7PB54@7.TH$$\&VI;E5GZCS0$.M`24]R M5$,UR[0!!;B@`W<%1P2XZ@"2`$`$$$!%6=.)*K^B`(!O?2Q<4Q@G/`6```R( MI"3AQ"XNN"!7'`CL"L(*@:>=U0;!6DA!(*M:1!ZO53=U8E7;!88)]!4V=IO2 M]U9@6YQ*07/^6IA`6SVYVN$6\7RGLF<.9*JN"Y#+!A;HPAAUD+"%#``!BB4N M=L]H7#$I5[;NBT"V@MLF"SQ@M!`X[S#S]]P!3&E^V7WO`%L[IDEFS)V[N6X. M*E``9FQ@=_#];R)3-]\Z^LP#%8B;*CHP@6-H(HA+ M5QK269X!H,=P@`0DH!0)B!N!+^SG5:]:SI240`8V8``[Q"V?,!@`!#9`P8)D M(`,:N"88>MUK=3C#UQ@@M@9ZC8$O_3K9S#:VDI(M;7!@H-<[8;`!I&8#'+[V]2BM#>YW5+O; M_!9VN(W-:V4C.]M-238%GVWM=T.;&\)6$K;O/ M&$`"'D`8$V'&,;H]?F0W3Y"=X#9#Y_V7R2=[?)V^[(,%/6E@[T!=L>[U&.P]R;$@+:$`?S6 M'3!X<14][&,_O$H&=_;^%-V0`H+\T2%/^:A?/NI&ED#4K>YY!X!>\%."*-BG M='K"3'#U;TA-U(^`AZ0;_1V';\#2,?\BG/O3`.<-:P02`($9MFK-K/Y^E4V, M!@Z@5^MEIP'^Y#:X*%*A2_V1;F^FVD^Q`])?"JXBE7#QCU/XQS]1!K/5I"?`$;:W'E::=U?_2'@`:H*^X%)`&Z:I6P:_Z%/!+^6!E&HB5> M3"":P1U>(B2R:6P2:.(BJB$-&`82JVXDPYV09FFBO.H@V4 M(AF<(BWFHAA,(J:]`"[J(C`:BBV.02(&HS%JC&3%XC$N8QD,(Y44(S-&8Z$X M8RU5HC1>8PU08P\\(C9VHS$0&1-ZHSC^63*&R2^.XRPN82Q."3N6E*6T5SO& M(SS"XP'*XSL>("GU"CO.XP3&X]SQHS[6XS_>HXR90#[6(T`.B3^N1$(*I#T6 M9$"N!"D-)$0JI$.Z8T5>Y#X2I$7NXT2Z(T9VI$,VY$)29";THT:.`T.BY$*2 MI$:&)$Q^8BO8R^F@W>G8C.F\D2P:3V?^E4YK!`W\M,L`*$`$E%=YG1=2)J52 M+N5Y'253/N52.B540F4!B)Y43N537B56,J56;N52&D!7>J5YB656DN56@J59 M-F5:1N5:LB52,LU8;F58DN5%@]VFB`:=9(S M%.1$0&<6G1O^!N*!.FS`,`7,N16D>LK;>F;1*''2"6P`2;T6>PH$?9I"`V5# M=T[-?)XG1Y!."76`M)P2J2'`'R!+!6`);=A!QJQ5N2!``BBHN#"+@QI#`AA` M$P$,,"!!@OX!!6``%R$`=C!``AP`D*F+:&A=BG;6!+S/`2``FA4`9BV7L$C` MB[Z`!SW`C):``52H_+!+(;V`CB*`L'C0`AR``LA(A6+1`&D`)9S``@0"CQ") M!IS:!@A)!2P!QF3`E'Y``HC`E4(`!RCH!B0`!H05!W".Q5S)NXPI'+!)!*RI MN)2('EC`1+&+!0C`'3#$-QR`%D2`GJ*`L/#2C$/>Y*S-00!&PR:Z*RP%\@;&^ MP06$BP1LP`2C([`:[B8A`2TA2@U`#/\)PA2ZPE80,9Z@-/! MJ^B]S@)0&1H>J*1FA`>ME0FF&H'C);(;L):6$#%GD4? MN.N\F8`!_)6U4.L6,,`UG`6P#@X#2$`!L(S7`$P&N!2=_,'/DM[@-"F(8@RX M?D!WN--9[,T61(`$0$8&O&I\G2H".,`%.$%E+(!C"$L>U)>%'L`#6,`$C.H+ MC(:(%(`%4,"Z6HL'<)_U`6X%3,X!9!_?&`"PNM2;_FD!_"H%""Y#2``"*(9Z M(L"*I@N$;@`!4$`%,&N71"X"Z"OE?B[9TH$&<$GJ3H`(7,D$&$`VW`]1%M'N M+!AA5$!&W!UXK4/B7LONX!YA&`$8G!<>=`?O!:VW((,$@!T%N`,''$..1"_& M<$"7C);H78#^.SR/D1U8]P8"^;F=!5S#!F@OO*;L^9K"X3V`^:H>+V"`^U:G M_K*"]-)/"-X*T.3F!>:G12YG@3WG=N:F<%E,!3;G_CXP!$>P!$\P!5>P!5\P M!F>P!F\P!W>P!W\P"(>P"+M"MI2P"9\P"J>P"J\P"[>P"[\P#,>P#,\P#=>P M#=\P#N>P#N\P#_>P#_\P?H;)`_`5`Q2Q$1\Q$B>Q$B\Q$S>Q$S\Q%$>Q%$\Q M%5>Q%5\Q%F>Q%F\Q%W>Q%W]Q%S=``N`&F;B>5E&/`R]:`EI@K33G:Y92<)H* M',]**1&@IX":7 MB>LE5$!*3?]:E:%482N3R24OF0=01%&H!$4\PSE<0SD,1*M01*MP!!0HA4$^ M@M?VA`FD7C)#`3P,LTQ\Y"X7Q3P$1#*O`Q4P1:9X24]4P[3\"`@QP`(L@`)(JPY$0``@P&920`>X`074\^8TZA9DP#BT[`C,C:0(``(HP`04 MS`L\P$190#U30CXI@`!$@0*DT*R)74/^$T"3F@`#-#2'O@`"+`$"U-069(\J M=2CXA;*UD/(ZWT`<=$$H"J.EXL$`;$'/?H`!@%Q>,H+)`$=7`T8L%<*",L"L`GE&NE4?_4O"%$8"8G8L9?_ MV,(>`$#[9/7/C8??BNE-SZYBO,Y:"P"1!,,%^'4)GK.8(+42PH$0`!!-(VZ\6L3,!$>0D'"!,,7$#PV(]BV$$!>._5_L$#(``=P.Y" M:'0$O#-D*,!9U/5GNY,``(/+4L`870#W1<#.%0MP'P!V%(`&Y()@A(-&OX$% M!(\!8,+L/K;^0+#V9(LR+*1S&F4``30FC['``##F$I12]_3S+NMS2RT`EH21 M_>Q<3EDN&_3D7K?):D=5;QL.!!C`!E"``@1.AO7(".!&/I_$`JRVK=(U;>AH MYV6/##S7`?P1FZ12*4@WAVO.!T@W863*!(15%&A`P1R``<"S`$Q(!'B1`O#+ M"E)VF-0)&I%?NB)E!.3XCD?`7+$`L?*X4NYX-L4`9R>S9Y`>]:Y>'`JE%0E@I MP(9K0%0S=\T2P(0<0)K/B@&(&(B?@`)0`&I/1)"(Z81H@`$,@*\-P#@TP!UD M+@PD@!#4NONX@:O/\G#1^"BK``%D``?@TP<0.W*SA6-[[BGMEQY-"`0$0Q)`AG!G MWZQD]0'VJ6/$M`=L]UMO`+'R*`!H@1XU0$\[0@84@+NO!PQ*^WC# M`;4?D@;$:[Q>0+.,P:\U@PBL?([(DP7^M*TZN+P,A-($$%O,\\4%+.B"[G)@ M:,#/\X*")8G[\`6WP.LXT/P+[+P,<`!PM>T?[,X)B&^\&=@UV'Q!/*[1JX-( M*'T))GH9>[)UD@^T6UE:'?7(,]6CIP'_F;)TRB8?/WH!7J=QKKTYB_>2+/HG M$R+8H[/([WTD@OR2V#C@*Z+@PX+>C]EP;@\#'J<#\A;<-Z`ACV+?5W;:BUG9 M@_#AO^(KH]0EF<$%+$@%C&^1X\'&PH;.G-=N9>N[;2PY#4ZZ.H**1"S^O([/AYJ20E8PT,9$"Z!L@%4%!Y;2S:`7]3#BDG;KXK$/YW5L&%1/P1(4U& M"+=+T`:'25W^`C!#OS--3S;--4@``6"&`3PU>?"+2R_,0T#`NRL07]LJ`(B= M`)17BBY$0T_Y:(L+O^2N8LSU3S$`"`B/TS4&]#35Q[;N"\?R3-?VC>?ZSO>M M][%`?$270U-,*I-34(#4<7!G<=!RH-$@!D11\'%`]W'QQ_#`HF$0M3#$]`D: M*CKZ*41ZT[!QNKKDT='A$0L+ZQ([`8!KX1K%(CO+:];GU6:P8F'P88!D]W`1 M]=#XT8"Y,'&!2&8&-)$0[-"@S7+<^X%A0+C0-L&P:5'0P>'.(1C^#*@!03"1 M$<7P]Y%QAP4#!!4F2(C#*J'"A0QEF&KHH@%"B!1A8``0(`"NC``"`G&`$1=& M`0#``3F#D6-`%YW.>+CR0<$"#P@\:8!6`!.T8"/T6,`@P,.#+U'&L5B`B1P% M!/4V%.!0K,J"1QTN(CA00!>!#BY@6FB@X$":?ID*\"/0@($""Q7;NGV;`\C# MBD?@NO5P`0.&O'PQ\"HA$A<$#!/U]O7[HP\F"`-7$$BPX`"B"QS`P(D030$% MH`L6"+"&[`/7!U6`1"A=SL$&CQ\H'#C#88$%!1P,(7)A@"V0VAPN#FEW(!-IQF<0%2 M@@DL*B`S``Y#@0$8@G48P+X#`6H(N&(8P-8`'4PP``0>#."!4<%00-\''"#P MA0+L?2!!<<-I``D0VL4"C'0>?AA**&#``0804%\=DJ'5BP-%SF&&`1QP$$!]9EW0 MS0L3//D`$!TPT,`!`Z0Q32:A?>#``%<5@%V);KZI@UR>T*4*G';6$,L/>>H) MQ@8MND++GKVTR%4&:;Q`2RV_D5//22Z*=F('?@Z:6"_PO++HG9INVH*("SU7 M)Z>BXO#H)[S^E'H#JJ.NRNH,GC)45ZNRCJ+JK+;>"HJ<;I&(:Z^^_@HL7*\N MI%JPQAZ+;+)*#,O*J!,@H("YP5VU@+T?D/9#!`@@ MT(#!Y1AP%0+U;;,)"SL!P8`&&(S7@<3!?*6O/T-VH,E5"60@$,0(&$`8`E&L M->^\U5;$:[BG5LI"!DX$D(#!-^-,3@,`K)`,T0L``.,Q&700`3(/)$"R`V:) M9H``*'^0P`$9:.#`5BU08,`&-Q7'0@(!&`T`6X`8BHQ^Y/X;27?^9FQEAP8: M$(A$`1-LL#57"8#SP&TQSVM!4C2'.O@+'`P0F.`[,!!99<4X6$`%KU%8!G!C M9+X>A9=\X8X+9#ERFU-<89&1544%D$@>&2QMUI)$@!$AI0H#8Y"D@@0163 MGX=`&AUDW0`%0%R,YA\)$`;)4.%\!T0%`*P1@"<,2`#;!PA0@!D]:.`"!#`` M@K2$B`)@H$P"DD\+),"4`AA``0E(0!PN`(!)#$]<,Z/(M;"%@0`,``D,`,`7 MWE`E?4T/`.R1'E.2P<+6`&!J+!D"RPC^$HD#2*``XW$#!1+@M&@XH$L!&"(` M-!#`*+BF!<'9RU)400`&1"``[$F`!':GM8M4H`'@4`I3V4KESP3%:3$!M7]J`!%P9S2`X MH#-(N(!,%(`)#CA`=G51Y@+"1P<@:&`!#ZV/`RI3Q@Q8`PP+(%GLNL`'#+3A M`5?;P$QBP]$&_(8TG4F`!4Q11@WBTUWD@L@'=[HI5P!UJ&VII2B<-=0WLJ@6 MC#J7H%J$)VUIZUM4?0%4!14,K!(U6OILR$^W"M:PQLRHH?B(*I0JUK2JU59D M%05T9!>./R'G9G#-DUQ_UJBZ\JE1B:FK7^=:*;LV=4]0)<=?[XHSV2$VKI1B M+&,/2RFY.E:PD'UL7B^KV,AJMK*"'6Q6->M8P$YVKX7][&([*]I,SMZ1KX;% M+&@!R]G,GA:J%>AI0XZWUMSJ-HZV90@C1N"`X`IWN,0MKG&/B]SD*G>YS&VN ;A*=[K4K:YUKXO=[&IWN]A]6@1"```[ ` end
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----